Sam needs to go on a diet again

[Georgia]

Sam had his yearly exam yesterday and we were lectured on his weight once again. He was 95 pounds. He really doesn't look fat to me but I agree he should lose some weight. Here is a recent picture of his full body. The vet wants me to put him on science diet metabolic to jumpstart his weight loss. I guess I will give it a try. She wants him down to 85 pounds so this food might be the best way to do it. It's certainly not a food I would want to keep him on but if it would help I'll give it a try. Has anyone fed Science diet metabolic? Did it work?

[Jeff]

Sam, just remind your mom, it was winter and the food is good in your house. There is just more of me to love.

Hemi gained 5 over winter too, I am not changing much as we are already more active and won't be long and swimming season hits.

[kelsyg]

My girls are on a diet, too!
Been decreasing their regular food and adding green beans to fill their tummies.
Good luck to all of us!

[Sue-Ram]

Ram has started back on the Fromm Whitefish and Potato again with green beans. He also gets some mixed berries for dessert after our walk. Although, the blueberries go in and come out looking the exact same way. I keep telling him that if he doesn't start chewing and stop wasting my money I'm going to start recycling the blueberries.

[barry581]

If is 95 pounds in the pic, I can't say he looks over weight. Just out of curiosity can you easily feel his ribs??? How tall is Sam at the withers??

[SunDance]

That doesn't appear to me to be a dog with too much weight on him. I echo Barry's questions...ribs are the key.

[Georgia]

I'm not sure how tall Sam is. His ribs are not easily felt but they never have been. DH and I don't think he looks fat but I weighed him several times on the vets scale and he was 95 pounds. I kept thinking Sam was leaning against the wall or something to throw the scale off but it wasn't so.

[Shelley]

Where will 10 lbs come off of Sam?

I really dislike 'diet' foods, can you bump up his activity level? One of my older girls is such an easy keeper, she gains weight by just looking at food it seems like, I have taken to feeding her small meals 3 times a day, and bumping up her activity. I think the 3 meals helps her feel more full, or that not so much time has passed between her tiny meals, and she is at a great weight. Just feed him a bit less and exercise him a bit more, and look at him and his body condition instead of the scale.

[BogeyBaby]

I've been told Bogey needs to be on a diet as well. He's 78. Misty is 58. They eat the exact same portions! Vet says Bogey's metabolism is probably slower (although you'd think Misty's would be as she's like 8 years older than him). I'm keeping them on Darwin's raw, but decreasing his portions and increasing their exercise.

[Snowshoe]

What is a metabolic food? If the Vet suspects a metabolism problem then were blood tests done for, say, hypothyroidism?

Going only from the photo, which of course is THE most accurate way to tell, not, but I can't see 1o pounds coming off either. And if so why not just cut back a bit on what you are feeding?