Older overweight Sheepie
He told me the best thing I can do for it is to take about 20lbs off of him ( he did weigh in at 101 lbs) Max is 11 years old. So I was wondering what food recomendations some of you may have for an older overweight sheepie. We have started going for short walks twice a day. And the vet prescribed Metacam once a day and glucosamine chondroitin with avocodo oil 2 times a day. He is on a large breed formula right now, but I'm guessing since I'm giving him the glocosamine seperatly it woundn't hurt to switch him to a different food. |
|
|
| You might go with a senior food and consider replacing some of the kibbles with vegetables. Go slow until you learn what he will eat. I remind you we took 65 lbs off Glacier with a kibble and green bean diet. Then over time we whittled another 10 off her with senior food and attention to snacks, etc. While Jack would eat any vegetable, MO and Harry will only eat cooked carrots or zucchini but even then they must be incorporated into the turkey/oatmeal gruel. Also consider fish oil and Vit C supplements for Max along with the Glucosamine. If you have access to pool therapy for dogs, that would help, exercise without strain. Now that's it's cooling off, walks will be fun for both of you. |
65lbs off of Glacier?!?  Wow, Susan, I didn't realize she had to lose all that weight. We've got a girl in rescue right now that we're having to do that for, too. She came in weighing a whopping 126 lbs and basically unable to walk more than a few feet at at time. Poor thing isn't that old either - only 6. Her owners were an older couple who showed their love with food.  On her frame she should weigh about 65 lbs. Her foster parents are doing a fantastic job getting her weight off. She's dropped 20+ lbs and is now able to walk short distances. Agreed - slow & steady is the best way to do it. Reduce kibble amount and add veggies. Moderate exercise. |
Glacier was a foster Great Pyrenees who came to us weighing 75 pounds. On her small legs she looked like a chunky labrador but it all worked. She was adopted out...and out...and out until about 4 years later I met the rescue coordinator during jury duty and said, "We've always regretted not adopting Glacier." Not a month later the coordinator called and said Glacier has flunked her latest placement. Of course we said, "Bring her here!" She waddled out of the car weighing nearly 160 lbs! She took one look around and knew where she was, went straight to the hidden water tub. We thought diabetic, but no, just fat. She ate 1/2 can no salt green beans along with some kibble twice a day for nearly a year. We exchanged kibble once in awhile for mackerel, changed the greenbeans to other veggies, but generally that was her main diet. Funny, after her weight got down below 100 or even 90 we quit the green beans. From that point on she'd not eat them again  She never lost her food fetish. She'd clean my kitchen floor for crumbs and then work on the cabinets where something might have spilled. I really miss Merry Maid, now I have to sweep the floor! |
I cut back on treats for Oliver and also started giving him spoon size shredded wheat. Not the stuff with sugar. He really likes them and to date has lost 10 lbs in aprx 2 months. I do keep telling him how handsome he is.  |
| I have to endorse the green bean diet. It works great...almost 20lbs for each dog and they don't feel deprived. What I did was exchange half their food with greenbeans and got more exercise. It takes a little time but thats what "they" say is best and the pounds stay off. Wish it was that easy for me. |
| I need to get some weight off my girl. How much green beans do you use and do they make they more gassy? I usually give one cup kibble twice a day. So would it be half a cup of kibble and half green beans? |
| Exchange an equal amount of food taken away with the green beans. I did this with Pooh Bear, too. He loved green beans. I sometimes did the french style, etc...alternating different veggies. He loved mixed veggies and sweet potatoes! |
| I feed Dudley, my diabetic Bichon/Poodle, green beans and kiddle too. He is your typical Type II Diabetic -- he was a pork sausage on legs in his younger years. I have found giving him 1/2 green beans and 1/2 kibble mixed with a tablespoon of wet food is the best. He has lost close to 10 lbs and giving him green beans has kept his blood sugars regulated better then anything else I have tried. I get the 5 lb bag of French Style Green Beans at Costco and they are about $6.50/bag. I use to chopped them up in the food processor but lately haven't been doing that. Ellie and Lulu (OES) love to eat them as well. They get a few while I am getting their food ready. And the green beans are very good so I eat them as well. I think I am only a member of Costco and Sam's for my animals. It might take some time to get the weight off but it's better to go slow so it won't come back. Good luck, Michelle |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|