[Clough]

Hi, All!

Okay. What sort of tips and tricks do you recommend to controlling the weight of a dog, please?

Exercise. Eating. Things to eat, etc.

Thanks!

[dontknownuthin]

I have a dachshund and weight can be a big concern for their long backs so when my dog put on a couple extra pounds I switched her to ProPlan weight control dry food. I use a measuring cup to make sure I don't over or under feed her (I just leave it in the bag). I avoid giving too many snacks and stick with dog treats (no people food except what she gets accidentally that we might drop on the floor!). I buy small dog treats and break them in half.

[Aurora_Bell]

So what breed, age and sex?
What are you trying to control? Over weight or under?
What type of food are they feeding now? What type of exercise routine?

[dontknownuthin]

My apology - the brand I actually buy is not Pro Plan but rather IAMS. Several premium brands have a low activity version of their food and will tell you on the side of the bag how much per day the dog should have. The bag I have says how much to give the dog to maintain the current weight, and how much for weight loss.

[Aurora_Bell]

Going by what the bag says, isn't always the best!

[Clough]

Alaskan Husky. Eats twice a day, dried food. Treats are cut in two. I'm going to have to look at the bags for the brand. Bags are not near to me right now.

[Aurora_Bell]

HOw much in each serving. And what are you trying to control? And is he over weight or under? And I believe you mentioned male earlier right? And age?

[Clough]

Female, about six years old. She has tended to be overweight, so trying to control that. Under a cup in each serving.

[shazamataz]

Huskies can survive on very little food and do quite well.

Odds are she is just being over fed.
How many serving per day?

How much exercise daily?

[Clough]

Under a cup of dry food each time, twice a day.

Exercise? Hmmm... That's a good question! Probably not much, but will be getting more now since the other alpha dog is gone.

[shazamataz]

Huskies need at least 1-2 hours of solid exercise a day :)
This can be in the form of walking, running, agility, or even chasing a ball in the yard.

They have amazing stamina and can just run and run and run given the chance. 2 servings of 1 cup each time sounds good, but perhaps she just needs more exercise to tone her up and lose some of that puppy fat.

[Clough]

Huskies need at least 1-2 hours of solid exercise a day :)
This can be in the form of walking, running, agility, or even chasing a ball in the yard.

They have amazing stamina and can just run and run and run given the chance. 2 servings of 1 cup each time sounds good, but perhaps she just needs more exercise to tone her up and lose some of that puppy fat.

Well, that should be a lot easier now, since he's the only alpha dog! I've tried to exercise the dogs previously, but there was always this competition thing going on...

Thanks!

[shazamataz]

No problem.

What sort of exercise do you plan on doing with them?

We can brainstorm some ideas if you like.

With mine I take them to the local dog park for a free run a few times a week and in between we play fetch in the backyard (mine are couch potatoes though lol)

[Clough]

It's a big yard. I can run either of them and have the toys to use that they might like to play with.

[Aurora_Bell]

Plus at 6 years it's more important now to have proper exercise, just like humans, as they age, it's harder to loose that fat.

I agree with Shaz, seems like she may just need a little more stimulation to get that extra fat off.

Does she like to swim? Swimming is excellent exercise and very easy on the joints!

[Lucky098]

I have a dog that is a very easy keeper. She will gain weight living off air!

So I did some research. I found that the "weight control" formula foods really do no good if you continue to feed the huge quantities that are causing the dog to gain wait in the first place. Also, most weight control formulas are very low in protein. You want to find a food that is very high in protein. A good example would be Evo Weight Control with a protein level of 52% and fat of 15%. You're also suppose to take what your feeding your dog, and reduce it by 1/4. Feed that diet for two weeks, then get a weight check. If the dog even looses a pound, then you're heading in the right direction. Of coarse, increase exercise levels and get the dog in shape!

However, if the dog is a very active dog and isn't putting on enough weight, then by putting the dog on a diet with a high protein AND moderate fat levels. I do believe chicken is a very good source of "good" fat. And of coarse, Innova/Evo carries that as well :D