Skip to content

Helping your dog lose weight

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • There was a person here on the Forum for a short time that posted a picture of her Basenji… she was as big around as tall, poor thing.... she was all put out that her Vet said the dog needed a diet... and thought she look just fine and was perfectly healthy.... didn't get the support to that from anyone on the Forum...

  • @tanza:

    There was a person here on the Forum for a short time that posted a picture of her Basenji… she was as big around as tall, poor thing.... she was all put out that her Vet said the dog needed a diet... and thought she look just fine and was perfectly healthy.... didn't get the support to that from anyone on the Forum...

    Some people have the abberated idea that a fat dog = a healthy dog. :eek:

  • Look at what people are doing for their kids…plump baby = healthy baby..not necessarily, and we know fat children does not = healthy children..

  • Basenjimamma, true fat babies not healthy have you really ever looked at a can of formula and broke down the fats in it. Like feeding cattle just to fatten them up.

    As the old story goes we do it to our children when they first start out in life then same goes for our dogs we do good old table food Ha!

    Rita Jean

  • We do need fats for development of our brain, as an infant, but their is no reason for babies, toddlers and children of any age to be rolley polleys..

  • You need a limited amount of fats for development. I my sister's daughter did a chart for a school project on the fats a baby needs and the fats in formula's, baby cereals, baby foods. Took chart did meals for a baby up to 12 months and the fats that a baby got were unreal.
    This what I say no different unless we learn, read what ever same as with our dogs good table food for them as baby foods for babies. I would have never ever know until I seen the chart.

    Rita Jean

  • I have a hands-free jogging harness. It's GREAT. The kids love it and think they're on a mission to lead the pack down the sidewalks where we go running. I will try to find a pic if anyone is interested!! :)

  • I would love to see it and if can tell me were you got it.

    Rita Jean

  • I got mine from FunStuffforDogs.com – however, I can't find it on their site anymore. I did manage to find it several other places. This one was the cheapest and most closely resembles the one I have. I like this one because it has a loop for your hand for extra control. It also has some bungee material so IF your dog decides to go in a different direction from you, it's not as harsh on him. I also like it's designed with a little waist compartment that will hold my keys, cell phone, and doggie poop bags. I have to admit though-- if we're just walking, my dogs will sniff and get tangled up. I connect my two dogs on a leash splitter so they're both harnessed into the same unit. And for us, it works best if we are jogging or running. They LOVE it. If I get that thing out, they go nuts because they know what's coming. :) Let me know if anyone else tries this!! :)

    http://www.petstreetmall.com/Hands-Free-Leash/4172/1589/

  • @Brenda:

    My Vet said that Marko is overweight. I've cut back on his treats and food. I also feed him veggie when he's still hungry. But he's still not losing any weight. He's 41 lbs. Is that to heavy a weight for a Basenji. We have a big fenced in back yard and he goes out and runs with Bella every day. Also my husband takes them both on walks daily. Is there anything else I can do? Or do you think he's OK? I've had the Vet check his Thyroid and he's OK, so the Vet says. Help:eek:

    Brenda, thanks for posting. As you can see by the responses, yes 41lbs is way too heavy unless you have a b-cross. Many here have wonderful advice when it comes to weight loss and most long time posters have more experience than me.

    I can only add that after reading here at the forums when I first joined, I got rid of all the dog snacks in my house, stopped the 'one for me, one for you' practice during evening hours and weekends with chips and cheetos from the husband, bought a small bag of a good off brand lite dog food to use as rewards, and cut back on the oz. size of daily feedings.

    My Kate went from 32lbs to 28 lbs in one year. May not seem a BIG loss to others, but it was a HUGE step for us. Gave us the fortitude to continue our best efforts. She continues to lose weight. She's still chubby compared to her big brother, but she's looking better every year.

  • Thank you for the information. I will let you know if we get one. Thank you.

    Rita Jean

Suggested Topics

  • Help!!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    2 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I have never had a vet not know what breed my dogs are, even though when I got my first one they did not have any others in the practice. My vet immediately began reading up. And when I gave her info, she listened. Foxtails can be very nasty and a vet that lives in an area with them should know you have to REMOVE IT before your dog will get better. So I join the others in begging you to get another vet.
  • Sick Dog Question– help, please?!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    186
    0 Votes
    186 Posts
    91k Views
    O
    @agilebasenji: Zest! has about 2 extra pounds he could have. Jet the trying also has a few to spare. I wonder if I can send them via the USpost. Spencer says "send 'em on– Priority Mail, please!" Though if he keeps being a little platelicker, he may reclaim his "love handles." For now, he is still the Angelina Jolie of the dog world.
  • Dog Lice

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    dmeyD
    Thanks for the advice. We are now lice free, thankfully. I did some research and it turns out that. Dog lice are a specific species, different from human lice and we cant get them, neither can my cats.(I have two cats) I guess the bird lice are different. I had already given them the frontlin( not actually frontline brand, its called Fipronex, so that they wouldnt catch it. So I was extra worried for no reason. I am not a big fan of chemicals either. Thats why I didnt have Ayo on the regular dosis of frontline but the thing is that we have such a big stray dog problem that , almost every patch of grass in town is flea and tick infested and we end up having to deal with it a lot, so most people use frontline or similar products regularly. I didnt really have that problem with my last dog ( my great dane CHelo). I used to find a couple of ticks on him like once a year and usually they would dissapear with one application instead of having to regularly do preventive treatment with it. I will read up on the natural remedies, maybe I can use them next time without having to use the chemicals. I also read that these lice are very very uncommon in countries like United States or European countries,.. again, its the conditions of all the stray dogs that we have here. Its a shame, and there are a lot of organizations that try to help, but in the end, you know, when you have a lot of people that need aid, its really hard to get aid for animals. Thanks for the help….
  • Looking for help

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    wizardW
    You might want to watch her carefully in regard to her food, treats, and whatever she eats when you're not looking. Then change one by one to see if the diarrhea is indeed because of the particular brand of food.
  • Appropriate Weight

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    17 is normal for a male… From the Basenji standard: Size, Proportion, Substance Ideal height for dogs is 17 inches and bitches 16 inches. Dogs 17 inches and bitches 16 inches from front of chest to point of buttocks. Approximate weight for dogs, 24 pounds and bitches, 22 pounds. Lightly built within this height to weight ratio
  • Help!!!!!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    Diana…. I totally agree that we seem to be seeing IBD alot more in our breed again........ And Janet, you should also point her to the Basenji Club of America site www.basenji.org and then she can go to the health section …. read more about health concerns in Basenjis