Over Weight Black Lab

Question
Hello, I have a female Black Lab who is 6 years old.  She weighs in at 89 lbs which makes her overweight.  She does not get that much exercise because her hips are getting bad and she limps and is in pain after too much running and ball playing...which she loves.  I hate depriving her of her play time but I feel so badly later when shes in pain.  I feed her beef Pedigree in the can because this is all she will eat and sometimes she gets people food.  She also gets Milkbone treats when she goes out and goes potty.  Would you have any recommendations on a low impact way of exercising and also a way that I may change her food to something less fattening but healthy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer
In warmer weather, swimming is great for weakened joints.  Before bad weather set in I was walking my 14 year old Lab a mile to a pond and letting her have a swim.  She doesn't fetch sticks like she used to.  In colder weather, you may have to stick to walks.  

Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest.
You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them.  Each dog is
different.  Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog
must have its food adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide,
http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx

I would switch to a dry version of the Pedigree Beef, perhaps a light or senior formula.  Past problems of her not eating were likely due to over feeding.  
The worst thing you can do is to bribe a dog with rich foods into eating more than it needs. Instead, Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have. Many dogs are quite good at holding out for tastier chow. Like kids, sometimes it calls for tough love.

There was an extensive discussion of weight in a recent newsletter from a service dog school.

''Obesity is the number one nutritional disease affecting dogs. It's estimated that 25-45% of dogs in the US are obese. Studies have shown that joint and locomotive problems increase by 57%, circulatory problems by 74%, respiratory problems by 52%, skin problems by 40% and cancer by 50% in animals that are overweight.

Large breed dogs that are overweight also are more prone to developing hip dysplasia. Obesity is especially dangerous for young puppies, as their underdeveloped frame cannot support the extra poundage that it must carry.''