NWR---weight loss advice?

kamfam · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:48 am Post subject: NWR---weight loss advice?

Glacier, my 10 1/2yo samoyed is beyond chunky. Last year, her thyroid was checked and was normal. She only eats 2c/day of Canidae chick/rice. She gets little exercise because of her legs (arthritis). She goes to the vet next month for a check up, but I'd like some ideas prior to then.

Is she getting too much food? Should I exercise her more and give her something for the discomfort after? Any other ideas for my fatty???

weimdogmom · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:29 am Post subject:

How much should she weigh?

Maybe start out with increasing her exercise a little and gradually. And hopefully, as her weight goes down, that will help her arthritis, too.

weimdawgs · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

Have you tried weight management food with her??

Welches · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

Try reducing her food and/or getting a low-calorie food. Ask your vet how much she needs to lose and how many calories a day she needs to get to that weight. My 8 year old weim gets 1.5 cups of California Natural chicken and rice twice a day. What about treats? Those can add up quickly. Also, try adding green beans and other good foods to his meals and snacks.

waitingonmyweim · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:36 am Post subject:

2 cups/day of food is not that much food - cut out any volume and she'll probably be hungry most of the day.

If you do cut her food, I would add some filler, like the green beans Welches suggested.

And what about supplements to treat her arthritis? Then maybe she could run a little, get a little more exercise?

kamfam · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:46 am Post subject:

weimdawgs · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:58 am Post subject:

It's funny you mention the Canidae. I just noticed that Silkie and Gunnar look a little stockier. I am going to put them back on their evening raw meal. But for now, I cut their food in almost half. I think the Canidae is such quality food, that they absorb it better. There is not a lot of filler in it.

I am not sure but almost every manufacturer makes a weight management or a senior brand. I am pretty sure Canidae has a senior formula. She may do better on that.

weimdogmom · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

Canidae does have a senior food: http://www.canidae.com/dogs/platinum/dry.html

It contains glucosamine and chondroiton sulfate, so would help with arthritis as well as weight.

kamfam · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

Thanks! I'll pick up a bag tomorrow and start switching her over. Hopefully her tummy handles it Rolling Eyes

.

We always walked her with the weims, she wanted to be involved surprisingly, but then afterwards she can hardly move. If it's painful watching her try to get up after laying down a bit, I can only imagine how she's feeling Sad

.

Which reminds me, has anyone tried the "Furminator"??? I won't take her to the groomers anymore because it stresses her out way too much, and regular brushing just doesn't cut it sometimes, I was thinking of buying this thing to help with all her fur. Maybe I'll put a post up somewhere else about it....

Welches · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:09 am Post subject:

peppernaei · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:

kamfam · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:07 am Post subject:

It's funny that I brought this up. She's always been a grazer - not really into her food. But once Kam came home, she ate her food religiously am & pm - probably afraid Kam would eat it Razz

! Now it's been 2 days since Bo's gone, and she's back to grazing, so we probably could cut her food back a bit. The combination of things, I'm sure, are the reason for her weight gain. With switching food hopefully we'll see an improvement over the weeks.

I thought the same thing about her exercise - I think a short walk is probably plenty for her right now until we get some weight off and get the supplements going. I don't want her hurting.

It's weird how fast she put on all this weight. I was so preoccupied with Kam's weight and constantly adjusting his food, I guess I neglected keeping a close eye on hers. Plus, with all her fur, she always looked MUCH bigger than she actually was!

Thanks for all the advice everyone!!!

weimdawgs · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:16 am Post subject:

Canidae's Senior formula is their weight management formula..seniors require less calories so basically the same thing. My store sold their last 40lb bag of All Life Stages right before I got there last night, getting it today, so I bought a small bag of the Senior/WM formula for them to try. Like I said Silkie and Gunnar are looking a little bulky....it never hurts Scout to be a little lighter. They loved it and I gave them their normal 2 cups.

kamfam · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:19 am Post subject:

AND...I'm going to pick up the Furminator today as well. I'm sure they offer some sort of guarantee if it doesn't work, right?

She's such a furball!!!

peppernaei · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:12 am Post subject: