I just do not understand this

So now what?

I just do not understand, all my mom’s dogs were raised on table scraps. Yet, my vet indicated that I may be overindulging my Boston, most likely with too many treats or people food. I have just been told Mia needs to lose a couple of pounds.

Can you believe it! It may be MY entire fault! Well, the rest of the family also helped.

"Very often, it is not the dog’s official food that is causing the weight problem; it is all the additional treats or snacks between meals."
Great, how am I going to keep track of everything she eats on a daily basis. “Do an honest assessment, covering all treats and snacks, including those given by other family members, neighbors, dog sitters, and dog walkers," my vet told me.

Thank goodness for one of the tips you were given to help control the amounts.

If your family is like mine, this is not going to be easy. Nope not at all. We give treats to Mia and there was going to be no way I would be able to control that.  I have tried before. The family just started sneaking "little bites" to Mia. I even banned Mia from the dining room when we were eating. I would find little gifts of smuggled food in some of the oddest places. The trouble with having kids and a spouse that just did not get it.

There was a suggestion given today that might work. Nagging sure did not seem to.

"Choose healthy alternatives," your vet suggested with a smile. "Such as veggies or rice cakes, and decide at the beginning of each day exactly how many the dog is allowed; put this amount in a bowl, and when they're gone, they're gone." Your veterinarian also told you to cut her daily intake by 15% and even gave you the exact amount of calories per day required to lose weight based on her current size, ideal body weight, energy level, and general health.

Who would have ever thought to count calories when feeding a dog? Good Grief…

And then the vet wants you to walk your dog. Who has the time for that? Perhaps the kids could do that. I always thought having a fenced yard would be enough. 

He even took some blood to check to see if there might also be an underlying health condition that might have produced the weight gain. This reminds me I want to "Google" Cushing’s disease and thyroid levels in dogs.

Could you believe it? The vet even suggested that not only was your dog fat, but on the verge of being considered obese. What will the neighbors think if they learn of this? Ridiculous to say the least.

The potentially devastating consequences of obesity include: Trouble breathing, Greater risk for heat stroke, Pancreatitis, Diabetes, Orthopedic concerns, Compromised immune system and what seemed another 10 or so bad things. The pamphlet your vet tech had handed you today still stares accusingly on the top of the rumpled paper receipt marked paid from today’s visit. Ouch, that vet bill really was going to be hard to explain to hubby... But if he would have only cooperated with me, we would not have needed the extra visit.

How Long Will It Take to See Results?  you had asked. The reply was "It would take several months."  Then those stinging words: "Hopefully while achieving your dog’s weight loss goals, you and your family will develop some healthier habits. Stick to avoiding between-meal snacks and treats, regular exercise, and controlled food portions. Getting the whole family into healthy-dog habits is essential for long-term weight management." I do not think I would enjoy being a vet and having to constantly caution and plead for people to not overfeed.

Jeepers, the stack of papers on dieting waited patiently for your attention. The subjects seemed to be so exciting, “How to begin to diet”, “How to find the caloric content of your pet foods.” Especially exciting was the one entitled, “Determine your dog’s dietary needs."

This might be a good time to try making your dog’s food at home. Your friend and neighbor Sharon had been doing this for years and had several recipes she swore by.

Wow, this could be expensive. But then again so are vet bills and commercial dog food from the pet stores.  I have to face up to it.... Dogs can be expensive...  "Don't worry little one." I glanced at Mia. She seemed to understand this was all about her.  There was a concerned expression on her face.... "You're worth it."

"Sharon, Hey girlfriend, you know that recipe you use for your dogs?  Well can you email me a copy? I know you have been trying to get me to try it.  Yes, I need to see if, well I need to get Mia on a diet.  You have convinced me. If your dogs can stay healthy and slim then I need to try it with Mia. Oh, and when you walk your dogs, can the kids tag along and bring Mia? Great I will let them know.  Thanks. Talk to you later, I have got to do some shopping. Bye."  I hung up and went to the computer.

Sharon's Cooking food for dogs-recipe.

■ 3 lbs meat (ground turkey, beef, or pork; chicken thighs; or jack mackerel and sardines)
■ 6 eggs (scrambled)
■ 1 or 2 cups whole milk cottage cheese or yogurt
■ 6 ounces organ meat (beef liver, pork kidney, chicken hearts, etc.)
■ 2 cups cooked brown rice plus 2 cups veggies (carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, broccoli, peas, spinach, etc.), OR 4 cups legumes (2 cups each green beans and either lentils or pinto beans)

Wait a minute.  This is dog food? I may have trouble keeping the kids and hubby from eating this. I chuckled to myself. That would be sort of funny.... No I could not do that...

Later that evening after dinner I pulled out Sharon's cooking instructions. The one good thing about this is the dog food could be cooked in batches and stored in the fridge or even frozen in individual portions.

I cooked everything separately on the stove.  After the thighs are cooked, I took the meat off and threw away the bones. I steamed the veggies and cooked the sweet potato in the microwave.

Mia sat there on her mat watching every move I made. I almost had everything done when the kids ambled in wondering what was going on...  So I put them to work measuring the batches into portions in individual containers one for each meal.  This could turn out to be a family project, a bonus I had not even thought of. With everyone pitching in they might just take what needs to be done more seriously. We can hope. 

There everything was mixed together then portioned into the containers ready to be served. Sharon suggested we microwave the food for 30 seconds to take the chill off and adding any supplements at mealtime.  Sharon told me she adds fish oil and vitamin E daily, but that I should ask my vet how much to give Mia.  She also gives her dog one teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar.

Then Sharon told me "When not feeding canned fish, I add one teaspoon crushed eggshell daily."

"What" I stopped her. Did you just tell me crushed eggshells?"  She did! 

Oh my, this one I will just have to look up.... crushed eggshell?

She went on to mention that she also adds small amounts occasionally of fruit, such as bananas, strawberries, pineapple, and mangoes, in addition to her dogs regular diet. "I estimate that at least 10 percent of their calories come from training treats, usually chicken or cheese."

I groaned to myself at the thought of counting calories for Mia. I don't even do this for the family.

One bright spot was when Sharon told us that her dog had lost a few pounds and his coat has become glossy and he quit scratching. Well, it is worth trying for a couple of months...

For tonight's introduction I gave Mia her first taste.  We will slowly introduce her to this new diet, mixing our home-prepared food with her normal kibble so as to not cause an upset stomach with a sudden change in food. 

It was sort of comical Mia was not sure what all the fuss was about. The kids put her food bowl down on her mat as usual. But instead of going about their usual activities they just stood waiting for Mia to try eating the new food.  Mia not used to all the concentrated attention, just stood there looking back at them. I had to make them move away... The result was once the kids gave Mia some space, she dove right in with gusto!  Of course the kids were excited and ran off to report to their dad, the wonderful news.

Hints:

Adjust as needed for your individual dog (Talk to your vet)

Other meats such as venison, pork, chicken, etc. can be used instead of the beef or turkey.
This recipe can be frozen in meal size portions. It’s easy to prepare:
Cook the rice. Then mix in a little oil.
Bake the potatoes and chop them up in their skins.
Lightly fry or scramble the eggs.
Remember that it’s not necessary to feed a balanced diet every day, as long as the diet is balanced over time.

Supplements you might consider adding.
1,000 mg calcium (for example, ½ tsp ground eggshell)
Sample daily supplements (optional) 1 or 2 fish oil capsules

(400 to 600 mg combined EPA and DHA), or 3 small sardines

200 IUs vitamin E once a week (required)

500 mg vitamin C once or twice a day
vitamin B-50 complex once or twice a day
cod liver oil in an amount yielding around 100 to 200 IUs vitamin D
½ tsp organic apple cider vinegar mixed with ½ teaspoon raw honey
1-Tbsp nutritional yeast

I guess we will try this for a while especially since the kids are learning some new attitudes and skills at the same time... If only they would be as enthusiastic about cleaning up when we are finished.

Edited by Jan Mitchell