Overweight??

[MauiGirls]

I'm beginning to think Meika could be getting a little chubby. It is so hard to tell because of all the fur and her Maltese-ish shape, I don't exactly know how to judge. My Yorkie Tiki is so thin, and Meika (3/4 Yorkie) is very stocky.

When Meika was spayed at 1 yr. in June, the vet said her weight was fine, but I'm thinking she's still growing. She goes in for her annual check up at the end of Oct., so the vet will weigh her and tell me then.

I'm just thinking out loud, trying to come out of denial, and wondering how I'll do weight management for Meika and still feed all 5 dogs what they need. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

[JesBred]

When I thought Mitzy was overweight I added Wellness Weight Management to her food. It did help slim her down but she looks the same to me. I still feed it to her just to help keep her trim but I only put a little in there maybe 1/4 of her food is WWM. Mitzy looks "fluffy" to me, but she is :D She has thick hair so she looks bigger than she is. When she gets a bath thats when I realize how healthy she is. If you can feel her ribs she is probably fine. But not ribs sticking out, just a layer of fat over them.

[MauiGirls]

Thanks for the input Jess. I just want to keep them all healthy. I think Meika is probably like your Mitzy in body shape. I just don't want to let her get too heavy under the disguise of fluffy hair. It is also hard on her being judged next to a thin Yorkie, and the 2 new Morkies are also leaning toward Tiki's slim shape.

Tiki and Meika were both spayed in June, same month I got the 2 new pups (on puppy food), and everybody gained a bit I think. I've heard that after spay you need to cut back food by 1/3 to avoid obesity, but I didn't. Tiki looks much better with the extra pound though still very thin, the vet likes her that way. I can feel Meika's ribs, she is just really solid. Probably fine, and the fur definitely makes her look bigger.

I'll look for WWM though, and I think my old Schnauzer Niko could use it too after fluffing up sharing puppy food. I finally switched them to an all age Natural Balance kibble, which should be ok for the 5 month old pups too.

[Morkie4]

I really like the Wellness Weight Management and all four of mine lost weight on it.............so I decided to switch it up after they hit their ideal weight and that was a "HUGE" mistake on my part. Within a few short weeks of being on a high protein diet by Evo, they all gained weight. So back to the Wellness and the NB. I know how you feel about not wanting them to be overweight. It is really hard on their legs and heart when they are overweight. Since changing to the WWM, Kallie has already lost a pound. I guess I will have to eliminate the Evo Red Meat and go back to the NB.

[MauiGirls]

Thanks Carol, I'm going to get some WWM and see if I can get Meika and Niko to eat it. The lil pups still need puppy food, and Tiki has her special diet needs for liver issues, but I'm afraid Meika will get heavier. It gets complicated when they go and eat out of each others dishes, but I do have to try at least.

[Morkie4]

Thanks Carol, I'm going to get some WWM and see if I can get Meika and Niko to eat it. The lil pups still need puppy food, and Tiki has her special diet needs for liver issues, but I'm afraid Meika will get heavier. It gets complicated when they go and eat out of each others dishes, but I do have to try at least.

The key is to keep them out of each others' dishes!! I have separate feeding station areas for each fluff. I know it may be a bit harder for you to do that but once you teach them they aren't permitted to eat out of another fluff's bowl........they stop trying. Of course puppies are a bit harder to control and teach that to because they are always hungry whether they are or not! LOL

Mine will not touch the bowl of another unless to check it out but even if there is food in it, they walk away. I had to stand there and watch them for about two weeks making sure that any attempt to go near each others' bowls was blocked or corrected.........patience, persistance and consistency paid off.

I just had to keep them out of each other's bowls because they get different amounts of food and supplements.

[MauiGirls]

I couldn't get Wellness Weight Management at the Pet Shop yesterday, so instead I got Natural Balance Reduced Calorie Ultra. Much to my surprise all the dogs loved it and I swear ate more than their usual amount. It wasn't really my intent to have everybody on it, and they were all excitedly sharing as if it was candy.

Now I have to concentrate on measuring and getting each to eat ONLY from their own bowl. It has 18% fewer calories, but must have some pretty tasty stuff cause they really like it.

[Morkie4]

Here is some great information to use to determine if you fluff is really overweight........I haven't checked out the product Blue Buffalo Longevity but plan on doing it soon!

http://bluebuff.com/health/obesity-epidemic-avoiding-the-spread.shtml?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=october09

[mom2boo]

Boo & Hannah eat the NB reduced calorie,they love it. I was worried about them getting chubby & Boo doesn't tolerate high fat food well, so they've been eating it for 2 yrs. & staying pretty much stable with their weight.They're both older than your babies though & probably not as active.