My Name is TaraBear and I'm a Chubby Doodle

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 Don't let this happen to your doodle!

Last time you saw Tara she was partying hard on her 4th birthday. Well all that has come to a quick end. Yesterday I posted a video in the Grooming Group for a DK'er who was concerned about her doodle's weight. After watching it I gave Tara the exam. OMCD! (Oh My Cubby Doodle!) I'm guessing she is about 2 pounds overweight which is quite a bit for a 20 pounder. The equivalent of your 100 pound doodle being 10 pounds over. She has lost her hourglass figure and her ribs have disappeared.  So the diet started yesterday, right in time for the Holidays! :(

Here's the video (please ignore all references to Purina!!):

Then I received a Newsletter from Tara's vet today which contained this article (excerpts as I removed the parts about having your vet advise you about diets and food :) stressing the importance of proper weight for our dogs. Also giving me a jab for killing Tara with too much food!!!!  So "we" at least the "me" part of  "we" are determined to find Tara's ribs and get her hourglass figure back. Tara on the other hand is threatening to rehome herself! I see I have my work cut out for me!!

 

Obesity in Dogs

Is Your Dog Overweight?

Obesity is on the rise, and not just for humans. Dogs are increasingly overweight and even obese. In the United States, an estimated 43 million dogs are overweight or obese - that’s over half of all dogs! And it is not just dogs in the United States that need to lose a few pounds - canine obesity is also a problem in Canada, Europe, Australia and other countries worldwide.

Canine obesity increases the risk for osteoarthritis, insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory problems, kidney disease, some types of cancer, and cranial cruciate ligament injury. Thanks to these increased health problems, overweight dogs face a decreased life expectancy of up to 2.5 years.

Even if your dog is just a couple pounds over his ideal weight, those few pounds could make a big difference to your dog's health. For example, a 7lb Pomeranian is considered to be a “healthy” weight and the equivalent of a 145lb, 5’ 4” human female. An extra five pounds on the Pomeranian, however, is the equivalent to a 249lb female, which is more than 100lbs over the female’s ideal body weight. Just a few extra pounds really will make a big difference for your dog’s health.

Why are so many dogs overweight? Unfortunately, some pet owners are literally killing their dogs with too much food and too many treats! For example, only one ounce of cheese for a 20 pound dog is the equivalent of 1.5 hamburgers for the average woman! While dog owners may never intentionally mean to hurt their pet, overfeeding, lack of exercise, and poor dietary choices have led to a pet obesity crisis.

A lack of outdoor exercise is also a problem. Busy pet owners who work long hours simply don’t have the time to take their dog for longs walks, runs or play fetch. Together, too much food and a lack of exercise is the perfect recipe for dog obesity.

Early intervention will help overweight dogs get healthy. 

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks, Karen. I've read that it is difficult for dogs to digest raw veggies. Is this correct?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, see below.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Do you think a dog can digest raw carrot? It seems like they used to go straight through Tara! :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nope, dogs cannot digest raw carrots or most other vegetables. But people can't digest many raw vegetables, either. The cell walls are made up of indigestible plant cellulose, which is just basically fiber.When you cook the carrots, the cells walls are broken down and the nutrients become available. Believe it or not, cooked carrots are much more nutritious for people (and for dogs) than raw carrots.

But the raw veggies don't hurt us, they provide fiber, and they don't hurt the dogs either, in moderation.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is also why some of the theories you hear about grains not being a "natural" food for dogs are not based in fact. It's true that "dogs in the wild" don't eat grains, but neither could we. You couldn't just go over to a wheatfield and chow down, lol. Only ruminants can do that. The grains have to be processed (ground, cooked, etc) in order for humans to digest them. We know that most nutritionists advise us to eat more whole grains, and we know that doing so helps lower cholesterol, prevent colon cancers, and provides many other health benefits. So the fact that grains in their natural state can't be digested by humans doesn't mean that grains aren't good for humans or that we shouldn't eat them, and it might not mean that for dogs, either.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Oh no TaraBear, don't let the doodle get you down. First it's a pinch of pudge, and before you know it you have dysmorphophobia (I know, I know, look it up ! LOL) and are in deep doodle dog therapy ! Be strong and tell your loving mama Doodle to stop playing with your kibble and green beans, and just take you for some extra or longer walks !

Love

Finnley

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Finnley, I really want to stay clear of that dys...whatever thing. It sounds really bad. I like the extra walk idea! I'm going to tell mom so she can tell dad to walk me more!  Xoxo TaraBear

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Cole' (R.I.P.) went to the vet for the annual checkup/vaccinations and weighed in at 101 pounds! The vet aid that he had to lose 25 pounds. I managed to get his weight down to the ideal for him and kept it there for the rest of his life by portion control, both kibble and treats. He ate a lot of fresh veggies which helped to fill his stomach.

I vowed that Haley would never be overweight so I would take him to the vet to get weighed about once a month. That got old after awhile so I purchased a veterinary animal pet scale on ebay. Every Friday Haley and I have a weigh in. I must say that Haley is doing better weight wise than me. :-)

Tara Bear, tell you daddy to give you veggies and not cheese for treats. 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

:-)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks Anne your stories of Cole and Haley's weight management have inspired me. Tara not so much as she is having trouble generating any enthusiasm about this process!

Mr. Haley's mom, my dad says he's not givin' me any cheese today but I've be practicing my cutest and most pathetic looks in the mirror all morning. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to wear him down! Hee hee hee!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Tara, I always wear my dad down with cute pathetic doodle looks unless my mom is watching him.   My mom NEVER gives in.  And, veggies are really good to eat.  Ask for fresh ones they are better.   Hope to see you nice and trim in a few weeks.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Mr. Haley, my mom is going to be my problem too! :( I'm going to see if the cat will distract her at cheese time!  Otherwise I might be in trouble-a day without cheese is like a day without a mud puddle if you know what I mean!  I'm going to think about those veggies. You make them sound like they might be worth another look!