[LW4E]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums, and signed up because I am worried about my Jack Russel Terrier, Bandit. She's going to be five years old in September. I don't know exactly how much she weighs now, but I do know she would be consisdered "obese."

For the better half of her life, she has been rather pudgy, but now its getting to a point where she won't go for walks anymore and just lies down all day. Everybody in my house tries to get her out, but she rarely wants to walk.

She's been on diet food for maybe two or three years now and it doesn't seem to work, even when she would go for regular walks.

I know part of the problem is people in my house feeding her table scraps, myself and my sister are the only ones who refuse to do so as we think it's only contributing to the problem that everyone is so "worried" about.

I'd liketo know what can be done about this, its getting to a point where I am fearing for her life.

 

[Willowy]

"Diet" food won't do any good if you feed too much of it. What brand is it and how much do you feed her?

You do need to make everyone stop giving her table scraps; ALL of her food needs to be carefully measured and controlled. She can still have a little table food, but the calories need to be subtracted from her daily food portion.

Having the vet run a thyroid panel would be a good idea. Low thyroid function can make losing weight extremely difficult.

 

[Pai]

Less food, more exercise. Find out how many calories are in her food, and how much she should be getting every day. Adjust portions accordingly, and NO MORE SCRAPS. Fat dogs die young and have all the same health problems as obese people. It's not a fun life for them.

 

[HORSEandHOUND]

Explain to the others in your family that an obese pet lives 3 years less than one that maintains a healthy weight. Everyone has to be on the same page to help your dog

 

[rosemaryninja]

I agree, EVERYONE has to help with cutting down her weight.

Forget the diet food -- cut down on her portions by about 25%. You can make up the remaining 25% with green beans just to fill the space in her stomach. After a couple of weeks you can lower it again.

Walks, walks, walks. Even if it means just getting her out on the street for five minutes. Start small and work upwards. Play games at home like fetch, things that will get her up and running.

NO MORE SCRAPS.

 

[LW4E]

"Diet" food won't do any good if you feed too much of it. What brand is it and how much do you feed her?

You do need to make everyone stop giving her table scraps; ALL of her food needs to be carefully measured and controlled. She can still have a little table food, but the calories need to be subtracted from her daily food portion.

Having the vet run a thyroid panel would be a good idea. Low thyroid function can make losing weight extremely difficult.

I believe the brand is called "Medi-Cal Calorie Control" and for a dog her size, it directs to give anywhere from 3/4 cup - 1 and 3/4 cups per day. We give her 1/4 of a cup per feeding, I've always thought the serving size was kind of small, I'd estimate that 1/4 of a cup is anywhere from 20-25 kibbles, it doesn't even cover the bottom of her dish.

I agree, EVERYONE has to help with cutting down her weight.

Forget the diet food -- cut down on her portions by about 25%. You can make up the remaining 25% with green beans just to fill the space in her stomach. After a couple of weeks you can lower it again.

Walks, walks, walks. Even if it means just getting her out on the street for five minutes. Start small and work upwards. Play games at home like fetch, things that will get her up and running.

NO MORE SCRAPS.

I would love to be able to play with her, it's been too long to remember since she was actually willing to play. Every now and then I'll see her in her bed knawing on one of her stuffed animals, but it is very rare that I see that.