Weird Question - Pet Nutrition?

[binley100]

My parents dally had a weight problem after having a phantom and subsequent surgery (and she was a pig in disguise) and the only way we got her to lose weight was by substituting some of her food with chopped up raw cabbage (the sort they used to call dutch white) . Worked a treat cos is would fill her up without piling on the calories. My last Dally (who we rehomed) had a thyroid problem he not only put weight on but was lazy and had bald armpits. Once on the thyroxine he lost weight and became a typical energetic dally and his coat improved tremendously.

[Sheneval]

I give my pet rat quite a big meal every day

[Feral007]

I'd agree with Bins. We have a celebrity vet out here and he was always on about those terribly overchubby dogs.

His view was that they should have a little raw meat, maybe a few biscuits, but most of their food should be bulked out with grated carrots, and I daresay cabbage would be good too.

Our dogs will pinch apples off the trees and tomatoes, so they do eat veg if they have the opportunity.

If the dog is a bit intolerant to foods, you'd want to change it slowly from what it has now. Only introduce one new thing (eg grated carrot first) in small amounts, and if that works, then reduce the other food a little and then introduce a small amount of another vegetable or meat mixed in, and so on. That way if something disagrees you know what it was and can substitute something else.

Just tell the PA's to get a peg for their nose! What the Vegetarian dog can do with a tomato does not bear thinking about. Noxious gasses galore!

Here's some sites of interest: What should I feed my dog? - RSPCA Australia knowledgebase

and

BARF Diet Specifics - Bones, Meat, Offal, Vegetables, Fruits & Other Nutrition Food Products for Pet

and

Homemade Dog Food - 5 Tips For Making Homemade Dog Food | Know Better Pet Food

PS - your vet should be in trouble for not giving nutritional advice, and to not give advice on how to manage the dogs weight is actually neglecting a duty of care. They shouldn't be allowed to have products in their waiting rooms, conflict of interest much?

[VirginVegGrower]

I feed Happy Dog - a human grade complete food for dogs based on grain free 80/20 - they are very good at listing ingredients and nutritional data - the new Which report - TV programme appearing in Jan is somewhat enlightening.
There are many good foods out there now - I won't list them all here but if you want to know my favourites - DM


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[Plot10]

Dogs can have thyroid problems as well, it's something GSDs are prone to apparently so I keep an eye on Pads, and don't give her those so-called 'dental strips' because they're processed with fluoride which can trigger thyroid problems.

I didn't know that, luckily I rarely give these sticks to my GSD as she prefers the rawhide strips. She's on permanent low-dose steroids for a skin condition so we need to watch her weight anyway.

[Scarlet]

Just wondering how much exercise the dog gets? As my dog has aged his off the lead walks have had to be reduced and his weight has increased. Often people think a quick walk around the block on a lead is enough.

I like to see a dog eat its food with relish, if you have to coax it to eat anything its not hungry enough.

I agree, my collie has never really been that bothered with food and has always been on the skinny side but he has always had very long walks daily.
He has fresh meat or fish cheaply when it's on it's sell by date at the supermarkets and freeze. I use a small handful of dry food to top up if I haven't got enough meat.
His food gets put down morning and late afternoon and taken up and binned if it's still there after an hour. He has no 'little extras' or treats.
Although 3 years ago he had the 'snip' for health reasons (he's 13) and he slowed down considerably and has put on weight, fortunately he's still in the correct weight band for his breed ( just on the higher end!) His food intake hasn't changed but he can no longer take his long walks off the lead. He's an old man and plods right next to me!

[julesapple]

This is the 'fatty' in question. So you see why I have a problem even seeing a slight chubbiness here? He's about 20 months old, exercised regularly twice a day, lots of ball throwing & fetching in the garden in between. I personally think they should change their vet or at least get his eyes tested! My Ma is more concerned that the dawg doesn't tolerate processed pet foods and has little interest in foods. This morning's breakfast was minced fresh meat scraps mixed with some of his normal food, eventually it will be all fresh meat. They have a village butcher who sells scraps & marrowbones very reasonably.

[Scarlet]

Lovely!!
He doesn't look fat but usually there is a chart for each breed with the weight guides. He should be on the lower end of it if he is young. How heavy is he?

I wouldn't be worried that he isn't interested in food. Most people feed dogs and theirselves much more than they need. What ever you feed, take it away after a reasonable time on the floor and wait until next feed and do the same again. No coaxing!

[SarzWix]

That doesn't look like an overweight dog to me!

My friend has just started feeding her dog stuff from Natural and raw food for dogs and cats | Natures Menu Might be worth a look?

[julesapple]

I've seen that stuff at DD's work. Ma saw it too but I wonder if she remembered to look on the web site as she had planned to do - I'll phone her and remind her.

But no, The Benj is not fat - far from it, methinks.

[Fleurisa]

Pets At Home have some weight loss stuff for dogs

[Two_Sheds]

I would presume that excess carbs are as bad for dogs as they are for people......?

I asked my vet if he approved of me giving raw chicken wings as treats. He was very clear on this: dogs aren't designed to eat carbs at all: their teeth make them carnivores (and I'm speaking as a lifelong vegetarian).
Dogs can eat vegetables, they will eat biscuit ... they'll also eat lightbulbs, shoes & Tamp*x if you let them.

Tinkle has been on raw meat (the Natural Prey diet) for over a year now. Her teeth have lost all their tartar, her coat is shiny, her poops are small, firm & unsmelly rather than large, stinky & sloppy, and her breath & farts have been vastly improved. She's also got her figure back: no matter how small an amount of kibble I gave her, she kept piling on the pounds.

It's no trouble at all: I buy a kilo of "pet food" (mostly offal & fatty bits) and cut it into portions which go in the freezer. I defrost one per night, ready for the next morning.

Plus she gets raw meaty bones from the butcher (free) for chewing on, which she loves more than any of her toys.

She also gets raw chicken wings, raw mince if it's on offer, and sometimes I'll joint a raw chicken and freeze that into portions. She's always supervised when she has bones, and never ever give them cooked bones (they splinter & can cause nasty internal injuries).


The cost is about 30p a day for a toy dog.

[Two_Sheds]

He reacts badly to a lot of pet food.

That's why I started feeding mine raw chicken wings. She'd been on Arden Grange, which made her sick it up. Then she had Burns, Happy Dog and other stuff, but eventually she sicked them all up.

She's now intolerant to turkey, pork, eggs, milk and beef (sicks them up), but she's fine with chicken, and small amounts of cheese, which she 'dances' for.
She has no treats, ever ... apart from making her sick, they pile the pounds on

Most people feed dogs and theirselves much more than they need.

[rustylady]

That dog is NOT FAT!!!

[Glutton4...]

Having seen that picture, Jules - I would tell your Folks to change Vet!!