over weight please help

[starr]

my dog wrinkles is so over weight. he is 15 pounds more then he is supposed to be. he was like that when my sister gave him to me. i have put him and starr on diets, i can't walk him because he won't walk. he won't play catch outside, only in our apartment, which isn't alot of space to run. is there any home remedies to help him lose weight? before it is to late. he already has problems getting up and moving around. he gets pooped out walking one block. what can i do to change his weight. he is only three. kim

[kokakola]

Well, thats wat happen when a dog becomes obese. Over weight dogs r more prone to injury and may have some health problems. they r also too heavy and easily tired which make them too lazy to move around. It might be a serious problem...
I think u really have to cut down on his treats and food amount. If he's too hungry, feed him with food which contain more moisture(more volume). I think some dog food companies have a special formula for overweight dogs that contain fewer calories.
U have to try making him to do some exercises...
That's wat I learnt from the web... :)

[mirrasmom]

Just like Puffie said, I would definetly put him on a weight loss dog food. Just like in humans, it is very hazardous to a dogs health to be overweight. As far as excersise, even just a daily short walk will do him good.
You may want to check with your vet if there is a food he recommends.

[starr]

he is on Nutro weight loss formula. it was recommended to me. he will only run in the apartment, or if we are heading back to the door and i say treat. then he runs to beat starr back. maybe i should walk him three blocks then say treat maybe he will run home everyday. i hope this food works. thanks kim :)

[mirrasmom]

You may also see if he would like more healthy treats instead of good ol' snausages :)
Mirra loves carrots and I have been told (truthfully I hope) that they are good for dogs.

[starr]

thanks for the info, i took him and starr for a walk and he did walk around the block. my sister and i are going to make him do this two times a day. usually i give up because he will sit and not move at all. so we are going to force him to. anyway, treats are limited now, and we in my house made a pack not to feed them any more people food. that is one of the problems. we feel guilty because we have four sad eyeballs staring at us all the time. i will just have to put my back to them so i dont see that. he weighed 40 pounds when i got him. he is only supposed to weigh 25 pounds max. so hopefully this will all work. i feel so bad for him.

[mirrasmom]

Poor little guy! Start the walks slow - let him take a rest if he needs to and slowly build up the amount of time and the speed at which you walk. He will lose the weight with excercise I am sure of it.

The paranoid doggy mommy in me is thinking that you MAY want to take him in to get his thyroid checked just to make sure that there isnt a problem with his metabolism. My dad's dog was having trouble losing weight (and putting on too much weight) and it turns out he had a thyroid issue that was easily solved with a daily pill.

[starr]

i cut down his treats, and i am making him walk a little bit more evryday. i am not free feeding him anymore and he isn't allowed anymore people food. i will get him checked for thyroid problems. thanks for the replies and i will get back soon. kim