My Neighbor's Obese Labradoodle

@mimico (3617)
Philippines
June 18, 2008 6:58am CST
Tiger, my neighbor's brown labradoodle, is so cute and sweet. The problem is, she's obese! She's so fat she can't walk anymore. To think she's only 2 years old! When she was born, she used to play with her siblings a lot. But after a while, she became more sedentary and less active. In addition to that, she has a massive appetite like she can eat for 2! Anyway, we're all scared that something bad's going to happen to her because of her weight problem. We've tried cutting her meal sizes but she steals the other dogs' food anyway. And the only time she moves is when she needs to eat. Have any of you faced this problem with your dogs before? What did you do? Please help, thanks!
2 responses
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
18 Jun 08
We had an obese dog, but we've fixed that problem. After the dog eats, take it away from the other dogs. Either place her in a separate room where she cannot get to the other dogs' food while they finish eating. Have your neighbor talk to the local vet about what sort of dietary food that she could give her Labradoodle, and how much she should give. If the dog can move for food, she can move for a walk. Start off with a simple walk, such as five minutes. Suggest that your neighbor walk her dog somewhere other than the backyard. If there is a sidewalk, she should walk down the sidewalk for a bit, then come back home. Make sure that the dog has good access to water after the walk, and even encourage her to drink. Continue that for the rest of the week, as well as monitoring the food. The next week, increase it to ten minute walk. If the dog was having too much difficulty with the short five-minute walk, then just increase it to seven minutes. I hope this helps!
• United States
18 Jun 08
How horrible for that poor dog. Her life will be much shorter for all of that extra weight. My dog would eat and eat and eat, but we limit the amount of food she gets every day. If she's stealing other dogs food, put her in a room or pen until the other dogs are finished eating, then take up their bowls.