Erm, I think I need a bit of advice... also in NL

[martlin]

I seem to have acquired (don't even ask - I'm a sucker for a creature in need) 2 dogs - both collies, a bitch and a dog.
They are in a bit of a state and I really need to sort them out:
1. Penny, the bitch (obviously, it's a girly name) is 10 years old and very FAT, she also has arthritis in one of her hinds, thus struggles a bit for running.

2. Chas - the lad is 12 years old and deaf (not completely) and also very fat, but in much better nick really, he is lively and runs about.

If you could give me a bit of suggestion what to feed to shift the weight swiftly and safely - I presume some sort of senior/diet feed?
What joint supplements would you recommend for Penny? Is cortaflex any good?

I've noticed that they both literally gorge on grass, which means lack of something? What would that be?

I do sound like a numpty, but I'm not a beginner when it comes to dog care, just never had anything in such a state.

Any suggestions, comments etc welcome and appreciated

 

[Spudlet]

I had another reply all typed put in NL, then I lost it

Have a look here http://www.skinnerspetfoods.co.uk/home/ for Skinners stockists, much better than Bakers which is just like feeding them on Haribo An egg cracked over their tea once a week can help with coat condition.

As they are oldies, I would really get them seen by the vets, just to make sure they don't have any underlying health problems - eg diabetes as they are both porky

 

[CorvusCorax]

I see you've got advice on joint supplements in NL and I've never had to use them so I can't help anyway
I will suggest light exercise little and often if possible, and structured, short, brisk on lead walks etc and if there is somewhere you can swim them, that is good exercise for joint issues - we use a horse pool, if you have access to one?

I'd check out a low protein meal, mine are both on a meal with 19% protein, will they take a bone as replacement for a meal, etc? They won't starve, so don't feel bad about being skimpy with rations - they'll live longer if they're carrying less weight and although it won't seem that way when they look at you with those big brown eyes, they'll thank you for it
ETA - that looks really dumb saying low protein food and then suggesting raw, but that's what I find works best on balance for any fatties we have had!!!

Well done for taking them on.

Grass is a stomach acid thing, I think? Mine do it in the morning if they haven't been fed yet before a walk and then hock it back up again.

 

[martlin]

Thankies,
don't have a horse pool (makes a note to buy one ), but I think I could manage to take them for a swim somewhere - or dig a pond maybe? (only joking)
No idea what they will or won't eat, fed them a handful of Bakers Complete tonight - they arrived 5 hours ago and I have never seen them before that so know pretty much nothing about them.
Having had a good look at them, I have already got a suspicion that Penny might be diabetic - she is drinking loads as well. Chas is just fat, so that should be much easier - he is very lively and keen to run

 

[CorvusCorax]

Sorry to be a pain in the jacksie but I would not be feeding them Bakers - it's full of additives and sugar (like Smarties, for dogs ) and won't help a diabetic dog - I'd pop her to the vets to be on the safe side, but bear in mind it was a hot/muggy weekend and she is carrying too much weight.

There are a couple of users on here who have dogs on diets so they might be able to recommend a good food.

 

[martlin]

Sorry to be a pain in the jacksie but I would not be feeding them Bakers - it's full of additives and sugar (like Smarties, for dogs ) and won't help a diabetic dog - I'd pop her to the vets to be on the safe side, but bear in mind it was a hot/muggy weekend and she is carrying too much weight.

There are a couple of users on here who have dogs on diets so they might be able to recommend a good food.

It's ok you're not a pain - I wasn't going to keep them on Bakers. It was Sunday evening and the only thing I have, so popped a few nuggets (literally) into each bowl, just to let them know that they will be fed at their new home. Penny hasn't touched hers anyway and Chas was just playing with his. Apparently, they have had their supper before coming to me...
My vet will have a once over them sometime next week probably

 

[Bedlam]

What do you feed your other dogs? You obviously have others or wouldn't have had Bakers Complete?

I think I'd take the opportunity to look into the possibility of feeding everyone a BARF type diet to see how they get on?

 

[martlin]

My other dogs:
10 year old ColliexAlsatian who is a guard dog and will eat anything
3 yo Border Collie sheep dog
1 yo JRT

The sheepdog is very fussy and has to switch quite often, so every other one eats what she's having At the moment it's Bakers Complete, had Omega, Royal Canin, Hills and no name working dog from feed merchant in the past.
I might sound daft, but what is BARF?