Something that we have found in our clinic that works surprisingly well is just take out the treats and replace with a peice of dry kibble.  After talking to some owners of obese dogs and cats we discovered that they were feeding anywhere from 7-10 treats a day!  Way too much!  So after we convinced them to just replace their fatty treats with dry kibble it worked!  Along with more excersize we got 6 dogs down to goal weight within a 3 month period!  Weight charts really help too.

DNS83 October 14th, 2009 08:14:45 AM

We have an English bulldog mix who has torn CCLs (one replaced with surgery) and hip dysplaisia on one side.  The orthopedic surgeon, without seeing our dog but reading her height, recommended she weigh no more than 60 pounds.  She weighed about 78 at the time.  Upon seeing her barrel chest, he said "well...you might not be able to get her below 70.  But the lower, the better, I say."

We've gotten her down to 75, and it's held steady there for at least 6 months.  I can't see her ribs, but I think that's because she has so much loose skin.  No matter what we do, we can't seem to get her lower.  She eats 1-2 cups of food per day, and I take her for a daily 20-minute walk-run. I don't know if she could handle any more with the hip dysplaisia and knees.  She never gets any treats, ever.  I'm not sure what else we can do, but maybe this chart will help.  Is there anything else we should be doing, or just accept that this is as low as it goes??  Thank you.

Courtney October 14th, 2009 08:55:59 AM

I must confess, our two cats are both fat and lazy.  We feed them only the prescribed amount of food.  The one cat is on prescribtion food for bladder stones/crystals and the other is on Innova Evo.  I think with cats you are talking about an animal that should be out running about and instead is locked in a house.  Even if we play with them during their waking hours, there just isn't a way to do an equal amount to what they would do if living in the wild I guess.

Now our dog?  She gets plenty of excersise.  The dog is the canine equivilant of a body builder.  Not an ounce of fat.

EAB October 14th, 2009 09:03:03 AM

For cats, the best thing you can do, is to get them a playmate. Our 1st cat was not overweight, but was starting to get lazy. Once we got the kitten, the 2 kitties run and play all the time. It's nice to come home and see stuff misplaced, knocked off counters, etc...we know the cats were having fun.

As for cat treats, we give them the occasional piece of chicken, banana slice (don't know why they like it so much), mushroom or broccoli. Not too sure how good bananas and mushrooms are for cats though...

Mitsu October 14th, 2009 09:40:45 AM

1. Check the calorie count on your food. A lot of premium foods are VERY high in calories today, and the feeding recommendations are too high. Look at other brands -- there are good foods that may be 100-200 calories less per cup, even without being "lite" foods. By switching foods AND making a small reduction in feeding amount, you can make a big difference.

2. If you feed raw, consider what protein you are feeding. Beef is much higher in calories than, say, chicken breast or low fat turkey. Once again, it can make a big difference in the pet's calorie intake.

3. Not just treat selection, but if your dog isn't into veggies, get something like dehydrated patties that can be broken off into tiny pieces. A treat can be just a taste rather than a whole cookie. Plus, these items have actual nutritional value.

4. Go over everything that is going into your dog or cat in the course of a day, and ask yourself what high calorie items can be cut out or substituted. I was adding Showstopper for my dog's coat. It's almost all fat. Not feeding it anymore.

I know it will take time, but I see some difference. I need to get more exercise into my lazy boy's routine. But I definitely see more of a waistline.

Susan October 14th, 2009 09:44:00 AM

EAB: I'm big on building outdoor cat enclosures for maximum outdoor living––safely. Here's a post on this.

For Courtney: Do not accept that level if you cannot feel her ribs. Ask your vet to feel her and provide a body condition score. That should direct you. Here's a post on this.

Changing her diet to a higher protein food (instead of a weight loss formula) may help, too. But remember, you need less of this food since higher protein diets are usually more calorically dense. Check out the calorie counts on foods by checking out the weight loss tools I referenced in the Pet Obesity Prevention website. 

Dr. Patty Khuly October 14th, 2009 09:44:40 AM

Thanks Dr. Khuly,

All great advice. But I would also recommend that pet parents also exersize with their animals for exactly the same health benefits. This time not only gives you fresh air but you can also observe your pet's behavior, interactions with other people and animals, and if they are "going to the bathroom" normally. You might even meet your neighbor.

Thanks again,

Robert

Robert October 14th, 2009 10:43:13 AM

Dogs: Higher protein, fewer cals; measure, measure, measure.  Stickies on the cabinet telling volumes for each dog so I don't have to trust my lousy "memory".  Annual "no dogs over their target weights in my house" day.  WooHoo!

Cats: Since the move, they have more space and an enclosed porch.  They're looking better already but I've got a ways to go with 2 of the 3.  #3 is Tigger and he got that name because he's bouncy.  He's just naturally active.  The other 2 won't chase anything, treats included.  They're couch potatoes by nature.  The younger of these 2 is more active since the move but has NOT lost an ounce.  This year's goal, switch to "blender bird" food for them :)

PJBoosinger October 14th, 2009 10:49:06 AM

Courtney - what do you mean 1-2 cups? That's much too wide a range. Measure all food carefully, don't free feed. Decide how much you need to feed/day based on calories & weight, divide in half & feed once in morning and once in evening. This way, if you used treats for training during the day you can reduce the evening meal accordingly.

If you feel the volume of food looks too meager in the bowl, consider adding a bit of frozen raw green beans - adds volume and crunch but little (if any) calories. (I don't think they absorb anything from green beans...)

I would have her walk another 30 min/day for a total of 60min/day at least. But NO running - just walk, preferably on grass, rather than on asphalt/cement/trail. Depending on her endurance, she may need 3x20 min walks or even 4x15 min walks and you should work up to them so you don't over strain her.

Also see if you can find a doggy pool in your area. Getting her swimming in a K9 therapy pool once a week would be excellent.

hornblower October 14th, 2009 11:06:21 AM

The outdoor shelter for one of our cats might work.  The second cat, I am not so sure as he is petrified of the great outdoors.  Note he lost his mommy before he was weaned and he was "lost" in the great outdoors for four days before he presented himself at our door.  Once he came in, he never left.  We'll work with him...

EAB October 14th, 2009 11:32:24 AM

When we got our dog, she weighed 49.5 lbs (fully grown adult dog) and was slightly underweight (she had come into the shelter with worms and at only 43lbs, had gained a bit of weight, but still needed another couple pounds).  Since she was a new dog, needed to gain a bit of weight, and we weren't sure what her calorie requirements would be just yet, she ended up gaining 6 lbs.  Far too much!  We ended up doing a number of things to get the weight off.

1. We cut back on the amount of food.  She was just eating more than she needed for her activity level.  She now either eats a cup and a half of kibble (Blue Buffalo) or a cup of kibble and some chicken, beef, or other meat as an addition.  We also make sure only ONE person feeds her as we found out one would feed her and the other would think she hadn't been fed, so fed her again.

2. We also cut back on the amount of treats.  We were bad with those when we first got her!  Buying her love with food. LOL

3. Exercise exercise exercise.  We take her for long walks every day.  We let her run around off leash in the park and around the pond and on various hikes.  We take her to the dog park to let her play with other dogs.  Anything that gets her moving!

4. Best exercise?  Running through snow!  We would take her down to the park all last winter and let her run through the 2+ feet of snow.  She LOVED it and it really helped.  Tromping through all of that snow is a lot harder and burns a lot more calories, so don't be afraid to get out there in the cold and snow!

She lost 3.5 lbs last winter and has held steady at 52 lbs since then.  You can't "see" her ribs because she's a furry monster, but every few days I run my hands down her sides to feel them to make sure she hasn't gained weight.  She has a nice indentation past her ribs and she has a good tuckup (you also have to feel for that one as, again, she's a hairy monster!). 

All that winter exercise is also great for people.  I lost 11 lbs last winter!

Crysania October 14th, 2009 11:46:34 AM

Thanks for this! We are always reminding Tripawds members about the importance of keeping our three legged friends fit and trim. And that often means getting pretty creative, as they tire – if only physically – much easier!

We recommend more frequent, shorter walks – say, 15-20 minutes a few times a day instead of a single one-hour walk. We also suggest a diet high in fiber to keep things moving, and shy away from high-fat commercial foods with lots of fillers. We prefer feeding a mix of raw, supplemented with high-grade, no grain dry foods, and/or home-made stews. Our new spokespup Wyatt loves his chicken and vegetables. It's keeping him on the healthy side, and works wonders for his coat!

tripawds.com October 14th, 2009 11:52:34 AM

Eat less (save money) & exercise. However, dog walks are rarely exercise. Ten steps, bark, 15 steps, sniff, 10 steps, pee, 15 steps, etc. etc. etc.

Just like people, animals need an elevated heart rate to really exercise.

Check with your doctor and your veterinarian and go running.

Or, if your lazy, dog parks. The dogs know what to do.

Robert October 14th, 2009 12:24:49 PM

We have a game we play in the evening.. I cut the dehydrated treats into tiny pieces, and scatter the pieces throught the house.. I let Socks go on a hunt.. I have a happy dog.. and he gets the excercise.. It's pretty funny watching him rooting under blankets, pillows, and rugs..

barri October 14th, 2009 12:57:56 PM

Susan, I have to disagree with you on "2. If you feed raw, consider what protein you are feeding. Beef is much higher in calories than, say, chicken breast or low fat turkey. Once again, it can make a big difference in the pet's calorie intake"

Advising to cut red meat out of a raw diet IMO is a really bad idea. Red meat is much more nutrient dense and more species-appropriate for dogs that are on a raw diet. I try to only feed poultry like chicken or turkey 2 times a week. The solution when gaining weight on a raw diet is simply to increase exercise and decrease meal portions, not cut out nutrients. :)

Carissa October 14th, 2009 01:48:12 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone.  I'll try to get a more precise plan from my vet. Right now we're feeding a super-premium food and she normally gets 1 cup in the morning, 1 cup at night, but occasionally we will skip a meal for her and increase the next one (but not double it - hence hte 1-2 cup range).  1 cup per day seems way too small an amount for a 70-something pound dog..but I don't know the calorie count of her food.  An Internet search tells me it is 360-370 calories per cup, depending on the variety.  I found a great listing at petobesityprevention.com

According to the papers at the site Dr. Patty listed, the dog should really be getting 1020 calories per day, which comes out to 2.8 cups of food.  So maybe I'm slowing down her metabolism by underfeeding.  I'll talk to my vet.  Meanwhile my other dog is getting 4 cups per day (should be getting 3 according to the chart), we drag him along for a 5-minute walk every day,  and he's lean and always hungry.

This stuff is so complicated.  How on Earth is the average pet owner supposed to figure it out?  Argh.

Courtney October 14th, 2009 02:22:28 PM

I give my dog ice cubes as a treat.  She still gets other things, but this way I can make her feel special without adding any calories to her diet.

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Mike October 14th, 2009 04:03:22 PM

Our older dog (shepherd mix)has always been lean.Our two younger dogs(Rottie and American Bulldog mix)stay at the correct weight with two walks a day and supervised play in the backyard two to four times a day.Our vet says our American Bulldog is the most well muscled dog that comes into the practice.We feed all three dogs four cups a day of Nutro and they all do well on it.The 13 y/o does not always eat all his dinner,but we want him to keep on as much weight as he can in case he has an illness.

Susan H October 14th, 2009 05:23:18 PM

Here are some of the tips I give my weight-loss clients (the pets are the ones losing weight, though some of the owners could use weight loss too!):

• Cut out fatty treats - beggin' strips have 670 kcalories each!  Other commercial treats are not that high, but are high calorie nevertheless, as well as being full of chemicals.  Just toss them in the garbage.
• Feed kibble as treats.  I have my dogs' kibble in the treat jar - and they don't know the difference!
• Feed things like green beans, carrots, apple pieces, ice cubes, etc, as treats.  They are low calorie, and most dogs like one of these.
• If your dog begs when you eat, and you can't resist, put a small amount of kibble on your table (or plate) and give that a piece at a time to the dog.  He will think he got some of your food, and be happy with it (usually).
• for cats, feed a high-quality, low carb canned food.  If you must feed kibble, put out a very small amount - 1/4 cup is more than enough for most cats at a meal, and maybe all day.
• NO ad lib feeding - in other words, food should not be freely available.  I have a lot of clients whose pets almost roll in the door who say "but he never eats anything!"  Obviously he IS eating plenty!  I figure an appropriate amount, and we adjust that amount as they bring the pet in for weigh-ins every 2-4 weeks.
• Use the amounts on the food bag as a guide only!  Feed to your dog or cat's body condition.  You should see an hour-glass waist from above, a tuck up behind the ribs from the side, and the ribs should be easy to feel.  Check it weekly, and if you see extra padding, cut back the food slightly.  If the dog is a bit thinner, feed a little more.
• Write down everything that goes in your pet's mouth!  (Works for people too - I lost 50# doing this!
• Remember that your pet is much smaller than you, and needs very little food compared to a person.
• Don't be fooled by foods that say 'Light' or 'Low Calorie' etc, on the package.  This does not mean it is really low calorie - it only has to be a certain percentage lower than the regular version of that food (sorry, don't have my AAFCO manual at home, and can't remember the exact percentage!).  I've seen some of the more calorically dense foods in a light version that still contain twice as many calories as something like Dog Chow (which I don't normally recommend, by the way).

Crysania is right - a lot of people are buying love with food; or maybe I should say, showing love with food.  But they are killing their pets.  I wish I could get that message through to more people - STOP KILLING YOUR PETS WITH FOOD!!!

I still love the story of the client who swore up and down to me that her dog was only getting the measured amount of food, and she didn't know why he wasn't losing weight.  It got to a point that I didn't want to cut back any farther.  Then one of the receptionists came to me after the client left, and said that the client said to the dog as they left, "You were such a good dog!  Let's go to McDonald's and get your hamburger!".  I called the client and (nicely) asked her about that, then the truth came out.  The dog was getting all kinds of other food, including a DAILY burger from McDonald's!  No wonder he wasn't losing weight!

Then there is the quadraplegic client who claimed his 50# cocker was getting a 2 mile walk every day.  When I questioned him, he said "Yes, I put on his leash, he hops in my lap (as the client sits in his electric wheelchair), and we go 2 miles every day!"  ;-D  (absolutely true story!)

Sassy October 14th, 2009 07:25:51 PM

well, i give my cat a lot more reason to exercise.. she likes the red and green laser pointer and she just runs after it.. i make her run for it for at least 30 minutes daily.. i got it from www.laser-pointers.net and its quite cheap as well..

k9tech October 15th, 2009 01:38:43 AM

Good suggestions all Sassy.  But unfortunately some dogs DO know the difference between yummy treat and kibble.  I've tried kibbles as treats/training treats: no dice.  She turns her nose up at it.  She'll eat it in her bowl as her meal, but she won't touch it as a treat.  It's just not interesting enough!  She also won't touch one fruit or veggie.  We've tried them all and everyone gets the "why the heck are you trying to give me THAT crap" look.

So we opt for healthier treats and train using a rolled meat product that's intended to be eaten as dog food, rather than as a treat.  On days we have training class, what she eats in class is subtracted from her meal to balance things out.

I think free feeding where you always keep a bowl full and treats are where people fall down with feeding their pets most often.  We semi-free feed where we put her cup and a half into the bowl and allow her to eat it when she wants throughout the evening.  Sometimes she eats it all at once; sometimes she eats part of it and comes back for the rest a couple hours later.  Once it's gone, it's gone for the day.  And we try to watch her treat intake.  She's in great shape.  More muscled than she was when we got her and nice and lean with a good body shape.

Exercise is the other area that I see so many people falling down.  Come winter we don't see many dogs out.  I always have to wonder where all the dogs have gone that we saw all spring and summer.  Now that the weather is turning cold and blustery I see less people and once there's snow on the ground, we can sometimes go for an entire walk (an hour or more) without seeing one other dog!

Crysania October 15th, 2009 01:03:24 PM

I have four cats, one is a little on the heavier side. They all love to play with the DaBird (feather and furrthing). This is the only toy that gets them all going, jumping high, running, chasing... I have to stop once they start panting. I tried it on the older (and lazy) cats of my neighbor, they loved it as well.

Might be worth a try for some...

Also, I installed a cat fence (net) on top of my wooden backyard fence. it is secure, they can't get out, but they have access to the whole yard this way. Chasing bugs, leaves, each other and the occasional mouse or snake. Since they are able to be outdoors like that, they have become much more active and my heavy guy lost a lot of weight.

Georgia October 15th, 2009 01:03:50 PM

I don't understand why people allow pets to be fat.  I have three dogs, and unfortunately their weight has varied.  During the summer months they are out a lot more, and I rotate foods and now feed raw.

So, they have been plump, but it is easy enough to take it off once I realize it.  Being a good weight is so beautiful and healthy, it is not a challenge, at least for me, as a single provider who can control everything.

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