Overweight yorkie

[tannerbimbo]

Help! My 4 year old yorkie is putting on pounds. We measure out his daily quota according to the recommended amount for the weight he SHOULD be and divide it into two or three small meals daily. His feed is grain free.

Our biggest problem is that he does not seem to like going for walks, or chasing a ball etc. He does like to curl up somewhere warm and sleep or sit in a sunny window and watch the world go by. we have spent a fortune on all kinds of dog toys and are constantly on the floor with him trying to instigate a 'game' He Has been checked by our vet and they can find no health reason for his lack of energy. He is not a 'teacup' yorkie but normal height. ie 12/13 inches high. we had a kingcharles spaniel and a collie before so not new to dogs needs. He is a super little friend and we know that he must lose some weight if he is to maintain good health. What we don't know is how.

tannerbimbo

 

[gypsysmum2]

sI am sure your vet has been through all the dietary advice but it bears repeating. Too many calories in and the dog will gain weight.

I adopted a small dog from an elderly lady. He was hugely over weight. He ruptured both cruciate ligaments just by jumping on the sofa at his previous home.

We put him on a strict diet and insisted (nicely) that he take more exercise. As the weight came off his energy levels rose. He started playing and then started to really enjoy his walks. We always had to watch his calorie intake but he lived a long and active life from then on.

I would drop down to two meals per day without increasing the amount of each meal. You can always increase them slightly when the weight is off. Keep treats down to an absolute minimum and use healthy ones only. Some of the chews can be high in calories.

A little story from my days as a vet nurse -

The owner of an overweight dog is told that the dog needs to lose weight. "He hardly eats anything" says the owner. "What does he have?" asks the vet. " A small breakfast and a small dinner" is the reply. The vet waits and there is a pregnant pause. "Oh and a piece of toast at breakfast time". The vet waits and says nothing. "Oh, and a digestive biscuit when we have elevensies" comes another reply. Still no comment from the vet. "Oh and he gets a Bonio biscuit when we get back from his walk". Further pause. "Then he has a few dog biscuits at bedtime".

 

[excuseme]

I love the above last paragraph Ha ha

We ourselves are in total control of our dogs food intake (or should be).

If we put too much food in, our pets will possibly have very loose poo's or put on too much weight.

If you have had previous dogs you must have realised that the recommended daily requirement does not suite every dog and further adjustments must be made!

You may have to be firm with yourselves when feeding and giving treats.

 

[tannerbimbo]

Thank you to gypsysmum2 and to excuseme for replying and for the advice. I have taken my little chubbster to the vets today. He has had a blood test to check for any hidden problems and I have asked that he be put on a STRICT diet with specialist food. I am hoping that if he can shed some weight then he may get some renewed energy. Treats have always been minimal and reserved for when he comes back from a walk. We work on the praise for good behaviour principle. He adores people but is very wary of large dogs having been savagely attacked twice in the last year. (a German shepherd and a Doberman) both times needing treatment from the vet. Many thanks guys.

 

[tannerbimbo]

Re my overweight Yorkie, since I (and not hubby), have taken over his feeding regime he has lost 1 kilo and is now the correct weight for his size according to our vet. Many thanks for advice. So.... may I ask advice under the behaviour heading please?

 

[gypsysmum2]

Woo hoo! Well done you!

Has he more energy now?

 

[excuseme]

Well done, it's always nice to get positive feedback. :thumbsup:

 

[JoanneF]

By the behaviour, do you mean not liking walks?

 

[tannerbimbo]

hi, my little x-chubster yorkie still is not too keen to go for a walk, Weird hah? he is fine once out ( a slow plod is all we get until he is on the home run and then we cant keep up) but will hide away if he can. He is walked twice a day (whether he likes it or not) and has been since a puppy, If the weather is warm he prefers to sit in the garden on the bench (once we have put a cushion on it) or if it is cold he likes the warmth indoors on the window seat. He is played with daily (if we can get him off the sofa) and his particular game is hide and seek. No we don't hide, he hides his biscuit or toy and then stands in front of us and sqeakes till we go and find it and then he hides it again and so on and on and on...... Clever mutt, I have no idea how this game came about but he has trained us brilliantly! He really only exhibits life and energy and excitement when any or all of our ten grandchildren visit and has a 'special' relationship with two of our grandsons who have aspergers. Over all his energy levels remain low in spite of the weight loss, He will not play 'fetch' or chase regardless of toy type even though we have a large garden. He will alert us to any unfamiliar noise, long and loud until reassured there's no problem. All in all he is a very peculiar mutt but he is dearly loved and lovely company, I really do appreciate all advice and comments, You are a really friendly group of humans. Thankyou

 

[JoanneF]

He may have got out of the habit of enjoying walks. If he perks up with the grandchildren, are they close to you so they could help with walking, at least until he is more into the habit? Or are there any other local kids you could enlist/bribe? Just a thought, hopefully someone will have better ideas ...

 

[gypsysmum2]

A vet check for any signs of pain would be my first port of call. Then, as above, some fun injected into his walks might make him enjoy them more?

We adopted an overweight dog once and he hated his walks until his weight came down to normal. We couldn't stop him after that! Tough love but it worked !