Slow Metabolism

BeckyBeagal

Is it possible dogs have fast/slow metabolism like human?
Becky is usually 21 lbs and I give her recomamanded daily amount of dry food by manufacturer. And some sccoby, doggy bone kinda treat if she learns new trick or behaves real good. Maybe small piece of cheese, or bite of the dinner we are eating since she is a begger.

She loves being outside, sunny rainny, cold she doesn't care. When it's sunny she is in backyard all day except her meal time. That may not mean she would be running around whole time but she loves to chase squarrels so I see her running pretty often. (she thinks she can catch squarrels, and is a hunter )

However, she seems to be getting heavier, specially her middle section is getting really bigger even that little amount of food and that much activity So I wonder she has slow metabolism (poor thing )
Any opinion would be appreciated

MagicToller

Ofcourse, Metabolisms in dogs can range as colorfully as the amount of breeds there are. Change in metabolism can lead to serious conditions though, how is her poop?

Curbside Prophet

I'm sorry if I've missed this in your other posts, but does she get any other form of exercise? If so, how much and how often? Has she been to the vet recently?

BeckyBeagal

Magictoller : She takes care of it outside (I think) sometimes she makes mistakes inside, dark brown/black color solid. Why is that?

Curbside Prophet : Ummm, Weired it's my first post on metabolism.. anyways.
We rescuded her on 30th Nov 2006, she was infected with something (like kennel coughs) she got better after she got 2 shots during first visit but antibiotics didn't work at all. So we went back. got the other antibiotics it worked on her great. To answer your question, we took her to vet 2 times in Dec, 06. (Her lungs clear, no heartworm, everything else was fine). Prophet, what's your dog's breed, some kind of terrier? So cute!!!!

* By the way, do you guys feed only recommanded amount of food by manufacturer + little treat to train her? Thank you.

MagicToller

Ok that doesn't sound as bad as I feared - I was just making sure she didn't have signs of pancreatic insufficiency.. usually the poop is really, really light and takes on a VERY rancid smell on top of the usual feces smell.

Edit:

Mmm.. generally I speak to my vet first to make sure everything is working right and then decide on a ration along with advice from my breeder - I'm a little sketchy about the labels on the large name companies in general. What kind of treats do you use to train her?

Puppy & Dog Forums

 

BeckyBeagal

Oh I see. Thank you so much for your concern. I am too relieved thanks to you.

FranMan

I don't feed my beagle by what is says. I feed her so she looks good and not overweight. I did read the bag and it pretty much said to do that. I do that with Sabot also. The I was at the vet today (his first visit) and was asking the vet what food he likes. He said whatever he is on is doing good and his weight is right. My dogs don't over eat tho. There has been many times I'll check and there will still be food in the dish. I have seen a beagle that had to be 70lbs, no lie this thing was huge. It had a fat roll on top of it back hanging over it's tail. The owner looked the same, I hate to say that but she was very overweight also.

Curbside Prophet

I'm sorry, I didn't mean in this thread...whether you mentioned your dog's exercise routine in other threads, I missed it. But it sounds like your dog has been recovering from a bug, and she's still very new to you that you probably don't have an exercise routine yet. But when she's otherwise healthy, I think an exercise routine will help in maintaining her weight. For the most part I started with the recommendations on the bag, but I also had to adjust the quantity based on my observations and measurements over time. If I noticed a weight gain, I cut her food back 10% until it stabilized for a few months. So on and so forth. As for treats, I try to choose treats that I consider to be healthy. Carrots, low calorie dog biscuits like "Buddy Biscuits", stuff like that. And I try to avoid most commercial dog treats...some of them are so convoluted with weird ingredients that I can't agree to buy them. However, if your dog is highly food motivated, I would not hesitate in using her daily ration of kibble as training aids. In fact, this is my preferred training reward with Elsa. BTW, Elsa is a mini schnauzer, and thanks for the compliment. But don't say it too loudly, because I don't want it to go to her head.

BeckyBeagal

Magictoller : As you may know I haveher for a month, My husband had doggy bone for his hamsters, I use that also we bought Scooby Treat and some Fake bones, supposed to be good to dog's teeth. Sometimes I feed her mixture of veggies as a substitute of her meal. As a beginner, the label on the package was only guide line I can go with. I would ask my vet next time I visit him ( I really wish I don't have to)

FranMan : As Grandma said, if there is nothing nice to say just close the hole under your nose. Anyways, my Becky(beagle) has a great apetite and not picky at all when it comes down to food. Her weight is actually lower range of female small/medium dogs, which is 21~23lbs. She is 21. Thing is she looks chubby, my hubby who loves Becky as well, makes fund of me overfeeding her. I know it's joke but sometimes it gets annoying. As I said before, I don't overfeed her.

Curbside Prophet: No I don't have exercise routine yet. I used to be exercise phenatic- I used to work out 6 times a week 60 to 90 min at a time, but after the injury(Herninating/ruptured disks), it is really hard to keep up with Becky even walking, and cannot control her wheb she becomes stubbern. It is very very frustrating, to realize you are limited to any type of physical activity due to injury.

Becky has been really good, I consider her my daughter. hehehe

Thank you to you all

Puppy & Dog Forums