I have let myself in for yet more work! (once the puppies are all away)

My friend's grandad (owner of very fat lab) died last year, and his mum has taken on the dog.
The lab is 10 years old, and I do not know the exact weight, but she is VERY fat. My friends mum is having difficulty getting her to lose weight, my friend is worried the dog will become ill due to her weight, so I have offered to take her for a few weeks to give her a hand, as we will be out in the country with loads of fields and beaches to exercise.

I know the vet will be the best to advise me how much I should be feeding her and what sort of exercise regime to put her on, but of course, any handy tips will be welcome!

x

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Not saying this is all cases but many labs seem to develope 'middle age spread' as it has been living with an older person maybe it has been getting too many titbits and two little exercise.

As the dog is older it is going to need less food values than a younger dog Maybe it would be an idea to gradually put the dog onto one of the 'lite' foods of which there are many to chose from, and don't know if you are but obviously no treats.

As you say your vet I am sure would advise in reducing the excess weight that the dog is carrying.

What will you be feeding?
If you have a few pennies spare, hydrotherapy is a safe type of exercise for an old over weight dog.
Don't over do it, build up gradually. I think with an old dog it will take quite a while

Labs are prone to weight, but I'm convinced that this is in part, because they will eat and eat and eat and owners inadvertently overfeed. They are also terrible scavengers, so watch for anything they find to eat while out.

I also think that some of the food manufacturers over estimate the amount of food that they require. With the exception of Burns, all the various makes I have fed have had to be cut by one third to get the right amount, otherwise my dogs would have put on weight.

With an elderly dog like this (particularly one that is not used to exercise and is grossly overweight), you will need to be very careful with overdoing exercise. He may not be able to go far anyway and it is likely to put strain on joints and heart which are already under a lot of pressure due to his weight and age.

You (and your friend) just need to be very strict about the food intake. No treats (unless taken out of his daily food allowance)... watch out that they don't pick up anything while out (they are terrible scavengers) and cut back by at least a third the amount of food he is on. If he's not losing weight on that, then cut back some more. You can get special diet foods which help bulk them out so they don't feel hungry, but tbh, a labrador is always hungry, you just have to be firm and stick with it.

Hi my vet told me if our staff lab gets big in the future to change a third of his food to veg, it will fill them up with very few calories. He said as he has lab in him to get him used to veg as he may be prone to putting on weight with age. I would also suggest a gentle training programme extending the walk by a couple of minutes a day. It make take time but it will be worth it in the end.

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Funny that I was going to say veg - it has worked for me and they love it, just remember to whizz it up if you are feeding it.

Treats can be carrot or apple instead of biscuits.

I remember reading that a rich tea biscuit is the equivalent of a burger to a dog so think about how many extra calories these poor animals get in treats

Hi, thanks for the great advice

Aero is currently on high quality food (not sure what but aparently it looks like rabbit food) I will be changing her to light food.

Not sure if I'll have any pennies spare for hydrotherapy, also it would mean having to drive an hour or so and we have no car at the mo.. but we will live next to the river and beach by then, and I know Dixie will be swimming in it!

I will work out her daily ration with the vet and take some of this out for treats. I have a huge extendy lead I can use so i can have control of her on walks without her feeling restricted, fortunately where we are moving to is very tidy village, no one leaves food on the ground

I am not asking my friends mum anything for this, I am doing it as a favour.

x

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our jrt was a little barrel at one time, and ate just about anything. we had him on an obesity dog food from the vets, because he's a terrier he was only allowed 95g a day, which i split in to 2 meals for him, so he didn't feel left out when the others had there meals. he is now a lot slimmer and we have him on James wellbeloved senior light, and he seems to be maintaining his weight and has a new lease of life, playing with the others etc.

good luck

I adopted an old black Labrador who was also very over weight. The previous owners would feed her porridge, cereal, ice cream, pretty much human food, and she did no excersize which didn't help. The thing that got Zoe to lose weight was of course rationing food but also swimming! It was really gentle on her joints too, seeing as she is old. Labs naturally love the water so i'd definatly recommend taking her to a pond or lake nearby. Zoe is now a very healthy weight and acts just like a puppy! Good luck!
xxx Joey

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lucy is 9yrs n is on sensative food but she was overweight when i got her but since she has been with me she runs 4 miles every morning n her food is measured wish i could do the same 4 myself hehe !!good on you tho hun you are juch a doggy samariten xx

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]mummy 2 :_lucy x rescue,2 golfish & 3 gals, african grey parrot - mojo x