Lilly's diet is going to be TOUGH

[Sudilar]

Poor Lilly! At least she didn't really gain weight. I have Shiloh on Nutro Natural Choice Lite. We'll see if she looses any weight! What does Lilly eat? Good luck!

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

Our little Pup is one of those dogs that has trouble keeping her weight down, and we have to keep her slim because of her hip dysplaysia. (Which also contributes to the problem, because she doesn't run and play as much as most small young dogs would.)
We keep her body shaved short so that we can watch her waistline, and we have her on a fairly strict diet. She's about 20 pounds, and she eats (total for the day) about 7/8 cup of Nutro Max Weight Control, and over 1/2 can of no-salt veggies (usually green beans). The vet told us that we could supplement the veggies as a stomach-filler, as long as she was still acting like herself, in terms of energy level. If she started to act lethargic or weak, that would be a sign that the veggie diet wasn't working, we were told. But, she does great on it - high energy; she act young and exuberent! She gets regular treats - we give alot of small ones in a day, rather than just a couple of big ones. If she has a high-activity day, we give her a little extra food to make up for the expended energy!
Anyway, this is just what has worked for us!

[carrie]

lizbud, how is the cruciate problem?

All you doggies on the D word, stop making it hard for your people!!

Seriously the less of an issue you make of it, the less the dog will notice. It takes them around two meals to get used to the lesser amount of food they can expect and after that they aren't really hungry but are playing to the audience!!
For those that are do the D for hip problems try taking the dog swimming - geat excersise without the strain.
Add fibre to the dog's diet with a handful (small!) high fibre cereal (we have All Bran and Bran Flakes).
Give up the idea that treats are good for your dog - the only one they are good for is YOU! It doesn't matter if it is bacon fat or carrot...dog's don't need treats! Of course they will always take them, that's how dogs are built, but it is much better for your relationship to give rewards in the form of games, physical contact and verbal praise. You will actually like your dog even more when it does what you ask for a cuddle rather than only if you have that special biscuit.

[Logan]

One thing I can say, Carrie, is that thank goodness, my dogs are not treat dependent. And guess what, I learned yesterday that Honey likes carrots, but Lilly hates them! LOL!! I have cut their meals in half in the last two months, and no more tastes of canned food, and they have done beautifully. Honey will be weighed on Friday when I take Butter to see Dr. Robinson. She's going along for the ride! She will probably have lost weight with my luck!

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone and the good advice. I found out today that Flint River Ranch does have a senior food and it is on its way now.

[lizbud]

Logan..Lots of luck to You & Lilly on your
D*** efforts... Guess it's just a lifelong
thing that we all (Human & Animal) have to deal with on a daily basis.Does Honey gain
weight or keep it on, the way Lilly has???
My Buddy is back on a diet ,hopefully it
become second nature to me to feed him less
and not be tempted to go overboard on treats
because Bud's had a bad day or i feel sorry
for him.(Bud plays me like a fiddle)
Carrie...Sorry i didn't see your earlier
question re the cruciate ligament..
Bud is doing much better.Seems to gain
some strength every day.Almost fear to post
how good i feel about his progress.(bad Luck)
i've been posting when time permits on
GOOD LUCK BUDDY. Thanks for asking.

[Logan]

The bad "D" word has taken on a new meaning in this house! Honey was weighed yesterday at Dr. Robinson's office. She was still 72 pounds. No gain, but no loss either.

So, he has actually decided to put both of them on an appetite suppressent! Told me not to be tempted to take them myself because they are stronger than Metabolife! Cut the food back a bit more, and am supplementing with green beans daily.

Lilly's target is 80 pounds. 16 to lose for her.

Honey's target is 65 pounds. 7 pounds for her to lose.

I'm going to finish up the food I have since I just got a new shipment, only they will be eating even less of it. Next shipment will be the senior version of Flint River Ranch.

Cross your fingers, folks. We have to lick (excuse the pun) this and soon!

Logan

[Daisy's Mom]

All paws and fingers are crossed here! Good luck, Honey and Lilly! You can do it!