Getting frustrated

[JenC]

I would first suspect the scale being off. I went through a few months where the dogs were always going in. There is no way that some of mine went up and down like they did on that scale.

Most vets err on the side of a thin lab.

I wouldn't go under a cup of food. If you want to go back to the LB food, that's fine. I never saw the infamous "slimming down" from grain free. Is he neutered? That amazingly plays a huge difference. Jack has always looked heavy and he was about 96# earlier this year when I did a full check up including CBC and thyroid. He's 6 and seemed heavy no matter what I fed, no matter how little I fed. All was fine. I put him in raw, actually a lot less that the recommended amount for his ideal weight, still he didn't lose anything. I put Jed on raw (same age, full brother, intact) and he got fed a bit more for his ideal weight, and the weight DROPPED.

I did have some luck with a prescription diet, Science Diet Metabolic. I needed to get a jump start on Hudler's weight loss. It was something like $80 for a 27# bag. It DID work. And he could eat 4 cups of it a day which really ran through the 27# bag quick.

It's getting to be summer. Swimming, an extra 1/2 hour of Chuck-it. Otherwise, I thought the dog looked good.

[Georgia]

Thanks for all of your insightful comments. I really feel like I can't cut his food back any further but I may consider getting rid of the canned. I have always fed my dog a scoop of canned. I think it gives them a bit of variety especially if you don't rotate their kibble very often. The vet said she would like to see him weigh 88-90 pounds. I just don't know how we can get down that low without starving the poor boy. My mothers Boston Terrier eats 1 1/2 cups of kibble a day which is why I have it stuck in my head that that's not enough food for a young lab. Sam has always been a thick and solid dog even from the time he was a small puppy. I don't think I could ever get him looking lean. The lab he plays with down the street is a year old. He is much taller and thinner than Sam. They are just built so different. I know I'm definitely going to try to stop worrying so much!

edited to add: yes, Sam is neutered.

[JenC]

IMHO, if you have a nice lab, which Sam appears to be, sometimes they just don't get as thin as vets want them to be. Grizz hovers around 90#. There is NO way he could be thinner. Nor would I want him thinner.

[WhoopsaDaisy]

He's a handsome boy and I agree some labs just look thicker than others. I didn't think mine needed to lose any but I decreased her food and 4 lbs came off of her in one month. She is 16 months old today and gets 3 cups a day of PPS 26/16 and treats. She is 69 lbs but I think she could lose a few more maybe. I have been taking her swimming a lot lately and in a couple months I will start jogging with her.
I can't imagine giving a 96lb dog less than 1 cup a day. Especially if he's only 18 months old! It's not enough to live on, I don't think. I would increase the exercise - I think he looks pretty good and if he does need to lose anymore I'd let him loose it slowly. Have you thought about jogging him instead of walking (on a soft surface)? Maybe start with one minute of jogging and 4 minutes of walking? Then the next week make it 2 mins jogging/3 mins walking and so on?

[lovemylabby]

I would not feed less than 2 cups total in one day. I would look at the calorie content of the foods and go back to the one with less calories. But I would not sacrifice the fat content. Your boy is so young.. He needs the fat for energy as well as nice skin and coat. I would probably cut out the canned food. You can add unsalted green beans to help him feel more full.

i would also watch the treats. Too many treats can add up to an entire meal.

Your Vet's scale could be off too... I would look at the way your dog looks and feels rather than what the scale says. You want to feel his ribs.. But not see them.

But.. You don't want an overweight Lab either.

[lovealab2]

I had an older slightly overweight black lab a few years ago. The vet suggested cutting back on her kibble a little and giving her 1/2 a can of salt free green beans. Worked great for her.

[Kain's Mommy]

Thanks for all of your insightful comments. I really feel like I can't cut his food back any further but I may consider getting rid of the canned. I have always fed my dog a scoop of canned. I think it gives them a bit of variety especially if you don't rotate their kibble very often. The vet said she would like to see him weigh 88-90 pounds. I just don't know how we can get down that low without starving the poor boy. My mothers Boston Terrier eats 1 1/2 cups of kibble a day which is why I have it stuck in my head that that's not enough food for a young lab. Sam has always been a thick and solid dog even from the time he was a small puppy. I don't think I could ever get him looking lean. The lab he plays with down the street is a year old. He is much taller and thinner than Sam. They are just built so different. I know I'm definitely going to try to stop worrying so much!

edited to add: yes, Sam is neutered.

Poor Sam, Kain feels your pain! This green beans and kibble is terrible. I even feel bad! I often wonder if a scale is off because from Kain's wellness exam to a week and a half later he supposedly had lost 5 lbs which seemed off to me. I'm half tempted to go buy a big floor scale to weigh him myself LOL.

[ZRabbits]

Would the investment of a floor scale be practical? I'm considering it for my pup. Kind of like to know and then when going to the Vet, compare notes. Plus weight is always top priority for me. Not to a point of lean, as I will be taking the advise of my breeder over my Vet, but Lab pups grow so fast, and just want to make sure.

KAZ

[Georgia]

Would the investment of a floor scale be practical?

Probably not. I've never priced them but imagine they are expensive. A puppy can be easily weighed on your bathroom scale and vets love it when you drop by for a weigh in. We didn't weigh Sam this week but I plan on taking him next week for a weight check. On a positive note, a neighbor of mine hadn't seen Sam for a couple weeks and when he saw him yesterday, the first thing he asked was if Sam lost weight!

[ZRabbits]

Thanks, did a search and they are a bit pricey. Bathroom scale sounds like a good idea. Have to get one though. Should as we both did loose a lot of weight due to the loss of our Son. We are scaring the neighbors. lol

Thanks again. Appreciate the input.

KAZ