I need some dog food advice again.

[Suki Wingy]

I read a study done with a litter of goldens or labs, half were free fed and lived to about 9 and half were fed twice a day and lived to about 14 or something.

[Giselle]

Originally posted by Suki Wingy
I read a study done with a litter of goldens or labs, half were free fed and lived to about 9 and half were fed twice a day and lived to about 14 or something.

WHOA! I've never even heard of that! Hmm, were these guys tested in laboratories or were they in loving family homes? I know Wysong tests family pets, instead of of actual Labs in labs.

[cali]

it does not matter if she eats the same amount as the other 2, if she's overweight she is eating to much, plus she does not exersize as much as the other 2, so she wont work it off like the other 2. the amount of food you feed should corrolate with the amount of exersize the dog has had BEFORE the meal. for example, if a dog has lots of exersize one day they should be fed enugh food to make up for what they lost, and if the dog gets veryt little exersize one day then that day the meal should be smaller.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Originally posted by lv4dogs
It seems as if Sylvia's matabolism may be different than your other 2.

That's what I think too. Pugs are prone to obesity and JRTs aren't. JRTs in general have a high metabolism therefore wouldn't be as likely to become obese.

I too recommend no longer free feeding. Offer them their food (each in their own dish) and take up anything that isn't eaten after 10-15 minutes. Green beans with Sylvia's food is a great idea. I would also go with a reduced calorie diet for her. I'd keep the other two on their regular food as long as you are happy with it.

[My Peanuts]

Ok, here's what I did. I am going to stick with the Chicken Soup food for the time being, but there are a few other changes. Sylvia, Harley, & Morty are on a schedule now. They eat at 10am and 8pm. I get them to eat all their food at once instead of walking away from it with baby food. I take 1 small jab per meal (they like the chicken dinner one) and I mix it with water. Enough water to make gravy for all 3 bowls. Then I heat it up and put it over their dry food. They love it. Plus, each can is only about 40 calories and that gets spit 3 ways. We will see how long this works with these picky little guys!

[Giselle]

That sounds greyt! Good Luck with the diet and remember to exercise Sylvia no matter what. Exercise will help burn off a lot of that extra chub My Peke was starting to put on a little chub way back when, but I started bringing him along Giselle's walks and he's burnt off a good 2 or so pounds. You could also hurdle Sylvia (not necessarily agility). That ought to give her some good exercise! Good Luck!