[DASCHUND]

My dog is a daschund, and he is overweight, he should only weigh at least 10 pounds but he weighs 21, he has fat hanging from his belly (alot of fat), he is very active runs fast and everything but he is growing stretch marks and he is only 2 years old. What should I do about my fat dog?:confused:

[Akoue]

It sounds like it would be a good idea to consult with your vet. Morbid obesity is really dangerous and you may need to adjust your feeding schedule (and portions) or get him on a special diet. It's also probably a good idea to have the vet do some blood work.

[teachnk]

It sounds like the dog is being seriously overfed. I would cut way back on the dog chow and cut out all "people" food if currently being given. If you have more than one dog you might need to separate them during feeding time to ensure he is only eating what he's supposed to eat. Daschunds weight is a very serious issue, since they are prone to back problems. Please see a vet to check for other possible causes and/or health concerns. A professional can help you make decisions on portions and get your dog back to a healthy weight and prolong his life.

[mrscoltweaver]

OK, first things first. No treats, no people food, a PRESCRIPTION diet such as Purina OM, etc. The lite formula still has too many calories. Let the vet tell you exactly how much to feed. You can add canned green beans, too to fill him up. Have his Thyroid level checked, though-wouldn't that be nice if a supplement could fix this?

[starbuck8]

I'm also curious as to what you are feeding him and how much. Definitely get his thyroid checked. My dog doesn't overeat, and actually gets fed an organic/all natural diet with no fillers, and extra vitamins and nutrients, and she gained 11lbs in a yr. It turned out she has a thyroid condition, and has to take meds.

Also, you say he runs fast, but how often are you exercising hin? She needs to get out for a fast paced walk or run for at least an hour everyday. You can shorten this by using rollerblades, a bike, swimming pool if one is available, etc. You can also get him used to a treadmill if you have one!

You want him to be around as long as possible, so his diet and exercise are very important! :)