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Question
I have a Lhasa-apso who is overweight and very finnicky, what is a good deitary supplement that will get him back to a proper weight?

Answer

Hi There,

Just like a person, there aren't any magic pills for dogs, when it comes to weight loss.

Your dog needs to be taken for leashed walks, for exercise. If you're in the habit of just letting your dog outside by himself instead of going for walks with your dog, this is part of the problem, as this offers very little in the way of exercise.

Since your dog is out of shape, start out slowly. Go about half a block, or whatever distance your dog can do at this point. Do this twice a day (in the summer walk in the coolest parts of the day: mornings and evenings.) Every week, go a little bit further on your walks. In hardly anytime at all, you'll see progress: your dog will be able to comfortably walk further, and you'll see his weight start to improve.  

The other part of your dog's problem is his diet. Finicky dogs aren't born, they're made to be that way by their owners. If your dog has been finicky for a while, it's going to be some time to break him of this habit, but it can be done!

Choose a quality dog food, in your dog's case it sounds like he'd benefit from a "lite" dog food. Next, measure out the correct amount of food (feeding guidelines are on the package). Feed your dog twice a day. At meal time put the food in his bowl, put the bowl on the floor, and you should leave the room. Do not stand around coaxing your dog to eat, and do not add things to your dog's food, to tempt him into eating. After 15 minutes of quiet time alone, return to the room where you feed your dog, and pick up his food bowl. Mealtime is over, even if he didn't touch his food. Do not feed your dog between meal snacks, you want him to be hungry because at the next scheduled feeding you will repeat this process. You should expect your dog not to eat for a couple of days, but this won't hurt him. A healthy dog will not starve itself. Be sure to provide your dog with fresh water at all times.  This is a battle of wills. You have effectively taught your dog to be a finicky eater, now you're training him out of it.

Extra exercise is also a great way to stimulate a dog's appetite. Your dog will be hungrier, which will help him to accept this new feeding regimen.

If you are unsure of what to look for in a healthy dog food, read more here:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=betterproducts

Between the new exercise routine, a proper diet, and cutting out between meal snacks and cutting out all human foods you might be giving your dog, you will see improvements in your dog's weight and eating habits.


Best of luck,

Patti