[valiumcheepval]

Ugh...Poor thing. I know some labs are known for gaining weight when they get older but that's more then just a little. Especially if he's being worked hard. I don't even know what I'd do in that situation since he's been told that the dog is obese..and since he's family. Hopefully someone will knock some sense into his head

[rojettafoxx]

This is my friends 110 pound husky, this is the fattest dog I know and she is almost 10 amazingly although she now has diabetes and either hip displaysia or arthitis

OMG that poor dog!!

Ugh, my ex's bully mix has a torn acl from packing obese level weight on her frame. The other one is probably messed up too by now. She's the same age as Lily, but she looks and acts two or three times her age.

[Natashasuw]

I don't know if you are referring to the OP but I know with my uncles dog the vet has said he NEEDS to lose some weight. He just doesn't listen. The amazing thing about it is-- his dog isn't neutered! Imagine if he was!

Being overweight has nothing to do with being neutered/spayed and everything to do with lazy and stupid owners.

[cauddyVab]

Being overweight has nothing to do with being neutered/spayed and everything to do with lazy and stupid owners.

Have to agree with this.

[saruxanset]

Being overweight has nothing to do with being neutered/spayed and everything to do with lazy and stupid owners.

My point was that if he was neutered it would most likely exacerbate things.

[JAMES PIETERSE]

My point was that if he was neutered it would most likely exacerbate things.

Why would that make a difference?

[Natashasuw]

Why would that make a difference?

This.

[Corryikilelet]

Because some small scale studies suggest that removing the hormones can, in some individuals, slow metabolism. If that happens and an owner notices it all they have to do is adjust feed.

Using mine as an example, Ike was neutered at age 1.5. He never gained a pound. Rita had her spay and about 3-4 months later started gaining weight with no change to her diet or her exercise. So, I knocked down her food allotment by 1/4 cup a feeding and after a few more weeks she was back in shape.

[JAMES PIETERSE]

Because some small scale studies suggest that removing the hormones can, in some individuals, slow metabolism. If that happens and an owner notices it all they have to do is adjust feed.

Using mine as an example, Ike was neutered at age 1.5. He never gained a pound. Rita had her spay and about 3-4 months later started gaining weight with no change to her diet or her exercise. So, I knocked down her food allotment by 1/4 cup a feeding and after a few more weeks she was back in shape.

That is true for some individual dogs (never seen it in any of my dogs) but saying the dog is heavy now because he's neutered or the dog isn't neutered so he shouldn't be heavy is just a cop out for a lazy owner that doesn't have a clue.

[golfmenorca]

People are ridiculous. I can't tell you how many people I know that have fat dogs and cats! It's awful. Yet, I'm told on a regular basis that my dog is starving and I should feed her more. Oh, I'm sorry. My dog may be at a good weight, but at least she shouldn't have as many arthritis issues in several years.

[PekHyvac]

I work at a hospital as well...

We have a client with a dog that is 50-60lbs over weight. Yes, seriously. The dog cannot lie lateral without going purple and it cannot stand for longer than two minutes. The owner has Parkinson's so she says she can't medicate him or walk him, but she makes him peanut butter and jelly sandwiches twice a day as well as a SLEW of other crap to eat. She has to bring him in all the time for all sorts of medical problems, but won't even talk about his weight problem. The doctors are betting that he dies of heat stroke this summer.

I can't even look at the owner it pisses me off so much. I think it's animal abuse.

[Corryikilelet]

That is true for some individual dogs (never seen it in any of my dogs) but saying the dog is heavy now because he's neutered or the dog isn't neutered so he shouldn't be heavy is just a cop out for a lazy owner that doesn't have a clue.

You'd think it would be common sense. Dog starts to gain weight, look at diet and exercise. If there's no changes like extra food or a missed walks/work-outs, then reduce food a lil. I know not everyone can be really dog savvy, but the basics are true for every species. It's not like super confusing rocket surgery.

[BDDkDvgZ]

I work at a hospital as well...

We have a client with a dog that is 50-60lbs over weight. Yes, seriously. The dog cannot lie lateral without going purple and it cannot stand for longer than two minutes. The owner has Parkinson's so she says she can't medicate him or walk him, but she makes him peanut butter and jelly sandwiches twice a day as well as a SLEW of other crap to eat. She has to bring him in all the time for all sorts of medical problems, but won't even talk about his weight problem. The doctors are betting that he dies of heat stroke this summer.

I can't even look at the owner it pisses me off so much. I think it's animal abuse.

Yes, I agree this type of thing should legally be labled as animal abuse! The law needs to step up to this lady and say "if you dont show improvement in his weight by 'x' month we will take the dog away from you and fine you/ lock you up."

[Pypeassesty]

It's really bad when you have large dogs, not only do you hear about "How small they are for a X", but you can't help but notice other people's large dogs, and be horrified. Oh and small dogs too.

My Saint Bernard is always around 110-115 pounds (she's almost 4), my Rottie (who is almost 3) just hit a new all time high of 68 pounds after I switched his food and summer hit. Which means almost all I ever hear about them is how small they are for their breed, and they have to be mixes (and Dumbass the Rottie still has his tail so that doesn't help).

I also have a Brussels Griffon. He looks like this and is about 10 pounds.



Needless to say I was horrified when a Brussels was brought into my work (grooming shop) and she looked like Taz...if his ears weren't cropped and he'd been injected with about 20 pounds of jello.

[PekHyvac]

Yes, I agree this type of thing should legally be labled as animal abuse! The law needs to step up to this lady and say "if you dont show improvement in his weight by 'x' month we will take the dog away from you and fine you/ lock you up."

Absolutely.

Proper animal care is more than general availability of food/water/shelter

[Oriesssedleli419]

about 4 days ago my mom goes " OH MY GOSH! come look at this poor dog!!!"
obviously i went running to see waht she was tlaking about. and i was pleasently suprised to see a pit bull walking past that was in great shape.

i was like "what?' my mom goes "look at that poor thing!! thats disgusting!' i was like 'what do you mean? it looks great??"
shes like 'its starving to death! you can see its ribs!" i had to sith er down and show her some of everyones pits on here and explain to her that thats there healthy weight, they were bred to be like that, to be lean.
she still doesnt completely belive me

[trettegeani]

We just brought Peanut to the vet for her eye boogers. We'd never seen this vet before so he'd never seen Peanut. He said he wished all his pet patients were in as good a shape as she is. She isn't 'conditioned', she's just not fat - a nice waist and a hint of ribs.

Fat dogs make me cranky at their owners. Especially when the people think the dog is 'just right'.