Trying to help a friend

[Vicky loves Chachi]

My good friend has a Puggle (beagle and pug mix). She recently told me she feeds her dog a special diet she buys from the vet that is supposed to increase her dog's metabolism because her dog (Millie) is very overweight. I of course told her what I learned about in this group regarding " special vet food/diets". She wants to take her off of it but doesn't know what to put Millie on to help her lose weight. She says Millie is constantly hungry and always begging for food and she feels like she is starving her. She has lost some weight since starting the metabolic diet but still is very overweight. Any advice I can give her?
She is going to bring me the ingredient list as well as the analysis tomorrow.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In addition to the name of the food, etc., I need the dog's age & weight. Is her weight the only health problem? 

Is she giving her any other foods, treats, chews, etc? 

What exact formula was she feeding before the Rx food (I need the formula, not just the brand), how much was she giving her, and was she free-feeding? Does Millie get any exercise?

If the dog is very overweight, that's the owner's fault. She was either overfeeding her, under-exercising her, or both. I say this not to cast blame, but to point out that there is only so much that can be done with food. Your friend is going to have to commit to cutting back Millie's calories, even though she feels sorry for her or feels that she is "starving" her. Sh'es also going to have to commit to getting Millie moving more. Unfortunately, there is no food you can eat that is going to magically take off weight. I can help with a better quality diet, but millie is not going to be getting as many calories as she was getting before, or as much as she wants. There are some dogs who would eat themselves into the pet cemetery if you let them.

There is no food that will increase metabolism, for dogs or humans either. We all wish there was. I hope the vet is not actually telling her that any Rx food will increase metabolism.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Is this the garbage the vet sold her? 

http://www.hillspet.com/products/pd-canine-metabolic-prescription-d...

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I was at my vet today,who was selling this stuff. I know they don't have formal training in nutrition, but surely haven't they heard by now what junk it is? Just seems like it would be general knowledge. Seems unfair to mislead so many of their customers if they don't really know the truth of what they are prescribing.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Leslie, successful salespeople are successful because they are very good at what they do...which is selling. 

And Hill's PR department is one of the best. 

Marion Nestle has called the selling of foods by vets a conflict of interest, and also documented that the pet food companies influence the vets. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Vicky, your friend may already know this, but here's some information about Pugs and weight:

Be mindful that pugs have a genetic disposition to becoming overweight if their diet is not monitored closely. These little pooches have a tendency to eat endlessly, as long as food accessible. Therefore, it is recommended that the quantity of food provided is closely monitored. It is suggested that meals are scheduled twice daily in order to develop a regular feeding routine and to help satisfy their insatiable desire to eat.

http://siriusdog.com/pugs-diet-dos-donts.htm

If you're a pug owner, you'll know that your pug doesn't eat to live; he lives to eat. This gourmand of the dog world also happens to be prone to health issues relating to his weight, so a healthy diet is all important to prevent him from developing problems.

Pug Health and Weight

Pug genetics make him prone to gaining weight, and obesity is a fairly common pug health issue. Your pug is also not the most energetic dog, so keeping weight off him takes self-control on your part, because he has none. Carrying extra weight can create a range of health issues for any dog; for the pug, it presents at least two specific problems. First, it puts his breathing under extra pressure and is connected to the airway obstruction issues common to most brachycephalic dogs. Also, the pug is the second-most at-risk breed for hip dysplasia, and keeping the pounds off is an important part of managing this condition. The same goes for arthritis and luxating patella, a condition of the knee joints.

http://pets.thenest.com/health-diet-pugs-5492.html

[Vicky loves Chachi]

Yes, it is the Hillspet canine metabolic one Karen posted the link to. Gives her 2/3 cup twice a day. Millie is 7yo and weighs 38lbs. Didn't get her height but she is pretty short. She has fatty rumors that recurr, has slight hip dysplasia, and get anal gland build up. Millie doesn't get many Xtra treats but when she does gets some, it's mostly several Cheerios or veggies. She gets very minimal exercise, quick potty walk once a day (leashes outside at other potty times). Is not crated and mostly roams the house or sleeps. My friend says when they first got Millie as a puppy they use to free feed her (fill her kibble bowl whenever it emptied). She did that for a while until they noticed she was gaining weight. Have not done that for a few years now. She admits not knowing much about pet nutrition them or now, relied on her vet for information. Her eyes are open now and wants My friend will try to increase Millie's activity by taking her on longer walks more frequently when the weather is not too cold.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, the dog is starving. This crap food contains only 255 calories per cup, so she is only getting 340 calories per day. To maintain her current weight, she would require at least 760 calories per day. I realize she needs to be getting less than that to lose some weight, but not less than half of that. That's going to slow her metabolism down, not speed it up. 

Can you tell me what she was feeding before the Rx food, so I can make some better recommendations? 

[Vicky loves Chachi]

Before Rx she was feeding her Iams, not sure what kind. She's been feeding the Rx for a year now. She has lost 5lbs since starting the Rx. She ran out of the Rx yesterday evening.. She didn't want to purchase anymore so this morning she bought Wellness Complete Health Weight Management. She gave her one cup this morning and added digestive enzymes and pumpkin purée per store clerk at Natural Pet Supply Store. Same for dinner.

Calorie Content: This food contains 3,180 kcal/kg or 325 kcal/cup

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd cut her back to 3/4 cup at each meal, and a half can of "no sodium added" green beans. Tell her to warm the beans slightly.