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Thread: time for a diet

  1. #11
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    I highly recommend monthly trips to get him on the scale until he gets back down to weight. I have always done this to Hemi, usually every 3 months so you can catch it early and see. Chili is getting older and slowing down some. Same with Hemi. You might consider a food change too. Hemi is on a diet right now as well. However, I caught Hemi's when he gained 5 lbs. His Weight gain is also probably the cause of his inactivity. It is kind of one of those things the heavier they get the less they want to play and work. I noticed Hemi gained 2lbs. Then 3 months later gained 3 lbs. He was also getting a little more sluggish and not as active. Which is hard right now, is it age. No it was weight. I went to Fromm Weight management food. Only change I did, Lost 1.5 lbs first month. Lost 2 lbs second month. Couple more to go. However energy levels have returned, he is happier and running more and tormenting me more. Pealing off about 4 lbs basically rolled back a couple years on his energy levels.

    Lab weight is something you just got to keep an eye on.

    Link to the Fromm weight management, Hemi get 2 rounded cups a day. I don't heap them tall but I don't level them off. I was taking his older food and scooping some out and so on. This way he is not running around hungry.
    Fromm Gold Life-stage and Lifestyle Dry Recipes - Fromm Family Foods

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  3. #12
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    I'd be insisting on a complete work up if you are SURE he's not finding another food source. I've owned labs for 26 yrs. Never have mine gained more than 5# w/o my correction. I've never had any w/ thyroid etc conditions either though, even once older but he's only 5yrs old, right? That's YOUNG.

    Quote Originally Posted by voodoo View Post
    no blood work...vet just said work him more and measure his waist above his peepee...

    chili is big dog now but I still can see indents before his hips. i will work him more...my nephew feeds his his service dog half cup a day....im like wtf, but his boxer/pit looks very athletic at 8 yrs old now. local parks just opened brand new dog park less than 1/2 mile from home...so no excuses on that.
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  4. #13
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by windycanyon View Post
    I've never had any w/ thyroid etc conditions either though, even once older but he's only 5yrs old, right? That's YOUNG.
    I had 3 chocolates in my 2nd litter need thyroid medication around age 3. It can happen young.

  5. #14
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    Im hoping I can correct his weight. He has a huge barrel chest and I can easily feel all his ribs. when he lay on his side he does have a small pooch. will try to get a new pic of him.
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  6. #15
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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  7. #16
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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  8. #17
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    The funny thing about Labs is that they can "hold their weight" really well. Sam was once 110 lbs and he was not a coffee table. I could feel his ribs, but they had a layer on them. His belly did not hang. The vet said maybe he could lose 10 lbs. Well, he went on a diet and got down to 75 lbs. He doesn't look *that* different. I mean, people will say he was chunky at 110 lbs, but no one said he was fat. Linus was 96 lbs and is now 75 lbs also. Again, vet said, eh, maybe a few lbs and friends said a little chunky (conformation friends said just right - ha!). I have no idea where they held the weight. But, I do know that 45 lbs and nearly 25 lbs is a LOT of weight, especially for a Lab. Just like your dog, who has gained a lot of weight, just because he doesn't look obese, doesn't mean he doesn't have weight to lose. Their health, joints, energy, ability to handle heat all benefit from being lean.

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  10. #18
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Labradorks View Post
    The funny thing about Labs is that they can "hold their weight" really well. Sam was once 110 lbs and he was not a coffee table. I could feel his ribs, but they had a layer on them. His belly did not hang. The vet said maybe he could lose 10 lbs. Well, he went on a diet and got down to 75 lbs. He doesn't look *that* different. I mean, people will say he was chunky at 110 lbs, but no one said he was fat. Linus was 96 lbs and is now 75 lbs also. Again, vet said, eh, maybe a few lbs and friends said a little chunky (conformation friends said just right - ha!). I have no idea where they held the weight. But, I do know that 45 lbs and nearly 25 lbs is a LOT of weight, especially for a Lab. Just like your dog, who has gained a lot of weight, just because he doesn't look obese, doesn't mean he doesn't have weight to lose. Their health, joints, energy, ability to handle heat all benefit from being lean.
    thank you so much...my vet said overweight labs is the main dog he has to put to sleep early due to health problems. its so hot here in the desert southwest I dont think even labs like to exercise in the heat here. I have some work to do, think I got lazy myself over this last year.
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  11. #19
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    With my seniors I'm always watching weight. Ditto the thyroid workup. I feed Fromm whitefish in the winter with less activity which has slightly fewer calories, 2 scant cups per day. Treats are the mini type, Mother Hubbard, and pumpkin yogurt frozen treats that I make. Tummy is filled with frozen, nonsalt, green beans and occasional carrots.
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  13. #20
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    I think if the pp sport isnt right I may try fromm. chili can eat everything except duck when he was a pup. now that its cooling off here and the week old new dog park they just built super close by...Im gonna aim for 2 solid walks a day and will ask vet for bloodwork when I go back in january...

    nobody in house eats green beans regularly...any other frozen veg that may help? guess it doesnt matter, at least nobody will eat chili's green beans lol.
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