Fat Shelties

[BarbV]

Ha! When they're hungry, they'll try anything. Layla even worried down a green bean the other day. Barb, they're just gonna have to suck it up!

According to Ann, they actually DO suck it up....that is, YOUR food (when you're not looking!)

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I was horrified when the vet told me that Sadie and Ginny both needed to lose weight, I felt like such a bad sheltie Mom.

As a pup Ginny had needed to put on weight, then once she did I just never adjusted down the quantity of her food.

Sadie gained weight after her stroke, when she became MUCH less active than she used to be. This made me feel especially bad, since her back end is weak and carrying the extra weight makes getting around that much harder for her.

Its taken me months (which felt like years) to finally get their weights under control. Ginny was easy, I just decreased her food and added in beans. Sadie, not so much and it didn't help when I realized my dh was feeding her too much.

But almost 6 months later I FINALLY have them down to their ideal weights.

Those of you who are going through what I did, don't give up! You can do it! Just substitute in green beans in place of the kibble you've removed and give them healthy, low fat treats like carrots or dehydrated beef liver if you need the occasional high value treat.

I switched to Orijen 6 Fish about 3 months ago and my three go absolutely crazy for it. Because its so healthy you may want to consider buying a bag and using the individual kibbles as treats.

Good luck every body!

 

[Ann]

You FINISHED it after she had her face in it!!! Do you know where her tongue was before she got into your soup bowl!

Ah, but you have to know that Countess Checkers would be happy if each piece of her kibble was served wrapped in a pretty little piece of foil and tied with a ribbon. Her mouth is probably cleaner than mine. She is the most meticulous Sheltie I have ever met. If we offer her a piece of food on a fork she has to sniff it for at least a minute before she deigns to eat it. You'd think it was a fine wine.

Dainty little Pixie, on the other hand, was just eating cat puke in the garage. Now that's a mouth I wouldn't share with!

 

[Diana]

Ah, but you have to know that Countess Checkers would be happy if each piece of her kibble was served wrapped in a pretty little piece of foil and tied with a ribbon. Her mouth is probably cleaner than mine. She is the most meticulous Sheltie I have ever met. If we offer her a piece of food on a fork she has to sniff it for at least a minute before she deigns to eat it. You'd think it was a fine wine.

Oh, is Checkers related to Princess Buffy? Or our other dog, Lady Abigail?

 

[Emma]

I have been working really hard to get weight off of Emma for the past few weeks....I changed her food to Blue Buffalo, cut it way back....about 3/4 cup 2 x a day, added VP to it, have been walking her everyday (unless it rains), rarely gets a treat, ignoring the big beautiful eyes that looks like they are starving and she has gained 1/2 pound!! And I have gained 3 pounds!!! and my eating habits didn't change!!

?????? Going to get green beans tomorrow!!

 

[take4roll10]

I would try cutting her back to 1/2 a cup twice a day. 3/4 may still be too much for her. Supplement with pumpkin or green beans. good luck!

 

[Emmasmom]

My Emma and Liam get 1/3 c twice a day with frozen green beans and a teaspoon of pumpkin or squash each meal. They only get three Mother Hubbard treats a day each, unless we go to church on Sunday (if Dad is well enough), in which case they each get a Kong with a tsp of peanut butter. Emma has done well and is down to what I like her to be when I feel her. Liam has gained some so I have cut him back - he needed to gain some but he is a very active dog.

 

[Emma]

Sorry for the obvious question; just making sure....is that canned pumpkin? baby food pumpkin?

 

[Emmasmom]

Most of us use canned pumpkin - just make sure it is pure pumpkin. When I do squash, I cook my own. I also had some frozen pure pumpkin that my Mom had done and I wanted to use it up as it was getting older.

 

[Chris]

I think Shelties are also built to absorb everything they can from their food. It has to do with being from the Shetland Islands and having to survive in harsh weather on barely any food.

My Shetland Pony ate NOTHING and still looked like a chunky monkey pony monster.

I never thought of that! I'll bet you're right!