Large Sheltie

When you feel for ribs I think it's easier to feel low down, rather than towards the spine where there's more fur. I was over-estimating Tully's weight because she has such a dense coat, but if I feel lower down I can definitely feel the ribs, she also has a nice 'tuck'. Vet told me yesterday to increase her food as she'd lost too much, and after Deska got sick and was so skinny I think I'll stop erring on the skinny side.

When she was younger Tully ate the same as Deska, even though she was half his size, and I still had trouble keeping food on her. Then when she got to about 5-6yrs old I had to cut Tully back by half as she wasn't burning it off. So it does depend a lot on the dog.

Funny thing too about big bones. Visually Deska looked big boned and Tully fine boned. But when Deska got his legs shaved for surgery I was amazed how skinny they were under the fur. And when Tully had a hip replacement they had trouble finding the right joint because the specialist said her bones were as thick as a Kelpie (a sheepdog the size of a border collie), even tho she was a third of the size. So turns out you can't tell if a dog is big boned.
 
SheepOfBlue said:
All my guys think they are starving at all times even when to heavy (yes that means YOU Spitfire Exquire who is soon on a diet)
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OMG you'd think Piper was starving all the time too! He's now overweight and I've put him on a diet (I'm lucky he likes veggies). I'm also spacing their meals 12 hours apart (10 am/10 pm) with the exception of a veggie meal (a mix of chopped veggies with a tbsp of yogurt)..no sweet veggies though.
When I do it this way he thinks he's getting more.

Now if I can just convince my 90 yr old mother that he's REALLY not hungry! She's part of the problem (when I'm working)!
 
Kelsey said:
His ribs are not immediately apparent when I run my hands over him; I have to feel for them.
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If you have to use pressure to feel the ribs then he's probably overweight.
Cut down the food and add some chopped veggies so he thinks he's still getting the same amount, or use veggies as treats.
 
Shelby is 25 pounds and 16 inches. We feed her 1/2 cup twice a day along with treats. Vet is leased with this weight, actually prefers her about a pound or so heavier but this is pretty much where she stays. She always acts like she is starving too.

Fortunately for us she LOVES veggies. So often she gets a veggie treat.
 
Minnie 43 cm (16,93in) and 11,8 kg (26 lb)
get 2 x 1/2 cup + about 1/4 cup of the same pills as treats during the day (150gr)

I see now that it is almost the same as Shelby´s mom :wink2:
 
I'd suggest no asparagus, broccoli or mushrooms since AKC doesn't recommend them as much as other veggies:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/

My Sable guy is 8 and bit overweight at ~50, although he is large at 20-21". He gets about 1.25 cups a day, or was, however daily activity is much lower since we are no longer 3-4 min from the dog park.
Just started him on 1-1.5 cups vegetables and .25 kibble per meal.
Read somewhere that we aren't supposed to overdo vegetables for some reason, however not sure that makes sense.
He'll chomp those Costco Cadet bullysticks in 10-15 minutes though, didn't think they were high calorie...

I use a food processor, almost to puree and add .25 water to it which doesn't seem to bother him.
Also Costco fish oil cap, and 1/3 1500mg Glucosamine/MSM 1x day.
I take Milk Thistle, so will be adding that as well.

ghggp said:
These are the 10 best vegetables for dogs to add to your pet's diet:

  1. Asparagus
    Add one to two ounces of lightly steamed asparagus tips (cut into small pieces to prevent choking) to add variety, flavor, vitamins, and minerals to a dog's meal. Sometimes a new flavor or texture is all it takes to renew interest in his usual food.
  2. Broccoli
    Broccoli stalks boost immunity, help ward off cancer and fight arthritic inflammation. Also, chewing on stalks creates a natural, plaque-fighting toothbrush! Beware: too much broccoli, especially the heads, can upset the digestive system and cause major gas. Broccoli should make up less than 5 percent of your dog's food intake.
  3. Carrots
    Chewing raw, crunchy carrots eases anxiety and cleans teeth! Eating carrots is great for eyesight and boosts the immune system with antioxidants. Some dogs find raw carrots hard to chew and can choke. If you see undigested carrot pieces in stool, chop into smaller pieces and serve cooked, which can also help avoid choking. The Nest recommends giving a dog one carrot, pureed, only every two days or so.
  4. Green Beans
    If your puppy is carrying extra weight, replace up to 5 percent of her food with low-calorie green beans. They're high in fiber to help aid digestion and bowel regulation, and have heart-healthy omega-3s.
  5. Kale
    Kale isn't just a superfood for people! It boasts tons of benefits like fighting heart disease, arthritis, allergies and urinary tract problems. While too much can cause gas and bloating, adding one ounce of steamed, chopped or dried kale to your dog's meal can boost its health value.
  6. Mushrooms
    Button mushrooms can stimulate the immune system and help with allergies. While some mushrooms are great, others are toxic. Talk with your vet before adding mushrooms to your dog's diet to determine what kind and how much you can feed your dog.
  7. Parsley
    Dog breath begone! Parsley is an ideal breath-freshener. It also adds potassium for muscle and joint health and beta carotene for eyes. Add just a sprinkle of chopped parsley to your dog's meal.
  8. Pumpkin
    The high fiber content in pumpkin helps regulate bowels whether your dog is suffering from constipation or diarrhea. Most dogs love the taste of canned, pureed pumpkin! Replace a quarter of your dog's meal with the same amount of canned pumpkin until his system has regulated itself.
  9. Sweet potato
    Cooked mashed or pureed, sweet potato is a healthy and tasty treat that fills a dog's tummy and boosts his system with vitamins, minerals and fiber. A dog could choke on a whole potato, but you can cut it into wedges to prevent that. Replace up to a quarter of your dog's regular food with mashed sweet potatoes to change up her routine while boosting her health at the same time!
  10. Zucchini
    A few ounces of raw or frozen zucchini shredded over a meal adds water and fiber to a dog's diet and fills up his tummy too, keeping him lean.
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Justus is no stranger to the battle of the bulge. At 20" at the withers his high weight was ....52 lbs! He's 45 now and I'm guessing 42 will be slim and trim and even my agility friends will approve. ;)

Now that Flyer has been neutered for a year, he's lost his boyish figure and at 17" he's weighing in at a full 32 lbs... 30 would be better.

They each eat 1/3 cup kibble 2 x day, and more than a handful of snacks, bites, licks, and tastes. (bad me!) Oh ... and the counter surfing (yes, he's that big!) but due to my new "keep the counters clear" practices, the counter surfing is not productive as it once was. :D
 
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