How Low Can Ya Go?

• 08-08-2008 1:57 PM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  4HAND Joined on 05-28-2008 Posts 126 Points 15

  Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact   Right now,yes.Less than a week ago[when at 2 cups per day ]it was 900 kcals.She had recieved that over the course of oh...five or six weeks and has gained back more than half of the weight lost while on the Nutro Natural food[267 kcals per cup].I am sure being a spayed senior lab[10]accounts for her slow metabolism.I certainly can't consume even half the calories I did 20 years ago even though I walk/run 4 miles a day.So back to the original question......Which is better for her,a grain free food in small quantities or a food with grains in a heartier portion? Tena     Im not fat! Im big boned!....Eric Cartman, South Park

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• 08-08-2008 2:32 PM

  In reply to 4HAND

  brookcove Joined on 09-10-2007 Semora, North Carolina, USA Posts 4,058 Points 335

  Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact Both grain frees and foods with grain offer products where the portion size will be more or less.  So it's just what works for your budget and your dog's needs  You indicated that grain free seemed to work better for her, so if I were in your shoes I'd go for that.  Core and Natural Balance both offer grain frees that are lower in calories.  Look at the kcals/kg to get the best idea of which foods you'll be feeding more or less of.  As Karen mentioned, you can also add foods that are low in calories and add volume to the food, like green beans (usually chosen because dogs like the canned ones and they are cheap and convenient).  Steamed squash is another good one - markets are overrun with zucchini right now and you might even know someone giving zukes away.  Squash is high in antioxidants and other nutrients good for arthritis, too.  Becca Shouse Maggie and Zhi (queen bees), Ben, Gus, Cord, Rocky, Ted (BCs), Lu and Tully (Maremma flock guardians) Irena Farm, Semora, NC

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• 08-08-2008 3:04 PM

  In reply to VanMorrison

  kpwlee Joined on 06-16-2006 North Carolina Posts 3,745 Points 375	Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact VanMorrison: In the last 6 months he has gone from 104 lbs to 92 lbs.   Congrats to Monroe and to you that is awesome! I have a friend with a show lab and it is way too bulky - however he does well in the ring and they have been told to keep his weight up. Bleck
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• 08-08-2008 5:27 PM

  In reply to 4HAND

  mudpuppy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 5,384 Points 100	Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact have you considering feeding her say Nature's variety pre-made raw or canned foods? she'd get a much larger quantity of food than if fed dry kibble. Since she eats little it's afforadable.
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• 08-09-2008 7:38 AM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  4HAND Joined on 05-28-2008 Posts 126 Points 15

  Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact I never considered canned before [having to recycle all those cans] but maybe it's time to do that.Right now my son and husband do feedings when I work and they both get a little grossed out by the smell of cannedbut if that ends up being the best solution they'll get over it.Thanks everyone for the input. Tena Im not fat! Im big boned!....Eric Cartman, South Park

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• 08-09-2008 7:52 AM

  In reply to brookcove

  4HAND Joined on 05-28-2008 Posts 126 Points 15	Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact I like the squash idea.Is it steamed to increase palatability or to make it more bioavailable? I ask because I know she will eat it raw [she'll eat almost anything in fact!] . Tena Im not fat! Im big boned!....Eric Cartman, South Park
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• 08-09-2008 8:31 AM

  In reply to 4HAND

  brookcove Joined on 09-10-2007 Semora, North Carolina, USA Posts 4,058 Points 335

  Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact Steamed and pureed if needed is best.  Some squash you can bake it and it gets all mooshy (like butternut) so that's all you need - just cut in half, take out the seeds, and put it in the microwave for about ten minutes in a dish with some water.  Then cool and scoop out the mooshy insides.  Typically you bake the winter squashes and steam/puree the summer squashes. Becca Shouse Maggie and Zhi (queen bees), Ben, Gus, Cord, Rocky, Ted (BCs), Lu and Tully (Maremma flock guardians) Irena Farm, Semora, NC

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• 08-09-2008 3:45 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  chelsea_b Joined on 09-10-2007 Costa Mesa, CA Posts 2,663 Points 260	Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact rwbeagles: WOW! My beagles get 1 1/2 c per day...Cleo weighs 85lbs and gets 6c per day...but she's a growing pup... Cherokee is 65 pounds (and slightly chubby at the mo') and eats less than 2 cups of Core a day. Jaz is 75 and eats 2 cups. I don't think it's terribly abnormal for bigger dogs to eat only a little more than medium sized dogs. Chelsea &
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• 08-11-2008 8:35 AM

  In reply to chelsea_b

  KarissaKS Joined on 06-01-2007 La Crosse, WI Posts 602 Points 795

  Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact I also don't think that people need to jump on the thyroid bandwagon.  Luke is an incredibly active dog (agility, running at the barn daily, swimming, ball, etc.) and he's been on 2 cups of Evo for quite a while now.  He used to get 3 cups and started to gain weight (he got up to 93.5 lbs).  I cut him back to the 2 cups and he's down to 85 lbs now.  He's slim, but he needs to be for the type of activities we do. Some dogs are just more "efficient" than others.  Their metabolism also slows down as they age -- Luke ate like a horse until he hit four and then the weight started to come on and his food had to get cut.  Same thing happens to a lot of people, so it shouldn't be a surprise when it happens to our dogs!  Luke -- Lab/Shepherd (1-1-04) Kaiser -- Alaskan Klee Kai (12-30-07) Sar -- Arabian gelding (4-11-80) Norman -- Percheron/TB gelding (6-18-00)

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• 08-11-2008 8:25 PM

  In reply to KarissaKS

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,575 Points 75	Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact  Emma also slowed WAY down at about 3 1/2. She's now eating only slightly more than what a dog her size should eat, instead of eating the same amount as her Doberbuddies. Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)
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• 08-11-2008 8:42 PM

  In reply to jennie_c_d

  brookcove Joined on 09-10-2007 Semora, North Carolina, USA Posts 4,058 Points 335

  Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact Doberbuddies - rofl!  I remember when she and BEN weren't eating that much apart in volume!  Now Ben's gone down quite a bit too - a combination of a reduction in activity, getting his thyroid under control, and getting his GI straightened out.  Becca Shouse Maggie and Zhi (queen bees), Ben, Gus, Cord, Rocky, Ted (BCs), Lu and Tully (Maremma flock guardians) Irena Farm, Semora, NC

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• 08-11-2008 9:16 PM

  In reply to KarissaKS

  chelsea_b Joined on 09-10-2007 Costa Mesa, CA Posts 2,663 Points 260	Re: How Low Can Ya Go? Reply Contact KarissaKS: I also don't think that people need to jump on the thyroid bandwagon. What the heck @ "thyroid bandwagon"? How can you possibly think it's a bad idea to check a dog's thyroid if there's something weird going on? Plus, you know, LOTS of dogs really do have thyroid problems..so it's a pretty good guess...IMO. Chelsea &
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