How many calories for an over-weight beagle?

Question
Hi Catherine,

After reading your excellent answer to another post about an over-weight beagle, I would like to ask you specifically about our beagle Macy.

Macy is an 8 yr old 15" beagle and is severely overweight... nearly 60 pounds. Macy's weight has been a problem for some time and continues to get gradually worse. Despite going for walks every/other night, she has continued to gain weight. Now, we are temporarily living on a farm while we build a house in the city and as such hasn't been going for regular walks. I figured since she had 'the run of the farm' she would get enough exercise snooping. Obviously this isn't the case. She has been on Hill's Science Diet R/D (weight loss) 3/4 to 1 cup twice per day. Macy gets very few treats (although I can't say that she does not get ANY treats). Macy has also been tested for cushings disease (negative).

We are wondering if we could cook her home-cooked food whereby we could monitor the caloric intake and nutritional value of her food. I am skeptical as to the quality and weight loss statements made by the various dog food brands... including the vet recommended Hill's since it seems to have done very little to reduce her weight.

Hill's is also very expensive... approaching $100 where we live for the large bag (I forget the KG size). Since we are willing to pay this premium for the health of our dog, it got us wondering- could we not cook her healthy low cal meals with wholesome ingredients that would be better than a dog kibble?

From some brief and basic information from the vet I have been told that 40% protein 30% grains 30% vegetables would be a good starting point. What are your thoughts on this?

Is it feasible for us to feed Macy nutritious home-cooked food? i.e. chicken breast/brown rice/peas and carrots chopped up?

If so, given her size and activity level (very little) what would be her caloric intake?

Thank you sooo much for any advice you can provide!!!

Best regards,

BRad Meyer  

Answer
Hi Brad,

Wow, a lot to cover here but i will give it a whirl. The Hill's R/D is 242 calories a cup so you are feeding a maximum (if you sue the full cup) of 484,let's say 500 calories a day, sometimes less, if you use  3/4, and with treats, let's say an average of 600 a day? That's about right to sustain the eight of a moderately active 20 pound dog. Clearly, something is going on here.  I would highly recommend you have your vet do a full panel thyroid test sent to Dr. Jean Dodds for analysis, because this sounds a lot like thyroid to me. Your dog cannot be safely calorically reduced past this level and meet nutrient requirements.

ESSENTIAL:  http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM

As for cooking her food, I HIGHLY recommend home made diet for all seriously overweight dogs, and for many reasons. However - that said, I feel it needs to be carefully formulated, with all nutrient requirements covered (and probably boosted in your dog's case, as longterm underfeeding may have depleted tissue reserves of some nutrient). I hate to be blunt but the formula you mention above makes no sense; protein is a nutrient and  grains/veggies are foods. Nutrient percentages of total energy are grouped as fat, protein and carbohydrate. For a senior overweight beagle I'd be looking at 35% protein, 35% fat, 30% carb as a starting point.  carbs are often what packs on the pounds, but I'd need to look the profile over to make sure the fat/protein levels are ok. 35% is great, but if the dog has a history of liver or kidney or other issues we need to be more conservative. hence I recommend a thorough veterinary check up including that thyroid test, and then a consultation to personalize the diet for Macy.

Generally speaking again I would stsrt her on a similar caloric level or even a little higher then what you have been feeding; lowering energy intake TOO radically can backfire and slow metabolism. I'd use much more bioavailable protein and lower carb than the Hill's, and have you add supplements for inflammation and joint support while gradually increasing exercise. And we monitor as we go.
But that's entirely up to you; if you wish to consult please see my site at www.thepossiblecanine.com and let me know via email if you'd like to discuss this more.
If you would like to stick with commercial diet I can make some suggestions too that might be helpful. Let me know!


Best of luck, I know this is a very challenging issue!
Catherine