anyone know a good DiET dog food??

[candyraver]

I have a 9 year old small dog.She's a chihuahua,NOT the teacup kind!!And shes overweight. We walk 4 times a day.Sometimes shorter walks if I notice her slowing down a lot for breaks (age catching up to her ) She's exercising.My only thought is her dog food.She loves ceaser, & pedigree.And my family USED to feed her from the table too (meats) until I put a stop to it.(I want to keep track of how much shes eating,she's my world & I want her to age gracefully!) My 3 year old dog is in great health.They walk together.
I should also note that she's been gaining quite a bit since I had her spayed 3 years ago.
I was wondering if anyone has their dogs on a weight mantience dog diet that is for elderly dogs & if you are seeing results?
I don't care if the dog food costs a million dollars to buy I want to get her slim again instead of being overweight since at her age i'm pretty positive it poses a risk to her health.

[wellahart]

I'd ask your vet. My vet told me to put shadow on fit and trim ( i think it's purina) and he's lost about 5 pounds in the last 5 months or so...even with table scraps. lol Shadow is only 4 years old or around there though so I would ask your vet about senior dog weight loss.

[corgimom]

I'd ask the vet, as well, because light food for a small dog is probably different than light food for a medium/large dog. And senior weight loss is probably different, too.

We tried putting Ein on Nutro Natural Choice Lite formula, and he actually gained weight. He lost weight on Beneful (bad, I know). Now that he is more active, I've got him back on a regular premium brand.

I'm really not sure what to suggest for a small, senior dog, though. Give the vet a call; they can probably tell you over the phone for no charge.

[Leo]

Schedule an appointment with the vet to talk about her weight,
I wouldn't try diet dog food, My dogs actually gained weight on "diet" dog food... a lot of times they are full of fillers like corn, that aren't so great for them.

Try cutting back on the amount of food you are feeding her. My vet put Gunner my almost 6 year old former fatty on a Low Carb diet that consisted of canned food mixed in with a little dry and meat or vegetable table scraps (no potatoes or rice) this is how he lost 20 lbs in less than 6 months and is back to his youthful self (he had gotten to the point where he wouldn't play ball anymore because he got so tired).

Do a search for the green bean diet for dogs a lot of people swear by this. It is ok to give your dog table scraps, but not table scraps and then their full serving of food... It really sounds like you are just over feeding her. Do you free feed or are they on a schedule? If you free feed STOP!!! free feeding doesn't allow you any way to monitor how much food your dog is actually consuming (with more than 1 dog it is even harder) and is the reason why so many people have fat dogs. The best thing you could do is start feeding your dogs seperatly at the same time(s) daily.... I crated My fatty while he and the other dogs were eating so he couldn't steal their food. Look on the bag of food and only feed the recommended amount for you dogs weight. also remember to include any treats that you give throughout the day as part of her allowed food for the day.

If you are thinking of switching foods stick with one of the more premium brands like: Royal Canin, Canidee, Nutro, Innova, Pro Plan (the other Purina stuff IMO is junk), Chicken Soup for the dog lovers soul, Natures Balance, Wellness I know I am missing some perhaps someone else will list them.

Cesar and Pedigree are not the greatest foods to be feeding your dog (possible reason for the weight problem)... any food you can buy at the grocery store or one you can clip a coupon out of the sunday paper for IMO is not the brand to be feeding your dog. I am guilty of buying dog food from the grocery store in the past, but am completely opposed to it now that I see the huge health benefits of switching to a brand only available at a pet supply store. Go to PetSmart, PetCo etc. and look at or ask about the more premium brands. It costs me around $3 per day to feed all 3 of my dogs premium food (not including treats).

By cutting back her food, feeding the dogs separate and switching to one that is higher in protein I think you will have great success with her weight loss.... I never thought Gunner would have lost the weight (had a lot of guilt over this), but he did and it's really great having him back as an active member of the pack.

[Puttin510]

Feed less but a quality kibble. Feeding the diet stuff is much more fattening actually because it has more carbs in it. She needs low carbs not higher.

[Muzby]

PetSmart carries Blue Buffalo, which is a quality kibble. Also look into Wellness, Innova, Solid Gold, and I'm getting my dogs on a raw diet, which is the BEST for them.

[candyraver]

Thank you so much everyone for the GREAT info!
I'm really thinking its the food that shes on too.I will definately be switching She walks lots,so its the only thing I could think of was her food.

She used to eat table scraps sometimes.
When I was gone out & my family ate supper they would feed my dogs meat that they ate (i'm vegetarian, i used to go back & forth from vegetarian,vegan& raw veganism,so I just call myself "vegetarian".And alternate the foods I eat.) She isn't a picky eater either,she ate some of my food before also.*hangs head in shame*!

I'm going to change her food,monitor her much more closely (warning everyone in the house not to mess up her new schedlule =P ) & hopefully that will fix the problem.
Wish me luck

[Leo]

Sounds like a great plan... the only thing I would add in there would be a trip to the Vet to absolutely rule out a medical reason for the weight gain (like thyroid issues).

Remember when switching foods to do it gradually over the course of 2-3 weeks. starting with 1/4 new and 3/4 old eventually adding more new and less of the old.

Also taking before and after pics could be interesting especially if you get a view of her from the top looking down, this would be the best way to really see the differance.

[candyraver]

She has an appointment in October (1st week) I got it the same day that Reo (my other doggie) needed his checkup so I could take both in at the same time Thanks!!

[Riddick]

I think getting her off Pedigree immediately will help alot. Pedigree is a horrid food (no offense) it has 0 nutritional value, it is a fillers and ver very very bad for dogs. Try finding Solid Gold Holistique Blendz, it is for less active, overweight, senior dogs, I think this would be the best food for her...Good Luck!

[Vanilla_Rat]

Good luck!

Yeah,try a schedule.Feed the dogs 2 or 3 times a day at the same time.And usually only a cup or two per feeding.This is how we feed the dogs at the office.They are fed 2 times a day.They do well that way,as it is routine and dogs like routine.