Fat puppy

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Patterdale

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I’ve got a 4 week old puppy who is enormously obese (I think).
He is the only one of the litter that survived after a failed mismate jab. So he has all the milk to himself, and no one to play with.

We do have other dogs including a 6 month old puppy who I’m sure would play with him, but his mother is very defensive.

Is it a real concern? What can I do!?
 
Patterdale said:
Yes but how do you tell him that!? I’m taking the bitch out to work so she’s away from him more and will hopefully dry up a bit. She’s happy to work btw but the rest of the time he just feeds.

I think I will speak to the vet.
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Well yes, that was what I meant, the bitch should be unavailable to him.

Your real problem is that he has no company when she is away, so that is probably the cause of his constant feeding when she is there - it's comfort eating as he is really too young to be left on his own. I would be wary of leaving him with an older pup though, unless they are closely supervised. Are you supplementing his feed yet?
 
Yes he’s having puppy food.
I feel so sorry for him on his own, we play with him lots but he needs doggy company. We have lots of dogs but his mother won’t let them near .
It’s such a difficult situatjon
 
Patterdale said:
Yes he’s having puppy food.
I feel so sorry for him on his own, we play with him lots but he needs doggy company. We have lots of dogs but his mother won’t let them near .
It’s such a difficult situatjon
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Can you take mum out and let him have some different, very closely supervised, company, or do you think it would upset mum too much when she smells them on him when she returns?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Can you take mum out and let him have some different, very closely supervised, company, or do you think it would upset mum too much when she smells them on him when she returns?
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I could if I were omnipresent lol. Thanks though :)

I could shut her in the back of the truck whilst letting the others play with him but that would stress her. I think I'll just have to hope that as he gets bigger and more active he'll burn it off, and she'll let him go off and play more :(
 
A friend’s bitch had just one pup from an AI mating and he was a very fat puppy and seemed ginormous. But now at nearly 3 years old he’s within breed standards for weight/height. I’d have a word with your vet if worried but I’m sure he’ll be normal size when mature.
 
Patterdale said:
I could if I were omnipresent lol. Thanks though :)

I could shut her in the back of the truck whilst letting the others play with him but that would stress her. I think I'll just have to hope that as he gets bigger and more active he'll burn it off, and she'll let him go off and play more :(
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I didn't know that you are on your own with them, that complicates your issues.
 
I would not worry about it at this age if well and reasonably mobile- he will normalise as he grows.
 
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