Socks

[only-borders]

Since the old post about Buddy came up do you have any new pictures to share? How is Buddy doing with his weight loss?

[youngK9]

I would like to see too.

[LadyDaniela]

+1

[Socks]

I was really excited when I saw this thread haha!

Well let me start with an incident that happened: Socks was rough housing with Buddy..I always spectate their play time because of Buddy's size and back. Socks ran across the yard while Buddy waited for her to boot-scoot on back. When she ran back, she ran right into Buddy.. it didn't look like a hard hit but when he got back up his mouth was open wide. He struggled to close it but he had no luck. Called the vet right away and they told me to come in ASAP. He took one look at Buddy and he knew exactly what to do and he just popped it back into place.. it was a quick experience. Buddy was back to bein' himself, he yawned at least ten times afterwards in front of the vet heheh. No swelling afterward, neither! He's a trooper hahaha..

As for his weight.. well..

Basically since my previous thread I made about him, I have been taking him for long walks everyday. and I mean.. LONNG walks. We take different paths each time, and the walks end up taking about 3-4 hours a day.. with breaks of course.

Except I feel like I'm failing. He has definitely lost weight.. he feels 100 pounds lighter actually! But he doesn't look so slim. He looks just like he did before. Even the vet said something about him looking too fat..but then he weighed him and he was very shocked at how low the weight was! I really outta remember the exact weight..

He just looks so FAT right now. Believe me, though, he has gotten lighter! It's quite frustrating. I hope there's nothing wrong with him.

Pictures will come later today.. but prepare to see NO difference at all. >: (

[Psylocide]

Interesting... could be his weight distribution is goofy or (as is the case with some humans) he has relatively low lean body mass and most of his weight is made up of fat. These people that have low lbm and are also relatively light-weight, will always look what we call "skinny-fat." They have no real muscle definition and fat gathers around the mid-section/thighs but the arms/legs/shoulders/back/chest areas look rather emaciated.

I don't know if applies to dogs... but it may. The only way to fix it in humans is starting with a caloric intake in excess of maintenance and strength training.

[Socks]

Oh my goodness I feel like such a bad owner.. I don't like seeing him like this AT ALL. I feel like crying or slapping myself for him getting like this. I don't know what to do about it. It's really getting to me right now since I've seen the pictures.



Very upsetting. I don't even want to post these 'cause it's so bad.. Ohhh



Oh guys please forgive me! I've been working with him as much as I can! I'm so scared for his health right now too.. I never realized it was this bad until today.

[only-borders]

It is what it is and the first thing to start with is how much food he is getting each day. No reason to feel bad, just start at the beginning.

If he is getting a cup of food a day cut it back to 3/4 cup a day. Don't feed as many treats and keep on with the long walks.

In June I decided to start working Ari again slowly. Weight gained due to back injury and low activity level. I changed her type of kibble to one with less calories but the same protein. I have her working differently and to date she has lost 4 pounds, still 1 1/2 to go.

It can be done but you have to stay strong since you are the one who feeds him. So don't feel bad, it happens. Make a new start today.

[bcmama]

I was wondering how he was getting on. At least he is losing some weight though, that is good for him! Keep up the work and maybe some muscle definition will start to show through.did your vet have any ideas as to why he still looks pudgy even though he has lost weight?

[Socks]

(09-26-2011 09:18 AM)only-borders Wrote:  It is what it is and the first thing to start with is how much food he is getting each day. No reason to feel bad, just start at the beginning.

If he is getting a cup of food a day cut it back to 3/4 cup a day. Don't feed as many treats and keep on with the long walks.

In June I decided to start working Ari again slowly. Weight gained due to back injury and low activity level. I changed her type of kibble to one with less calories but the same protein. I have her working differently and to date she has lost 4 pounds, still 1 1/2 to go.

It can be done but you have to stay strong since you are the one who feeds him. So don't feel bad, it happens. Make a new start today.

Buddy eats 2/4 cups a day--then he refuses to eat any more. I haven't changed his kibble but I believe I might try that. May I ask what kibble you're using for Ari? I need to find a cheap treadmill too for him in the winter..

I will admit, I was freaking out earlier heh heh. It's just that I've been working with him everyday, and I was expecting to see at least a little improvement. Poor guy doesn't know we're talking about him haha.

[only-borders]

I changed from TOTW Pacific Stream (salmon) to TOTW Sierra Mountain (lamb). The calorie change was from 360 kcup to 280 kcup. Enough to make a difference.

Depending on how big the kibble pieces are taking away 6 to 8 pieces can even make a difference. Or you could cut back on the kibble and add green beans to make up the difference.

The weight loss should be slow. It's all worth it in the end.

I do have to tell you, I have always loved the two little circles on the butts. Buddy's are very cute.

[Traevas]

I'd suggest trying a lower fat to high protien kibble (something between 2:1 or 3:1 ratio of protien to fat). Typical dog weight management food cuts the protien, which makes them loose muscle mass (so it looks good on the scale and makes us feel better). This doesnt really help in the long term. A measuring cup is a must and feed the lower end of what his ideal weight should be. The food bags still promote overfeeding in my opinion.

Lots of lean protien will help put on muscle which helps metabolize his food and will lower his "bad" weight. You'll see the difference in his body before you see it on the scale. They're just like us in that regard.

Try to stay positive with it. You guys can do it!

[Socks]

(09-26-2011 09:52 AM)only-borders Wrote:  I changed from TOTW Pacific Stream (salmon) to TOTW Sierra Mountain (lamb). The calorie change was from 360 kcup to 280 kcup. Enough to make a difference.

Depending on how big the kibble pieces are taking away 6 to 8 pieces can even make a difference. Or you could cut back on the kibble and add green beans to make up the difference.

The weight loss should be slow. It's all worth it in the end.

I do have to tell you, I have always loved the two little circles on the butts. Buddy's are very cute.

I appreciate all the help Linda The circles on his bum are my favorite..

[LadyDaniela]

YAY! I can admit to someone I like the doggie butt circles too. (even Lj gives me funny looks when I say that) He is very cute though! Did the vet recommend anything? You're workin, just keep at it

[Toddsmom]

My mini doxies only get about 1/2 a cup per day each and they are very active. The less active they are, the less they need so base his food amount off of how much exercise he typically gets. They are very very hard to get the weight off of once they have gained it. Don't beat yourself up over it, it's hard to correct the problem. Just keep on the exercise and decrease his food and he will get there eventually.

[Michiyo-Fir]

Have you tried getting his thyroid checked? Sometimes that causes weight gain or inability to lose weight.

I agree with cutting down kibble and adding green beans. It helps a dog feel full without the calories so it's great.