Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Dog food forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old June 6th, 2011, 08:17 PM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
I have a question about dog food

Chloe had to get some blood work done today and the vet just plain out told me she is too fat.

I know she is a big girl but her parents are very big too, she could probably loose about 10 pounds..she weight in at 105.

Now she only gets 2 cups of Pedigree Lamb and Rice a day, I know that's not a lot at all, she is always searching for food. Now he tells me to put her on one cup a day. This poor dog is gonna starve to death.

I do add green beans as a filler and she gets carrots and Lot's of exercise

I know the Pedigree is not the best food at all, but the only one I could find around here that made the Lamb and Rice due to her allergies.

Any suggestions, I really don't know what to do, I guess I could order other food for her longest it was lamb and rice..any suggestions??
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old June 6th, 2011, 08:40 PM
Marty11's Avatar
Marty11 Marty11 is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: East Gwillimbury, ON
Posts: 1,174
Get a thyroid test, and whatever you do don't use weight control food cause it's full of fillers....
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old June 6th, 2011, 09:42 PM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marty11 View Post
Get a thyroid test, and whatever you do don't use weight control food cause it's full of fillers....
she got the thyroid test done today, we will know by tomorrow, thanks
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old June 7th, 2011, 01:11 AM
reanne reanne is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 171
How much exercise does she get? Like in people, a healthy weight is maintained by eating properly AND exercise. Also, I don't think that cutting your dogs' food serving in HALF is very healthy. I think that would lead to drastic weight loss, which will not be maintainable and she will be unsatisfied.

You may want to consider switching to a higher quality food.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old June 7th, 2011, 06:46 AM
Melinda's Avatar
Melinda Melinda is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,247
can you get performatrin dog food around your area? I have Brina lab/shepherd on this food, lamb and brown rice, she is full on only 2 cups a day

http://www.performatrinultra.com/dog/ddi_lamb.htm
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old June 7th, 2011, 11:47 AM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
Quote:
Originally Posted by Melinda View Post
can you get performatrin dog food around your area? I have Brina lab/shepherd on this food, lamb and brown rice, she is full on only 2 cups a day

http://www.performatrinultra.com/dog/ddi_lamb.htm
Will have to check on that one, not sure..thanks
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old June 8th, 2011, 03:21 PM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
I found a good one and I can get it here at one store

Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old June 8th, 2011, 04:01 PM
chico2's Avatar
chico2 chico2 is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Oakville Ontario
Posts: 26,591
Performatrine is a Pet-Value brand,probably only sold in Canada.
Blue Buffalo is way better than Pedigree.
Also cutting a dogs food by half is crazy,I would never do that to a dog.
__________________
"The cruelest animal is the Human animal"
3 kitties,Rocky(r.i.p my boy),Chico,Vinnie
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old June 8th, 2011, 04:25 PM
breeze's Avatar
breeze breeze is offline
Half Way To Crazy
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,716
Quote:
Originally Posted by chico2 View Post
Performatrine is a Pet-Value brand,probably only sold in Canada.
Blue Buffalo is way better than Pedigree.
Also cutting a dogs food by half is crazy,I would never do that to a dog.
it's not that crazy chico..
I was told to cut back on Bree's food, cause she was gaining to much weight..
1st week by 1/4
second week by 1/2

really it's no problem for the dogs to get use to smaller amounts.


it's for the good of the dog and their joints
__________________
Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts."
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old June 8th, 2011, 06:42 PM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
I started her out on the same amount 2 cups a day, well just starting to slowly mix in the new food but she will stay on 2 cups for now.
I'll see how she does and it might just of been the food that made her get bigger.

I would never cut her to a cup..lol, that's starving my poor baby
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old June 9th, 2011, 07:16 AM
chico2's Avatar
chico2 chico2 is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Oakville Ontario
Posts: 26,591
Bree,I should not give advice about dog-food,since I don't even have a dog,it just sounds a bit drastic to me,a large dog and 1 cup of food/daily

I know in cats,a drastic change and fast weight-loss can be dangerous.
__________________
"The cruelest animal is the Human animal"
3 kitties,Rocky(r.i.p my boy),Chico,Vinnie
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old June 9th, 2011, 07:24 AM
Melinda's Avatar
Melinda Melinda is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,247
it is sold in the states, and in some stores other than petvalue, in fact, up until 4 yrs ago it was made in PA.
the stores are Pet food direct, Bosleys and of course pet value, I imagine they are all affiliated with Pet value

USA
Maryland
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old June 9th, 2011, 07:27 AM
breeze's Avatar
breeze breeze is offline
Half Way To Crazy
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,716
that's ok Chico,
I do understand what your saying.
__________________
Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts."
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old June 9th, 2011, 08:12 AM
Melinda's Avatar
Melinda Melinda is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,247
Quote:
Originally Posted by chico2 View Post
Bree,I should not give advice about dog-food,since I don't even have a dog,it just sounds a bit drastic to me,a large dog and 1 cup of food/daily

I know in cats,a drastic change and fast weight-loss can be dangerous.
sounds very very drastic to me also!! and as chico says, dangerous
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old June 9th, 2011, 08:21 AM
erykah1310's Avatar
erykah1310 erykah1310 is offline
Blue eyed funny farm
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 5,595
When switching my dogs all over from kibble to raw they acted hungry for a while.
They were so accustomed to eating x amount of cups and switching that to a food that is measured by weight to feed it ends up being drastically less.
IF you do switch to a higher quality food remember that you will not need to feed as much for your dog to have adequate nutrition and it will "act" hungry
If you feed the same amount of a new food that you were of the old one you will undoubtedly end up with a dog who gains weight
__________________
Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyways. ~John Wayne
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old June 9th, 2011, 10:40 AM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
If you're uncomfortable with reducing the amount as recommended by the vet, reduce it by half the recommendation and re-evaluate after a month or two. If your dog is still too heavy, reduce it again until she gets to a healthy weight. Eventually you'll get her down to an amount just right for her and it won't be as traumatic for you because you've done it gradually.


Our Priscilla was a 55 pound springer (yes, she was a big one! ) with lots of energy, a healthy coat, and lived till the age of 15. She only got 2/3 of a cup of food daily.

Each dog is an individual with individual nutritional requirements. We base the amount fed on each dog's body mass. If they get too heavy, we reduce the food. If they start getting too skinny, we increase the portion. We adjust whenever necessary--and that means frequently because the dogs get differing amounts of exercise depending on the time of year. We had to cut our dogs' portions down when we switched to Innova. As I recall, we went to about half of what they were getting before, and some of them needed even less.

If they are maintaining a healthy weight on a high quality food, then they are getting enough to eat, even if it doesn't seem like near enough volume to us.
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old June 9th, 2011, 10:04 PM
Dee-O-Gee's Avatar
Dee-O-Gee Dee-O-Gee is offline
You can call me DOG!
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,645
Quote:
Originally Posted by Claudia36oh View Post
I found a good one and I can get it here at one store

Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice
My daughter lives down in Virginia and they switched their GSD to the Blue Buffalo lamb & Brown Rice from the shelter's Pedigree.

If you do decide to switch Chloe's food, please do so in increments;

Day 1- 3 75% old 25% new
Day 4- 6 50% old 50% new
Day 7-10 25% old 75% new
Day 11 100% new

After adjusting brands (if you choose to switch) perhaps you can start reducing the daily intake. Just take it one step at a time.
__________________
A dog wags his tail with his heart
Dogs have Masters--Cats have Staff

Rest in Peace Bailey: 12/10/95-1/9/09 (Golden Retriever)
Rest in Peace Kitty: 7/1/2000 - 10/7/2013
Rest in Peace Gryphon (sounds like Griffin): 10/15/2004 - 11/18/2017 (English Springer Spaniel)
Bella: 3/09/2005 LHD Cat adopted by/from Child
Mollie: 6/2/2009 (English Setter)
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old June 9th, 2011, 10:55 PM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
Quote:
Originally Posted by klmccallum View Post
My daughter lives down in Virginia and they switched their GSD to the Blue Buffalo lamb & Brown Rice from the shelter's Pedigree.

If you do decide to switch Chloe's food, please do so in increments;

Day 1- 3 75% old 25% new
Day 4- 6 50% old 50% new
Day 7-10 25% old 75% new
Day 11 100% new

After adjusting brands (if you choose to switch) perhaps you can start reducing the daily intake. Just take it one step at a time.
Thanks, I already started to switch Chloe and yes I'm going the slow way like you suggested
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old June 10th, 2011, 12:12 AM
mhikl's Avatar
mhikl mhikl is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 70
Pulling a Fast One

What about this? Make your smaller portion. Then cut it in half. Feed the half portion and have water close by.

Wait half an hour, put on a smile tell Chloe what a good pooch she is and plop the second half before her saying to her, "You're so good. You're so good".

Maybe your Chloe will think she's getting a bonus.
__________________
Know History, Not Just Your Folklore.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old June 10th, 2011, 12:32 AM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
Quote:
Originally Posted by mhikl View Post
What about this? Make your smaller portion. Then cut it in half. Feed the half portion and have water close by.

Wait half an hour, put on a smile tell Chloe what a good pooch she is and plop the second half before her saying to her, "You're so good. You're so good".

Maybe your Chloe will think she's getting a bonus.

lol...she might go for that
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old June 11th, 2011, 06:43 PM
Becca's Pet Becca's Pet is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3
Good Dog Foods

The higher quality the food the less the dog will need to eat. Anything that is purchased at a big box store is made of lower quality ingredients to keep costs down.

These are some good sites to get a start on finding good foods:
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php
http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1
http://www.uncaged.co.uk/petfood.htm

Lower quality ingredients like corn/soy/wheat/byproducts/chemicals/sugars etc are difficult to digest and do not satisfy the dog's hunger.

Higher quality ingredients are digestible and more satisfying so the dog will naturally need to eat less.

My 120lb Newfie gets 2-3 cups/day and my 60lb lab cross gets 1 cup/day; they in perfect shape and are very satisfied.

If the dog is really overweight then sometimes going on a reduced calorie like Natural Balance (which uses good wholesome ingredients) to get to the desired weight faster is an option.

Going to an independent pet store that specializes in natural products would be best.

Hope this is helpful.

Last edited by hazelrunpack; June 11th, 2011 at 09:44 PM. Reason: No self-promo, pls
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old June 12th, 2011, 10:56 PM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
Quote:
Originally Posted by Becca's Pet View Post
The higher quality the food the less the dog will need to eat. Anything that is purchased at a big box store is made of lower quality ingredients to keep costs down.

These are some good sites to get a start on finding good foods:
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php
http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1
http://www.uncaged.co.uk/petfood.htm

Lower quality ingredients like corn/soy/wheat/byproducts/chemicals/sugars etc are difficult to digest and do not satisfy the dog's hunger.

Higher quality ingredients are digestible and more satisfying so the dog will naturally need to eat less.

My 120lb Newfie gets 2-3 cups/day and my 60lb lab cross gets 1 cup/day; they in perfect shape and are very satisfied.

If the dog is really overweight then sometimes going on a reduced calorie like Natural Balance (which uses good wholesome ingredients) to get to the desired weight faster is an option.

Going to an independent pet store that specializes in natural products would be best.

Hope this is helpful.
Thanks so much, I did find Blue Lamb and Brown Rice and already started to switch all of them over....so far we been doing good on it and I can buy it at a local feed store
__________________
Owned by Jack, Golden Retriever born 2/2005
Chewie, Golden Retriever born 11/2006
Sadie, Lab/mix born 8/2007
Chloe, Golden Retriever born 10/2008

Always in my heart Spice, Peanut and little Charlie
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old June 15th, 2011, 07:26 PM
Becca's Pet Becca's Pet is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3
Glad that it was helpful!
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old June 15th, 2011, 11:25 PM
Claudia36oh's Avatar
Claudia36oh Claudia36oh is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 181
Quote:
Originally Posted by Becca's Pet View Post
Glad that it was helpful!
thanks again...I think I see some weight loss in Chloe already, for some reason she looks a bit smaller..might just be me..lol

Will find out at the end of the month, I'll take her in to get weight, when I pick up their heart worm pills
__________________
Owned by Jack, Golden Retriever born 2/2005
Chewie, Golden Retriever born 11/2006
Sadie, Lab/mix born 8/2007
Chloe, Golden Retriever born 10/2008

Always in my heart Spice, Peanut and little Charlie
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:49 AM.