i'm in shock, & ashamed (dog related)

Joannafit

Joannafit

Cathlete
oh my........i just got back from the vet, my golden's annual checkup. he just turned 2.........and he has gained almost 20 lbs in 1 year. he weighs a whopping 82.7. I am so upset with myself, as well as other members of the family. i guess the old saying is true:

if your dog is too fat, you are not getting enough excercise.

we treat heavily, and it must stop. please tell me ways you helped your pet shed a few. the vet wants him around 65 lbs by next year. i am going to bring him in quarterly for a weight. i about died, and i am truly embarrassed and ashamed.;(
 
Rather than be embarrassed and ashamed why not focus on getting your dog healthy (and perhaps yourself if what you say is true) again. It's hard to resist those lovable dogs eyes when they want a treat. I always have to remind my family that my dog does not eat people food.
 
"if your dog is too fat, you are not getting enough excercise."

Not necessarily! Our little Gracie was a porker and she got daily walks plus acted like an idiot chasing squirrels and "her dog," Gilda in the backyard. We swore at one of her weigh-in's that she'd be lighter by the next one. A year later, she'd gained more. We started accurately measuring her food, and she gets her treat once a day, Zuke's Hip Action. Now, rarely, I may let her lick the peanut butter knife, but that's it.

A year later, she'd lost 10 pounds. She looks better, seems to feel better, and jumps around a lot more.

So, in a nutshell, MEASURE THE FOOD & LIMIT THE TREATS. An extra walk here and there doesn't hurt either or you, of course.;-)
 
I know what you are saying about treating your puppers!! Our dog gets a sm scoop in the am and a scoop in the pm or purina healthy weight. My BF likes to treat her all the time!! Its hard to say no, But, sometimes we have to. She does get a lot of excercise however, so it all evens out

Melissa
 
Hi Joanna,

I would echo the other suggestions of fewer treats and more exercise.

Regarding exercise, does your Golden get the chance to play off-leash with other dogs like at a daycare, dog park, fenced in play date, etc? Dogs play a LOT harder and burn more energy in activities like that than walking or playing with humans.

Don't be ashamed, we've all been there...those pleading eyes are hard to resist. :)
 
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think 82 lbs is fat for a golden retriever. I guess it depends on their height & breadth, but my golden weighed about 90 lbs & he was very fit & healthy. Cosmo, half lab/half chow, weighed about 80 lbs most of her life until she couldn't get around easily, & even then she only gained about 5 lbs.

Maybe your dog's weight gain has more to do w/maturing rather than overeating & lack of exercise?
 
We have a 155 pounder (Newfoundland) named George!:)
He is the treat machine, my DH stands in front of the fridge, with George right by his side, one for my DH, one for George!:)
Its pretty funny, but I keep Georgie's weight down with his daily walks, he looks forward to his walk everyday and never, ever lets me off the hook.
I also try and "play" fetch, etc...as much as possible, Newfies are known for their laid back personalities, so you have to encourage movement as much as possible (kinda like myself I guess!:p )
And it also helps that they are notorious broccoli lovers!! A good low cal treat :9
 
Check the label of your pet food for the carb content.

I think you can give treats to your dog. The cheapest treat I have found (and no calories) are ice cubes! My dogs race to the fridge whenever we open it and it works for me ;)

Carola
 
I didn't think that was too much for a male golden either. Mine weighs about 78 lbs, doesn't get much exercise at all, and is fitter than ever. He'll be 2 in May. Most of the weight is in his big head though :p We just had to stop giving him treats because he has food allergies. My poor boy has had surgery already on his left shoulder for OCD, has hip displaysia, and now allergies. :( He does get walked, and he plays a lot in the backyard, but was originally given to me as a future running partner. That will never happen outside, but he's my faithful and loyal running partner when I'm on my treadmill!

oops, went off track. Does your golden look overweight?
Brandi
 
It's hard to give up treats if you are used to giving them out. Ask your vet about healthy snacks. Some dogs will eat vegetables for snacks. I've tried carrots. One dog ate them, the other wouldn't.
 
This has happened to me and I felt like such a bad mom!

My male lab is 10 now - a couple years back was pushing 95+ pounds and I got the lecture from the vet. I'm so glad I did! We switched to a premium quality lamb & rice food, started measuring (3/4c x 2), talking an extra walk each day, limiting the treats and using carrots as supplemental "treats" so he didn't feel so deprived.

He's now down to between 82-85 and everyone swears he looks younger and better than ever. Last year we added a liquid fish oil and a glucosamine supplement - his coat looks great!

Don't feel bad - be thankful that you've learned this early and can take measures to ensure a long and healthy life for your dog!

Good luck! ~jasper
 
thanks for the replies...my dog is a medium size male..and he does not have the visible indent of his waist. i was just shocked that he put on 20 lbs in the year. he does not have the opportunity to go off leash in a dog park, but i will try it in the spring. he walks at least a mile everyday, but most days are 2-3 miles.

it is my job to take the best care of him possible, and i am appauled at my behavior. we are gearing up for a walk now!!
 
As I look around at my little porkers (cats), I can relate!

I think animals suffer as much as humans do from processed foods and lack of activity. To many calories in, and too few calories out.

While my cat Scooter was around, I didn't want to change anyone's diet, or withhold food, because he liked to nibble all day. But now, everyone is on a weight-loss program! I am now feeding them the reduced-calorie food, and paying attention to actually give them the amount that is recommended. They are not happy! But hopefully they will be healthier. I also have more time to play 'fish' with Bobsie, who is the smallest (from front-to-back, and top-to-bottom, but not necessarily from side to side, or around!) to get her metabolism going a bit.


One thing you might watch out for is 'snacking,' especially since there are several people in your family. I little 'bite' of something from one person, added to a 'treat' from another, with a 'you're a good boy' 'reward' from a third person can add up over the course of a week, month or year.


Maybe we should start a pet-weight-watchers check-in? ;-)
 
I have a Chesapeake that gained about 25 extra pounds because I was free-feeding him. I got a weight-control dog food and went so far as to measure out a week's worth of meals and put each meal in a "baggie" so I wouldn't be tempted to heap the cups a bit to give him "just a little more". He was down to a good weight when he had a front leg amputated about a year later. I was really glad I had taken care of his weight problem because life would have been a lot more difficult for him. Best of luck in getting your baby down to a healthy weight.
 
Hi, Joanna

When the weather here in the NE cooperates, I try to take my golden for a 2-3 mile walk around our park. We also cut her food portion just slightly from a heaping cup morn and night to level cups. it took a while, but she lost about 8-10 pounds.

I just heard on a syndicated radio talk show- Bob and Tom - that multiple dog owner and lover Tom, put one of his dogs-I believe a golden, also-on the green bean diet. He got half his food and half green beans at his meals. This, I believe, was on advice of his vet. He said that you may need to supplement the dog Beano, for obvious reasons, but only at first, cuz then the dog's system gets used to the beans! :*
Also try carrots and/or ice cubes as treats!
Good Luck!

Doreen
 
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