Un-Pleasingly Plump

Chris

Chris

Premium Member
Since we welcomed Kiyomi and Toshiro into our home while their Daddy has his bone marrow transplant, we've come to realize that our pack (with the exception of Bitsy Boodle) could stand to shed a few pounds. So Layla and Penny get one-third cup of kibble twice daily (down from one-half cup). Layla's is supplemented with a little Fromm soft food. Penny, who is plumpest, gets green beans. Beckon's 3/4 cups are no longer rounded. He's really just a tad heavier than I'd like. Layla isn't plump, but as she ages, I'd like a bit less stress on her joints.

I'm hoping that by September, everyone will be trim and fit!!
 
How is their daddy? Hubby thought Brodie was starting to get a waddle on, so we cut his food back from 1/2 of a cup twice a day to 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/3 cup at night. He trimmed down right away. Hopefully a food change gets quick results in your crew!

Pics!!!!

:)
 
We actually found out Elijah is a bit too thin - he's bigger framed than Faith. So he gets a rounded half cup now twice daily. It is, as you say, so much easier on their joints as they age if they are kept slim and trim.
 
It's such a challenge to keep Shelties at the right weight consistently. Mine only get 1/4 cup of kibble in the morning and freeze dried or fresh at night. Even when they were getting 1/4 cup of kibble twice a day some were porking up. Of course that usually tends to be the seniors who are less active, but it's even harder to get them in shape. I did find that the freeze-dried food seems to help take some weight off and my vet confirmed it.
 
Yes I must say Tully's ribs went on holiday a couple of months ago and I was shocked to see her weight on the weekend - 7.8kg! But it's hard when she's on steroids and eating everything off the ground. When she was 7kg the specialist said she could put on a little weight but with how small she is, almost a kilo is like a me putting on over 10kg! Urg, how to tell a dog on steroids I'm cutting back her food!
 
Chris said:
Since we welcomed Kiyomi and Toshiro into our home while their Daddy has his bone marrow transplant, we've come to realize that our pack (with the exception of Bitsy Boodle) could stand to shed a few pounds. So Layla and Penny get one-third cup of kibble twice daily (down from one-half cup). Layla's is supplemented with a little Fromm soft food. Penny, who is plumpest, gets green beans. Beckon's 3/4 cups are no longer rounded. He's really just a tad heavier than I'd like. Layla isn't plump, but as she ages, I'd like a bit less stress on her joints.

I'm hoping that by September, everyone will be trim and fit!!
Click to expand...
I'm afraid Sandstorm has put on a few pounds since we got Minnie! And he has stolen her food on more than one ocassion. He gets 1/2 cup twice a day and acts like hes starving.
 
My Shelby has always made quick work of cleaning her food bowl. Basically if it will fit in her mouth she will try to eat it. There isn’t much she will spit back out.
She looked good and healthy at 30lbs (she’s a bigger Sheltie) but has been gaining weight as she’s gotten older. I do my best to keep her weight down by substituting some of her kibble with canned green beans (doesn’t like fresh) and fresh baby carrots, which she loves. She sleeps a lot and is having trouble with her hind legs so she isn’t as active as she used to be.

It’s been my observation that Shelties can gain weight easily. I have previously been a boarding kennel supervisor at my vet’s hospital for a number of years and observed a fair number that were overweight.

Mark

https://flic.kr/p/2iLrQWV
 
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Shelby'sDad said:
My Shelby has always made quick work of cleaning her food bowl. Basically if it will fit in her mouth she will try to eat it. There isn’t much she will spit back out.
She looked good and healthy at 30lbs (she’s a bigger Sheltie) but has been gaining weight as she’s gotten older. I do my best to keep her weight down by substituting some of her kibble with canned green beans (doesn’t like fresh) and fresh baby carrots, which she loves. She sleeps a lot and is having trouble with her hind legs so she isn’t as active as she used to be.

It’s been my observation that Shelties can gain weight easily. I have previously been a boarding kennel supervisor at my vet’s hospital for a number of years and observed a fair number that were overweight.

Mark

https://flic.kr/p/2iLrQWV
Click to expand...

I found when my shelties got older they did sleep more. However, if excessive weight gain was involved with the same amount of food I got a thyroid test. Sure enough they had thyroid issues and needed to be medicated. Then normal weight was restored. As far as mobility issues went I had a message therapist come in every two weeks and also used therapeutic 1/2 balls to help stimulate muscles.
 
I thought I was doing well with Montys weight (until last nights pie incident he's only been getting his kibble) but at his last vets appointment he weighed 12.1lbs which I thought was OK as it's not really much haha. The nurse said she's not happy and wants him at exactly 11. Soo the poor little guy is starting a small diet, it seems Shelties just have to look at food to gain weight.
 
Oh goodness, how tall is Monty? 11 lbs? He might not have the strength to jump!

Brodie is just shy of 16 inches and weighs in at 25 lbs ish normally. But with 2 -3 walks daily and multiple boughts of frisbee these last 3 weeks or so, he might be slimmed down some. He does take more naps! And bonus - he has not chewed the drywall I patched!
 
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