JoC Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 I'm fostering a beautiful but very chubby oldie, and want to know what's the best way to get weight off him? I thought he might enjoy some pressure-free agility at his own pace? Obviously not high jumps or speedy stuff but just to get him to enjoy activity? Are several, small meals a day better than one or two bigger ones? What kind of exercise is best? pavement walking? jogging (he likes to trot)? What's the best food for weight loss? Was thinking of feeding him all his meals in kongs but he wont touch them Anyone who's met me will know that weight loss isn't my specialist subject Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 (edited) Does he like vegetables, cooked or raw? If so, you could substitute half his meal for veggies. You could also use raw marrow bones so he's got something to chew on I guess the exercise depends what he's used to, if he's a podger, maybe walking until he's got some weight off, then up to jogging?? The physio I have taken dogs to swears by slow pavement walking and using inclines etc., for building up muscles, not sure whether it's for slimming down though!! Hydrotherapy is GREAT for getting weight off! Edited April 2, 2007 by Rudi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merledogs Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 Have a look here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoC Posted April 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 Thank you both I think hydro is a great idea, I've noticed he gets a bit stiff after even a little exercise, so it's probably not a good idea to be too strenuous. My vet has a set of scales in their reception, I'm going to ask if he can have weekly weigh ins so I can keep a track of his progress. Wish us luck! Jo and Pudgy Elmer xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona711 Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 You have my full sympathy here Jo getting weight off an overweigh dog is really tough going , i know when i got Storm he was so over weight he would only lumber along very slowly for about 10 minutes then refuse to move , and believe me trying to shift an 80 KG dog is no meant feat I would go really careful with the exercise to start with as you know the extra strain with being overweight will be putting strain on vital organs as well as joints etc As for feeding i put Storm onto Doctor Johns Silver which is only 18 % protien , when he first came to me as a foster he came with a bag of what the previous owner had been feeding him Bakers Complete , which i hasten to add went back with the woman from the rescue . Storm cant tolerate a natural diet at all his poor belly just gets upset with any changes , i have gradually introduced more foods to him , chicken rice etc but i always make sure what ever else he gets i take out of his daily allowance of complete , including training treats , which was a lesson i had to learn pretty quickly when he first came here i didnt even think about all the extra treats he was getting until i realized that even cutting his food down was not enough for him to lose weight . I only use cooked chicken or natural treats with him some low fat biscuits etc as a lot of doggy treats are really high in protein, wish i could discipline myself to have such a low fat diet I do add kelp and alfalfa seeds to both the dogs dinner, along with green lipped muscle and evening primrose oil which are great for joints and since i started adding the green lipped muslce Akira has had no problems with her HD at all Good luck resisting the looks of pure starvation and woe is me im hungry Fiona xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxnjazz Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 No weight loss tips - sorry! Did you forget or did I miss the obligitory photos though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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