Weight loss for dogs
When we first brought Calvin home from the shelter I thought he was perfect. His cute little face, his chubby little tummy — just adorable.
After a few days I noticed he was nursing his back left leg. This being my first dog and all, I was freaked out and took him to the vet the very next day.
It turns out that Calvin was quite overweight. My vet told me that it is common for little dogs to get serious knee issues when they are overweight. He asked how much I've been feeding him, and I told him that I fill his bowl when it's empty. (That's how we did it when I was growing up.) He shook his head no and set me straight.
I learned that day that Calvin is not the type of dog that can be free-fed. The vet told me I should be feeding him a 1/2 a cup a day, twice a day. Growing up, our family dogs were always big, I really had no idea how much small dogs ate.
When we adopted Calvin he weighed 12 pounds and now he weighs 9. He still has a limp but it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be.
I know that overweight pets is a real problem. I want to know how do you help your pets lose weight?
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
My sheltie had gained a bit of weight and the vet put her on the green bean diet. She has her half cup of kibble in the morning and a 1/4 cup at night with half a can of no salt green beans.She's done really well and now would rather have a green bean than a cookie for a treat.
Posted by: Bonnie | April 16, 2008 11:34 AM
Angie, you know this a topic close to my heart, given Dolan and his food issues. A couple years ago, our vet said he needed to lose weight (he was a 16-pound cat). We finally got him to drop 3 pounds, a real accomplishment. We did it by measuring everything that went into his bowl. He had a set allotment every day. We doled it out to him in very small portions so that when he started complaining he was hungry, we could give him a little something.
Posted by: Diane Lade | April 16, 2008 1:26 PM
I put the dog on a low protein diet and feed once a day with a bone to chew on later in the day. If the dog is in good condition(no leg problems) walk it for daily exercise.
Posted by: anthony | April 17, 2008 1:34 PM
I put the dog on a low protein diet and feed once a day with a bone to chew on later in the day. If the dog is in good condition(no leg problems) walk it for daily exercise.
Posted by: anthony | April 17, 2008 1:34 PM