Losing weight, low carb kibble?

meggels · Oct 2, 2011

Hey guys,

So my mom and soon to be step dad have their two dogs. Our family boxer Cooper, and his cavalier Mia. Cooper used to be a fit, active dog.

Since they've moved in together, Cooper has slowly, but surely, gained weight. Mia has always been pretty hefty. I know that the dogs are definitely not active enough, especially not Cooper. Coopy used to go on hikes all the time and got lots of exercise, but now, I think his main exercise is whatever he does in the back yard.

They are both fed TOTW Pacific Stream, and I told my mom I think she should consider a different food, possibly with less carbs, to see if that helps them drop weight. Cooper is probably 70lbs or so, and he gets 2 cups a day. Mia is probably 22lbs or so, and gets only half a cup a day (seems like very little and she still can't drop weight????)

I'd love to see them do premade raw (I don't think that step dad would ever do PMR style) because at least then if they got something like Vital Essentails which is 99% meat, bone, organ, they could probably drop the weight easily (as Murph does when he's been on raw. When he did take breaks and go back on kibble, I noticed he beefed up pretty quickly).

I think my mom gets a little defensive when I talk about it. But it's hard for me because Cooper, for the first 3.5 years of his life, was very much MY dog (as well as the families) and he was a beautiful, lean, active boxer. He just turned 5 and I feel like he lives the life of an old man! They need to at least get him way slimmed down. They thought he was too thin a few months ago because he had his little hip bones sticking out a tad...ugh.

Any suggestions on a kibble that would be better maybe? I know Orijen obv has the lowest carbs of all. Evo? I was also thinking maybe Nature's Variety Instinct...

Any idea on what would pack on the pounds more? Ie: peas vs taters vs tapioca? If one of them might be better for the waist line, I am at least knowledgeable enough on the brands to know what brands might be a better option...

Donna Little · Oct 2, 2011

I don't know much about different kibbles but probably their best bet would be a premade raw for the weight loss if you can talk them into it. I have small dogs and I know what you mean about seeing what should be a fit trim YOUNG dog, unable to run and play like they should due to their weight. Several of mine came to me already fat and I could NOT get weight off of them. And they acted like they were starving all the time. They now eat raw and all my chubbies are starting to slowly lose! YAY!
A half a cup per day does seem like such a small amount too for a dog that's 22 lbs. If she's still not losing then it sounds like she definitely needs to be eating something different. Wonder if you could tell your mom how much more satisfied the dogs would be by getting premade raw because they'd certainly be able to eat more, feel full, have better nutrition AND get down to a healthy weight all at the same time. Think she'd go for it then?

Unosmom · Oct 2, 2011

Well, they're not going to lose any weight unless your parents commit to actual exercise besides running around the yard. I had good results with wellness core reduced fat, but I wouldnt feet it long term due to low fat levels, just long enough to get over the hump. But they can get the same result with any other grain free food that has moderate protein levels (30-35%).
Whats their ideal weight? Also big thing, are they getting any treats or people food? often pet owners dont realize how many calories are in those treats, especially the low end kind with corn syrup and sugar. For a small dog, one biscuit could make up 1/2 the calories needed, so definitely talk to them about treating, especially the kind of treats they're giving. I like freeze dried treats like lungs and various other organs, evo also makes grain free high protein treats.

DaViking · Oct 2, 2011

@ meggels, I agree with Unosmom, activities is always key to a lean, fit and happy dog. For kibble maybe they could try Fromm's Reduced Activity from their Gold series. Fromm's Gold series is and has been for a while one of the best dry foods around. High quality ingredients from a trusted company. It is not completely grain free tho.

magicre · Oct 2, 2011

meggels, when we fed kibble...i think it was wellness....my pug who weighs about 20-22 pounds....only got 1/3 of a cup....maybe she's being overfed...

cprcheetah · Oct 2, 2011

When Shellie (70#) was on kibble if she ate more than about 1 & 1/4 cup to 1 & 1/2 cup she couldn't maintain a normal weight. Seriously I was only feeding her a little more than a cup a day or else she would gain weight. They may want to have the boxers thyroid checked if he's really packed on the pounds all the sudden. Boxers are really prone to low thyroid and that can cause weight gain.

MollyWoppy · Oct 2, 2011

I agree with all you guys. Unless there is a health problem, the calorie output has to be more than the calorie input to lose weight.
Unosmom is so right too, treats are a huge source of extra calories that are so easy to overlook.
I feel sorry for you as its so hard to help the dog when people have no idea what a healthy dog should really look like. And, if they aren't prepared to exercise them you've already lost most of the battle, all you can do is try to convince them to cut back on the food or, like you said, change the food.
Is there any way you could have a word with their vet before the dogs next visit and ask him to put the fear of the 'fat' God in them?

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