Obesity
Jim
years. He and I walk some but probably not enough. I have fed him
Science Diet through the years. Recently I tried Purina Fit N Trim but
he didn't like it. Is there a solution? I know that obesity is the
major cause of health problems in dogs and I would appreciate some
suggestions.
Christopher Strait
likely there is a dog food sold that your yorkie will eat. Remember
always when switching from one food to another you should make the change
gradual, adding more of the new food and reducing the old over a 7 to 10
day period. To make the new food more palatable, try adding a tablespoon
of a canned food to it; then I like to add a bit of water, mix well and
nuke it 'bout 30 seconds, especially if the canned food came chilled from
the fridge, the mixture makes a nice gravy.
Low calorie diets are effective because they are high in bulk, fiber, thus
filling the the pooch's hungry tummy. CAUTION when using grocery dog
foods like Purina Fit 'N Trim: grocery brand ingredients can vary from one
bag to the next. The Fit 'N Trim that you buy today may not be
necessarily the same one you buy in a few weeks. Although nutritionally
it will be the same, many of the ingredients have been rearranged in their
proportions. This is a common practice of producers of grocery brand
foods who buy price fluctuating grains and animal meal at the cheapest
price. Premium brands like Iams, Walthams, Hills Science Diet, Bill Jac
and Nature's Recipee, to name a few, have standard ingredients that don't
change from one bag to the next. The importance of standard or uniform
ingredients is that you don't have to worry if the next bag of your
favorite brand will cause gastrointestinal problems, like diarrhea!
I'm sure you'll have success in the switch. Just remember your dog will
be healthier for it! Expect some reluctance on his part, but don't give
in to his pleas or disinterest. Hunger will eventually overcome most
dog's snootyness towards the new diet. If your yorkie STILL won't eat a
low cal food, then you shouldn't hesitate to consult with your vet.
Let me know how things work out.
Christopher Strait
mve...@inter.nl.net
>I have an older yorkie that has progressively gained weight through the
>years. He and I walk some but probably not enough. I have fed him
>Science Diet through the years. Recently I tried Purina Fit N Trim but
>he didn't like it. Is there a solution? I know that obesity is the
>major cause of health problems in dogs and I would appreciate some
>suggestions.
Try Hill's RD diet, and contact your vet if he's running a program for obese pets and their owners.
Marco Veenis DVM
Jim
### Thanks for the tip. I'll try RD. Do vets typically have programs
for obese dogs? Mine has never mentioned such a program. It makes sense
- a Weight Watchers for the pooch. If there isn't such a program there
should be. Thanks again!!
Phyllis Rayca & Joel Bryan
I believe Hill's does make a Science Diet Light formula, so you may want to look
into using that if your dog has been happy with the regular formula.
You can also continue to use the food he's been eating all along, but reduce the
amount you're feeding him and substitute plain puffed-rice cereal for a portion of
the dry food you were using. If you were feeding him the canned food, you can still
reduce the amount and add the puffed rice cereal in with the canned food.
The puffed rice cereal has no added sugar, and is very low in calories, but provides
the bulk the dog will need to feel "full" after eating, without having a laxative
effect on his bowels. I did this for years with my older GSD to help control her
weight after she was no longer running with my sled dog team, and it worked quite
well and had no adverse effects.
Best of luck to you both,
phyllis rayca
Wirehairs
whether a thyroid test should be performed. Dogs with hypothyroidism
will gain weight even if you put them on diet food. If he is not
hypothyroid, then try Science Diet R/D which is a special food made for
obese animals
CN DVM