Aspen is 2 years old and is very large. He's always been big, but lately we've been wondering if he's overweight. I read some other threads and think he's on the edge of it--needing to lose 5-10 lbs.

What I don't get is nothing's really changed for him....same amt of food--really no treats during the day at all...he wrestles with his sister daily for at least 1-2 hours. Not a ton of walks on the road, at least once or twice a week but lots of romping in woods with me behind house and lots and lots of fetch. He tires easily when playing fetch but still has energy. Anyone else have this experience? Random weight gain? Is it his age? Should I have reduced his food as he got older? :confused::confused::confused:I'll go look at the bag I guess...

I'm going to concentrate on walking him a lot more and more swimming (we've had an EXTREMELY crazy month so the walking wouldn't be bad for me either.) and maybe reduce his food a little?

Dogs are just like people...at two years old he's officially out of his adolesence and doesn't require quite as much food. At about that age, we reduced Maggie from 4 cups to 3 cups of food per day. A little bit of extra exercise can NEVER hurt as long as you're working him up to it gradually. It sounds like he gets a fair amount of exercise, so I might focus on the diet for now. If he acts hungry after you reduce his food, maybe try supplementing with some unsalted green beans...this can act as filler.

I like the swimming idea. It sounds like he's got enough impact exercise right now and swimming would represent a new low impact option. Since he is a smidge overweight right now, the swimming will go a little easier on his joints.

He'll do fine. Molly had the same problem and we ended up taking about 8 pounds off of her. Just develop a plan and stick to it, and be satisfied with slow but consistent results.

Good luck!

Thanks for the tips!!! He'll be swimming a lot more as we do our canoe training for a fall trip!

We change the amount of food our dogs get based on the amount of activity they get. When they don't do alot, we cut them back.

Should I have reduced his food as he got older? :confused::confused::confused:I'll go look at the bag I guess...

I'm going to concentrate on walking him a lot more and more swimming (we've had an EXTREMELY crazy month so the walking wouldn't be bad for me either.) and maybe reduce his food a little?

How much food are you giving Aspen right now? Maybe reduce 1/2 cup of his food, so for example if your feeding him 3 cups a day, cut back to 2 1/2 cups...or whatever the amount your are feeding him. Feed him pieces of carrots for treats.

Excersise will help him to lose a few pounds. Swimming is excellent (they get a good work out ;)) Walking is also great, doesn't have to be an hour walk, just 15-30 minutes!!! Plus it keeps us in shape too!!! Good luck! Keep us updated!!! He'll do fine!!! :)

How much food are you giving Aspen right now? Maybe reduce 1/2 cup of his food, so for example if your feeding him 3 cups a day, cut back to 2 1/2 cups...or whatever the amount your are feeding him. Feed him pieces of carrots for treats.

Excersise will help him to lose a few pounds. Swimming is excellent (they get a good work out ;)) Walking is also great, doesn't have to be an hour walk, just 15-30 minutes!!! Plus it keeps us in shape too!!! Good luck! Keep us updated!!! He'll do fine!!! :)
I fed according to the bag and then as I read some threads it's WAY too much!!

We feed Nutro Max LB Adult--he was at just under 6 cups a day!!! We cut him down to between 4 and 5 and seems to be doing just fine....Does 6 cups seem asinine to anyone else? Between the two dogs we were feeding 10 cups per day! No wonder we're broke-ha!

He was 84# at his last vet visit almost a year ago (he's been a HEALTHY boy--we go for shots next week) and when we weighed him at home last it was around 95#....we'll find out next week what it really is and I'm going to talk to the vet about his weight then also....Thanks everyone!

I guess it would depend on how much activity/exercise he is doing, but 6 cups does sound like an awful lot to me- even 5 cups sounds like alot.

I also read some threads before I got my dog where people mentioned not to feed according to the directions on the bag because it could be too much. And that does make sence, I mean as good intentioned as some dog food companies are about the well-being of the dogs they feed, they are afterall still a company and a company's goal is to make a profit ;)

Are you feeding him the same amount now that you were when he was a puppy? Puppies require more because they are growing, but when they are adults they dont need as much.

Either way good luck and I"m sure your vet will be able to help you out more than I can LOL :)

I fed according to the bag and then as I read some threads it's WAY too much!!

We feed Nutro Max LB Adult--he was at just under 6 cups a day!!! We cut him down to between 4 and 5 and seems to be doing just fine....Does 6 cups seem asinine to anyone else? Between the two dogs we were feeding 10 cups per day! No wonder we're broke-ha!

He was 84# at his last vet visit almost a year ago (he's been a HEALTHY boy--we go for shots next week) and when we weighed him at home last it was around 95#....we'll find out next week what it really is and I'm going to talk to the vet about his weight then also....Thanks everyone!

Oh my, 6 cups is a LOT...but every dog is different, some dogs get fed that much, but they probably do lots of exercise. Yeah I would cut back on the food. Try feeding him 2 - 3 cups a day. Your vet will have some advice for you. Don't forget : Walking, swimming, playing!!!! Keep us updated!!! ;)