One third of dogs obese

keeperscottage said:
I have five dogs - springers x 3, Large Munsterlander and Golden Retriever and I have an obese dog - one of the springy springers. Molly is five years old, very active, and is fed less than the other dogs - in fact I am ashamed of her! A friend came round last week and said "I've just seem a dog which looks just like Molly only five times the size!". "Where?" I asked, expecting her to say she'd just seen a giant black and white Springer whilst out riding......."There!" she said, pointing to Molly who was rushing around us! I put my hands up and, yes, she is very overweight, literally about twice the size of Ruby, my skinny Springer. I want to have her spayed but am delaying surgery until I can get her weight down, but how do I get it down when she is fed far less than any of my other dogs? I never feed her titbits, she is fed raw plus a small amount of Chudley Sensitive; I am at a loss as to how to reduce her weight. She's full of energy, "plugged into the mains" in fact! But still she's HUGE! And, no, she doesn't have any thyroid symptoms, before you ask! I want a sylph-like dog! How do I attain my goal?? Not all owners of fatties are ignorant and uncaring!
Click to expand...

Agreed, look to my earlier post :) our Goldie got that way through us not realising and her health problems. Try hydrotherapy - I swear by it, honest to God, the amount of dogs I've seen dropping weight due to swimming! Start off with 2 sessions a week till she starts losing then you can drop it down to one a week then one a fortnight :)
K x
 
KellysHeros - How can you find a local hydro place? I'm desperate the get 2 more kg off Jack and can't seem to get it off (can't feed any less/can't walk him any more). He's terrified of water but who knows it might help!
 
Search it on Google or ask your vet (or post on HHO!) :) the only reason there is one near us is because the people who opened it had to make a 75 mile round trip once a week with their Peke after an accident - I'm in disbelief that there's so few centres! :(
Your vet will know where the nearest centre is but the sessions are absolutely invaluable!!!

ETA - they get used to it, I have worked there a good few times and that's one thing they will work on getting dogs to accept the water - I am hoping to take my hydrophobicICan'tPossiblyGetMyToesWet GSD for a session one day!! :)
 
Last edited:
Thank you both!

I hate knowingly owning a fat dog :o It's the looks we get every so often while we're out....I almost want to turn around and tell people they're welcome to try if they think they can do better. I want to aim for him to be slightly on the slim side, so he can have the odd extra when we're on PAT visits (I take some of his dinner in my pocket but sometimes you just can't talk a patient out of feeding him something they've got).
 
Annette4 said:
Thank you both!

I hate knowingly owning a fat dog :o It's the looks we get every so often while we're out....I almost want to turn around and tell people they're welcome to try if they think they can do better. I want to aim for him to be slightly on the slim side, so he can have the odd extra when we're on PAT visits (I take some of his dinner in my pocket but sometimes you just can't talk a patient out of feeding him something they've got).
Click to expand...

Applause to you and canine for your work!!! So many people benefit from PAT, I think its absolutely fantastic!
And CC, good idea, I never thought of that! There isn't any horse pools round my way :( but there may well be one near you Annette :)
 
Annette, we were recommended this one today:

Pool Hall Hydro
Canine Fitness Centre
Pool Hall Farm, Alveley
BRIDGNORTH
Shropshire
01299 861590

Large (12ft) heated and filtered pool with twin adjustable jets. Hoist for injured or larger dogs traveling to all areas of the centre. Shower, hot tub for relaxation after a swim and for injured or arthritic dogs. Drying area with heated blast dryer.
Offering swim, hot tub, shampoo, dry or any combination requested. Free introductory swim session provided a full course is booked. All dogs fully insured. Several vets refer dogs here. Experienced with injuries and post operative swimming.
Click to expand...


Not sure how far that is for you? Just waiting to hear back from the insurers as to whether we can get a referral there, I'll let you know what it's like. Like the sound of the hot tub! :D
 
It's a little bit far BC but only if it's mum that's driving so may well be an idea for when I'm driving again. Got mum to agree to take us though :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top