Overweight Shetlie

[Jess041]

I have the same gate as McEmily and I use it to keep Missy out of the bathroom where the litter boxes are. She can fit through it and I also had to make modifications. But sometimes my cats just jump over it. They're young though.. 3 and 4.

[*Caro]

Originally Posted by Ann

For some reason, all dogs seem to think cat food is the ultimate treat. It's really very bad for them.

I agree, and you're unlikely to get the weight off while the sheltie can access the cat food. Cat food is often 50% higher in calories than dog food. It may actually a big reason why your Sheltie is putting on weight. Tully was putting on weight at one time and I couldn't work out why - until I found her scaling a 6ft cat climbing tree to get to the cat food at the top!

Can you put a baby gate across the door in one room and feed the cat there? That way the cat can just walk through the bars without having to jump and the dog can't.

[celloyogi]

Originally Posted by *Caro

I agree, and you're unlikely to get the weight off while the sheltie can access the cat food. Cat food is often 50% higher in calories than dog food. It may actually a big reason why your Sheltie is putting on weight. Tully was putting on weight at one time and I couldn't work out why - until I found her scaling a 6ft cat climbing tree to get to the cat food at the top!

Can you put a baby gate across the door in one room and feed the cat there? That way the cat can just walk through the bars without having to jump and the dog can't.

Pleeeeeease tell me you have a picture of Tully in the cat tree?

[*Caro]

lol - wish I did, but I had just come out of the shower and was too darn shocked. Tully is the master of climbing - my fault for taking a smart dog to agility! If only she used her brains for good...

[flowerdigger]

My Bonnie is over weight by about 5 pounds....she was only 18 and 1/2 pounds when I rescued her....I have let her get to many treats and not enough exercise....I am trying to cut down on her meals and treats. I will try the green beans and see if that helps too. She is on the short end of the scale so it is hard to get her to move very fast. Tried to take her cross country skiing but she had too much snow build up on her. I am trying Blue Buffalo right now...so we will see how this does..

[BrendaZ]

It's taken awhile, but from our scales - not the vets and we weighed him the same day as the vet did when I had his Thyroid retested, Shiloh is down about 5 lbs. We have prevented him from stealing the cat foods. The little thief still does steal some of our border collies food, if I don't watch him carefully. (Wish our border collie would just eat when fed instead of taking the whole night to eat.) The weather has also gotten nicer, so Shiloh is able to go on longer walks. He enjoys being able to run off leash with Bandit, He still has more weight to take off. Thanks again for all the tips.

[OntarioSheltie]

Originally Posted by BrendaZ

It's taken awhile, but from our scales - not the vets and we weighed him the same day as the vet did when I had his Thyroid retested, Shiloh is down about 5 lbs. We have prevented him from stealing the cat foods. The little thief still does steal some of our border collies food, if I don't watch him carefully. (Wish our border collie would just eat when fed instead of taking the whole night to eat.) The weather has also gotten nicer, so Shiloh is able to go on longer walks. He enjoys being able to run off leash with Bandit, He still has more weight to take off. Thanks again for all the tips.

Good job! Great to hear!