Victoria from Michigan writes in with "We possess the impossible: an overweight border collie. She's 5. Our other is 2 and perfect weight. How do I take lbs off her but not him?"
Thanks Victoria for your query, we all want our dogs to be in the best possible condition so that they lead healthy and comfortable lives, the one thing we all do not need is for ongoing health issues to set in before their time....
Here are a list of likely causes for an Obese Dog:- Age
- Lack of exercise
- Too many treats
- Too much food at dinner time
- Allowed to graze all day long
- Health problems
- De-sexing
Here is a list of potential health problems that your dog may develop when it is obese.
- Diabetes
- Breathing problems
- Heat issues
- Joint problems
Some dogs, like people have a fast or slow metabolism. This means that a dog with a slow metabolism may eat a small amount of food and will put on weight. Dogs with a fast metabolism may eat lots of food yet struggle to put on weight.
Step 1: Check how plump your dog is.
Firstly You may need to feel each dog and determine how plump they may feel.
We have a Border Collie that has this thick curly coat and she looks overweight yet when one feels her body she is in fact quite slim. So be aware that the coat may cause one to think that one's dog is plump when it is not.
You should be able to feel their ribs without an excess amount fat on this area.
We check our Border Collies often so we can work out how much they should be fed.
Your dog should have a waistline and it's belly should be tucked up. If you have problems working out if your dogs is overweight please consult with your vet and get them to show you how to gauge their condition, also check the recommended weight for your breed of dog.
Step 2: Portion Control
Once you have confirmed that your dog may need to cut back on its daily food intake, you then cut back on the amount of food that you have been giving your dog.
Older dogs only need to be fed once a day.
If you want to feed your dogs tidbits and extras, factor that into the quantity of your dogs daily food allowance.
One of the main things is to feed both dogs separately with individual dishes and to take away their dishes about five minutes after they have been feed.
If the dogs are left unattended at feed times a dominate dog may force the other dog away from their food and eat their food as well thus putting on extra weight.
Because you have two dogs, at different ages, the older dog may require a different diet than the younger dog. There are now available, from dog food manufacturers, a diet for older mature dogs which, has less protein and fat in the diet.
Step 3: Exercising you Dog for Weight Control
To help your dog trim up, you'll need to exercise your dogs daily. This will depend on your households routine, 10 minutes a day is a good start.
Going for walks is good or if your dog loves to fetch the ball them you can throw the ball for them.
If your dog is overweight before going on a exercise routine please consult with your vet on the best routine and diet for your dog.
These are just a few suggestions,be creative, your dog will love the mental stimulation.
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