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mrsh2010
To travel is to live.
Member since 7/09 1679 total posts
Name: Celia
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I am such a bad mommy
We brought Shamrock to the vet for some routine shots on Saturday. When they weighed him it showed he is 33 lbs. He is way over weight. I feel so bad. I know we have been overdoing it with the treats and table scraps. I didnt think it was that bad though.
Ok so a new leaf. We have gotten rid of all the processed/bag treats in the house and replace it with fresh string beans. We are no longer mixing dry and wet food, just going to give him wet food mixed with some cooked veggies ( carrots, string beans). We are going to try to play with him some more in the house since it has been so cold out for his walks. I ordered a pet scale to keep track of his weight.
What else can I do?
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Posted 1/27/14 2:08 PM |
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dctead
It's 5 o'clock somewhere!
Member since 11/10 2139 total posts
Name: Emily
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
You're not a bad Mommy! I find its always harder in the winter months to not give more treats and food... especially when I feel bad we can't go to the park or what not.
It always cracked me up when I'd watch Ceasar Milan put a dog on a treadmill... but we're seriously considering getting one for our two.. With it being so cold...or then wet and muddy at the dog park - they're climbing the walls!
When I had my older guy (and living in my mom's house) .. I'd play fetch with him by sitting at the top of the stairs (or bottom) and make him stair climb for exercise.
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Posted 1/27/14 3:23 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name: S
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I am such a bad mommy
I would try to have him get more exercise. It is hard in the colder months but it is so important. Also, dry food may be preferable to wet food since it is better for the dog's teeth. I never give my boy wet food because of this-
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Posted 1/27/14 4:01 PM |
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Sherwood
LIF Adult
Member since 8/08 1643 total posts
Name: s
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
We changed from regular to healthy weight dog food without making any other changes, and it seemed to make a difference He went from 42 to 35lbs in a few months.
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Posted 1/27/14 4:43 PM |
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mrsh2010
To travel is to live.
Member since 7/09 1679 total posts
Name: Celia
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
Posted by MrsG823
I would try to have him get more exercise. It is hard in the colder months but it is so important. Also, dry food may be preferable to wet food since it is better for the dog's teeth. I never give my boy wet food because of this-
He doesn't eat dry food normally but maybe if I mix it with the cooked veggies he will eat it.
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Posted 1/27/14 6:08 PM |
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mrsh2010
To travel is to live.
Member since 7/09 1679 total posts
Name: Celia
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
Posted by Sherwood
We changed from regular to healthy weight dog food without making any other changes, and it seemed to make a difference He went from 42 to 35lbs in a few months.
When I compared his Natural Balance LID food to the reduced calorie food his food has less calories.
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Posted 1/27/14 6:12 PM |
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mrsh2010
To travel is to live.
Member since 7/09 1679 total posts
Name: Celia
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
Thank you all for your replies. We are going give him some more exercise in the house until it get nicer out.
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Posted 1/27/14 6:14 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name: S
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I am such a bad mommy
You can try adding a bit of warm water or chicken broth to the dry food to make it a bit softer before adding the veggies.
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Posted 1/27/14 8:29 PM |
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mrsh2010
To travel is to live.
Member since 7/09 1679 total posts
Name: Celia
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
Posted by MrsG823
You can try adding a bit of warm water or chicken broth to the dry food to make it a bit softer before adding the veggies.
Thats a good idea! Thank you!
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Posted 1/28/14 8:19 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name: Phyllis
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
Posted by mrsh2010
Posted by MrsG823
You can try adding a bit of warm water or chicken broth to the dry food to make it a bit softer before adding the veggies.
Thats a good idea! Thank you!
This.
In the end, dry food is much better for them. Their poop is better and it helps keep their teeth clean with the crunching. Start with putting something on it so he'll eat it. Eventually, when he's hungry, he will eat.
We switched our dogs to Lite Food and their treats are mainly carrots and 2-3 small treats a day (I reward them for coming in when called from the yard) It made a world of difference and they are both at healthy weights now
Message edited 1/28/2014 3:39:37 PM.
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Posted 1/28/14 3:39 PM |
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pp1107
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/08 831 total posts
Name: P
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
Did the vet tell you how many calories a day your dog should have? My vet told me and I calculated the amount of calories she's allowed from the food I give her and measure it out. I also switched to weight management. My dog gets dry and I mix a half teaspoon of wet because she won't eat the dry plain. I know it's hard but it's possible. My dog lost the weight, although now that its cold I haven't been walking her that long and I know she's definitely gained some back:(
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Posted 1/28/14 5:43 PM |
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AKD
LIF Adult
Member since 1/12 2637 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
While it's cold, to give him exercise, what we do is we go to the basement, and we toss the ball. It's the squeeky tennis balls from Kong, they're his favorite. Even 10-15 minutes of throwing the ball back and forth (we use two balls, so throw one, he gets it brings it back and then throw second one) really helps him. We'll also do the same in the backyard after his walks and that helps him keep in shape.
There's this one treat bag that I get him, I think they're Fruitables? I forget the name, but they're basically made out of things like banana and pumpkin or blueberry and apple, and like 9 calories a treat. He loves them and I don't feel bad about him having it. All the other treats we give him are also all natural/grain free and I think that makes a difference.
For the record, I don't think you're a bad mommy at all
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Posted 1/31/14 10:23 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name: :)
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Re: I am such a bad mommy
As everyone else said, no table scraps, only dog food and the recommended amt and increase exercise. I am sure all those things will work combined and you are not a bad mommy!!!
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Posted 2/1/14 11:51 AM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4287 total posts
Name:
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I am such a bad mommy
We also cut our guys treats in half. So we treat him, but he gets HALF a cookie now. We also reduced his food by a smidge.
My guy went to the vet for shots. The doctor said she should be able to feel his ribs easily. At that point she had to work at it. So we cut his treats down and cut his food a smidge. Never ever do we give him people food except when I am cooking. I will give him a taste of a mushroom or a small tiny piece of a red pepper or something like that.
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Posted 2/3/14 2:46 PM |
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