Sam needs to go on a diet again

[Labradorks]

Labs hold the weight well. When my boys were 15 and 30 lbs overweight, they did not look much different than your boy. They were not tubular at all. My conformation friends thought they looked great! And I didn't think they looked fat. They don't look that much different since they lost the weight, especially with their heavy coats. There is definitely a difference in the fat padding on their ribs, which you have to feel around for. I know it has made a huge difference because they both have better endurance, Linus takes the 24" jump like it's nothing and I KNOW it is better on their joints.

I have been amazed at how well the Fromm Pork and Pea has allowed them to eat a decent sized meal and maintain their weight loss. They each get 1 cup twice a day. Linus gets a lot of training treats and he is more active than Sam. For my boys, especially Sam who seems to be sensitive to carbs, I would stay away from corn and potato and opt for a lean protein and a carb that is a veggie (versus a starch) and try to stay away from fillers.

I'd probably skip Science Diet, especially this diet. Much of what is in the diet is actually used to fatten up farm animals (whole grain corn, soy, beet pulp) and are simply cheap ways to add calories to a diet. Empty calories. Think Coca Cola.

[TuMicks]

Even my field bred hyperactive Rocket Dog has added a bit of weight over the winter. Hubby feeds a loaded scoop of food (rounded) twice a day. When I feed, it's a level scoop. Just that little bit of difference over the course of several weeks is the difference between gaining fat or not.

[Snowshoe]

LOL, thinks me some doggies need to go cross country skiing in the winter. Am I the only one who has to feed MORE in winter?

[Annette47]

Chloe’s looking a little “fluffy” at the moment as well, but it’s not from the winter - she runs and swims (if it’s above freezing) all winter. It’s more because it’s dog-show season and she gets more training treats and when she does well, which she has been lately, she gets tons of rewards, LOL.

[Labradorks]

Am I the only one who has to feed MORE in winter?

I think you might be!

[POPTOP]

Keeping weight down on Mardi is so important. I've found Fromm Whitefish with less calories to really work for her. Also, a measure cup which filled to the tip top only holds a cup of kibble so DH can't "accidentally" overfeed. I also supplement with green beans and fruit. DH is a treat machine so I've had to be inventive about that too.

[Georgia]

I decided to give the prescription food a try. We are on the third bag of Science Diet Metabolic weight loss formula. Sam has gone from 95 pounds to 86 pounds and he doesn't even know he's on a diet. I am able to feed him one and a half cups of this kibble twice a day. He hasn't been scrounging around for food like he has in the past when he's on a diet so he must feel full. I think after this bag of food, he will be at the perfect weight. At that point I will need to find a lower calorie regular kibble to switch to.

[LabMunsterBracco]

I decided to give the prescription food a try. We are on the third bag of Science Diet Metabolic weight loss formula. Sam has gone from 95 pounds to 86 pounds and he doesn't even know he's on a diet. I am able to feed him one and a half cups of this kibble twice a day. He hasn't been scrounging around for food like he has in the past when he's on a diet so he must feel full. I think after this bag of food, he will be at the perfect weight. At that point I will need to find a lower calorie regular kibble to switch to.

If you feed a higher protein, higher fat ie lower carbohydrate food you will have better luck. Foods high in carbohydrate regardless of the calories on the bag will result in weight gain. The Science Diet food did worked short-term but it won't work long term. You are basically just starving the dog on that food and that is the god's honest truth.

Controlled portions of higher protein and higher fat is the only real solution. Fat calories are stored in the liver as energy but carbs as cellular fat under the skin. Much of the weight loss your dog experienced was just water weight.

[Georgia]

The Science Diet food did worked short-term but it won't work long term. You are basically just starving the dog on that food and that is the god's honest truth. Controlled portions of higher protein and higher fat is the only real solution.

I hardly think I am starving my dog and to say that is insulting. We have tried cutting back his food and he would only get a cup a day to lose weight. Now that would be starving a young active dog. I trust my vet over a random person on the internet to steer us in the right direction regarding the health and well being of my dogs. And that's the god's honest truth.

[Annette47]

I hardly think I am starving my dog and to say that is insulting. We have tried cutting back his food and he would only get a cup a day to lose weight. Now that would be starving a young active dog. I trust my vet over a random person on the internet to steer us in the right direction regarding the health and well being of my dogs. And that's the god's honest truth.

I agree with trusting your vet over the advice given here, but long term if you are looking for some lower calorie options they are out there. Chloe has been doing very well on Annamaet Lean which is very low fat, but still has about 30% protein. She’s what we call an “easy keeper” so is always watching her weight. Other folks here have had success with Fromm’s Whitefish and potato formula - I’ve never tried it though. Our older dogs did well on Royal Canin Labrador formula, which is also very low in fat, although not quite as high in protein as the Annamaet. Chloe has also done well in the past on Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain (lamb formula) which has similar calories to the Annamaet but lower protein and higher fat. Mulder lived to almost 16 on first Pro-Plan until he was about 2 or 3, then the Royal Canin until he was about 10, then the Taste of the wild the rest of his life.

Point is, there are options out there and you may have to experiment a bit to find out what suits him the best in terms of ingredients, overall calories, protein and fat.