Hi, hoping you can help. I have a two year old cocker springer cross. She was spayed last year and, on a recent visit to the vet for her un-waggy tail!! she weighs 16.98kg. Vet recommends she should be 15kg max. We've always fed her Gusto as thats what the breeder fed the pups. Vet suggested Chappie(??) gave her a tiny bit on Friday night with her Gusto all seemed well, little bit on Saturday, runny poo. I expected a bit of a change in her bowel activity for a coupl of days. Sunday, poor Sophie's very runny, with a bit of blood. Otherwise she's quite her usual self, mad.
My question is,should I stick to a dry food?Is it possibly the fact that she's never had wet food? what can I feed her to help her lose weight that doesn't cost an arm and a leg but is a good quality food? Any suggestions appreciated. As of last night I thought I'd give her 24 hrs food free to give her stomach a chance to settle but I need to decide what to give her.

Ann

Why can't you just cut down the food a little and add veg to bulk it out?
I'd be amazed if the chappie had this affect.
I'd be more inclined to think that she picked something up either at the vets or out on a walk

You could try the chappie dry food? As already said, I would be surprised if the chappie caused the tummy problems as it is recommended for dogs with sensitive tummies. xxx

The vet did give her metacam for her un-waggy tail but she's had that medication before with no ill effects. I'm only trying the chappie because I've cut down the Gusto to one small handful twice a day and I daren't go any less. She has a slice of carrot for treats and she's excercised with a ball thrower 'cos she loves that and when we're at our caravan she swims every day. Is 16.98 kgs really heavy? I can't find an accurate idea of what she should weigh (other than the vet) because she's bigger than a cocker but not as muscly/broad as a springer.

Oh, I didn't realise Chappie came in dry as well as wet. Might try that then. I didn't think it was the chappie either, was more inclined towards the metacam but hubby wants to stop the chappie altogether.
Ann

Difficult to say without seeing and feeling her. Different dogs of the same size could be fine and have very different weights.
Vets will nearly always tell you to get weight off, even if theyu are only slightly over.
Got any pictures?

This was taken last Thursday after her summer haircut!!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=1&theater

Attached Images

SOPHIE.bmp (1.12 MB, 4 views)

Well she's not fat is she?

I'd me more concerned about the Metacam if she started that on Friday to, deffinately dont give it if she has'nt had any food.

I dont think she looks fat we see two vets for different things & they both have different opinions about our dog's weight

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All my children have paws!

Thank you! I don't think she's fat either. She doesn't swim in the winter 'cos we're not at the caravan but she'll be swimming again this weekend and she's full of beans and burns off alot of energy running after the ball and, when she's home, running us all ragged stealing things and running away with them!! I will however try incorporating vegetables in her diet.

Ann