View Full Version : Feeding an overweight adult chihuahua
chorkiegirl
Oct 1, 2011, 03:19 PM
Lexee is a 2 1/2 yr old female yorkie/chihuahua - healthy except for being just over a lb overweight. Her vet said to feed her canned dog food - so she will lose weight faster compared to dry food which lexee doesn't really like. What canned food is suitable for weight loss and how much should I give her - her vet says 1/4 cup 2 x a day - should I get canned that is lower in calories - her vet calculated that lexee should get 260 cal/per day for weight loss. She gets 4 walks a day totaling an hour or a bit more
Lucky098
Oct 1, 2011, 03:34 PM
Did they check her thyroid? If not, you should get it checked.
Either change her diet. Veterinary prescribed diet food is probably the best way considering commercial foods for diets aren't that great. You could also feed her a better quality food such as taste of the wild or innova or wellness. It's better quality ingredience help with normal weight maintenance.
I'm not a fan of canned food. I usually feed canned food to help gain weight, not loose.
Increase her cardio :-P make her trot on your walks. That pretty show trot is what makes them work. I know she's little, but she can work a little harder on her walks. Work her up to it, don't make her jog day one.
On her diet, to help her feel full, feed her veggies. Carrots and green beans make great treats.
My fat dogs are on a diet right now too. I decreased their feed by 1/2 cup and increased their exercise. Not a lot of treats either And they have lost a lot of weight.
ballengerb1
Oct 1, 2011, 04:11 PM
I agree, skip the canned food and just reduce her intake of current food. How much exercise are you guys doing each day, increasing exercise will also help greatly.
paleophlatus
Oct 3, 2011, 01:00 AM
Will she chase a ball in the yard? Throwing one is lots easier than jogging alongside her... or even just walking really fast.
Dogs will lose weight faster on food they don't like rather than something they do. Their diet "problems" aren't too much different than ours. Maybe sticking with the food she is used to will be easier... just cut back about 10 % of her previous amounts.
A 10% gain in weight after being spayed is often the case. It is very difficult to set a specific dietary regimen, and have it be correct first try. It is better to start with one, and evaluate it after a couple weeks, unless it turns into a 'gaining' diet sooner. Then modify it accordingly.