Comments on: Seven secrets to successful canine weight loss

By: Doug Dovers

Doug Dovers — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:03:14 +0000

Dogs have not evolved to eat carbs. what does a wolf eat?
I would like your comments.
My eating habits have completely changed since reading Gary Taubes’ books. If you vet him you will see that he has a very high credibility. All science, not anecdotal views, which contradict much of the common wisdom you espouse.
Thanks.

By: 3rd Lori

3rd Lori — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:00:31 +0000

Well, I am a retired therapist, LOL. I just care about their dogs!

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:33:26 +0000

I’m not a therapist, LOL. I can’t figure out half of what *I* do, let alone other people, so I just put the info out there and let people do with it what they will.

By: 3rd Lori

3rd Lori — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:24:21 +0000

Oh, Thanks for the help. :) I really do appreciate it. :)

By: 3rd Lori

3rd Lori — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:23:42 +0000

You should try getting some of these people to go to the vet! :(
I already pay for my 3 and one or two others occasionally. There’s nothing worse than a middle-aged Chihuahua that looks like an overstuffed bratwurst on toothpicks!

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:11:31 +0000

Whatever you feed, you need to calculate the caloric needs of the dog in question, then get the calories of the food from the company or its website (since it’s not given on the label the way it is in human food), and then feed accordingly. That’s true across the board for all foods, commercial or homemade.

The steps I give in this post are the same regardless: First, to the vet. If the dog is very overweight, reduce the calories in stages. Monitor weight weekly. Consider a formula labeled for “active weight loss” if simple portion control of a regular food isn’t working, and go back to the vet if the dog isn’t losing weight on his properly-calculated calorie level.

By: 3rd Lori

3rd Lori — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:56:20 +0000

So, now I’m confused a bit. I understand the part about not adding green beans, etc. I’ve heard that anecdotally, but I can’t say it makes any sense at all. My 3 Goldens have never been overweight and completely self-regulating until death at 12 and 13 for the first 2. The eat about 1/2 as much in the hot weather than in the winter. (I live in a cold climate.) They have all been intact males. (I don’t breed, no oops litters, just prefer their temperament and feel it is safer, healthwise.) My Lab mix, a neutered dog, is also self-regulating. My current Golden is not even a big exerciser or eater & he is my thinnest dog.

This question comes up all the time with my friends who own pets. I even pay for some of them to feed better quality food. I understand that so-called weight reduction food is basically useless. Would a high protein or grain-free food be appropriate in an otherwise healthy, younger obese dog. What about raw? I feed my dogs Calif. Naturals Lamb & Rice due to wheat allergies plus 1/4 lb raw weight cooked hamburger (human grade) with the grease drained off twice a day. Plus I give all protein treats — dehydrated liver, etc., and cut them into smaller pieces.

I feel a little guilty because I don’t feed raw. But I don’t want to drive all over the place & use up a lot of gas.

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:25:29 +0000

Ingrid, you’re right — cats are very different. I will plan a cat weight loss post, too!

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:24:35 +0000

Deanna… have you done it WITHOUT the added bulk?

Since dogs have no dietary requirement for carbohydrate, and all it provides is energy (calories), why not just leave it out?

I don’t think what you’re saying and I’m saying are any different, other than for that issue. I believe that the simple portion control you instituted would have taken care of it. The fiber is for us, so we don’t’ feel like we’re starving our dogs. Or maybe to make eating take longer, to psych them out. If so, fine. But it really doesn’t increase satiety in the brain.

By: Nancy J. Silberstein

Nancy J. Silberstein — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:11:40 +0000

Ingrid,

My big orange cat was over-weight, per the vet, but only eating two small cans of wet food a day. The vet said not to cut back on his food, but to increase his exercise. Razor and I now kill kibble twice a day. I throw a piece of kibble and he chases it and eats it. The caloric value of a dozen pieces of (small) kibble a day must be less than the calories burned chasing it, knocking it out of the air, digging it out from behind furniture.

Before he would chase it, however, I had to teach him what throwing was. I got him to eat it out of my hand, then I dropped one on the floor, then I tossed it farther and farther. He now anticipates like a retriever.

Besides the exercise I think the playing has made him less bored and happy to be killing things. (Hey, he’s a cat. They’re killers.) njs