Weightloss Help

[GeorgieB]

Hi everyone :D

My parents have a Shih Tzu x Maltese around 10 years old I think, who needs to lose a bit of weight and I hope its okay if I asked some questions here to try and help them (and her)

Miffy has recently been to the vet to have a teeth clean and some teeth pulled out, and was xrayed as she has been limping recently. The vet said her hips are not fantastic but not too bad, but she has arthritis in her hocks. I believe shes been put on some anti inflammatories and the vet also suggested she lose a bit of weight. (I've been "suggesting" this for some time now ;) ) I am told she currently weighs 5.8kg

Anyway I was hoping someone might have some suggestions as to how much these types of dogs should eat a day. Obviously its probably quite different from dog to dog and being a cross its different again. but at the moment she is obviously getting way too much so maybe a ballpark figure?

She eats I think Optiumum Dry and chicken wingettes.

Should her food be reduced to what she should be eating or even less to help move the weight off quicker?

Miffy also has a tendency to ask for food if shes hungry, will this tend to stop as her stomach shrinks? I've suggested they just ignore her when she does this and not give in to her..

This is an old photo, I dont live near my parents so no recent ones.

Thanks guys

[Nekhbet]

Miffy asking for food will be more habitual and them giving snacks so she keeps begging.

with a dog that small I would be tempted to switch to raw, roo mince, some boiled rice and veges to fill it out and some chicken wings to keep her going in between feeds. Feed once in the morning then wing to chew in the arvo.

[Stitch]

Don't some premium dog foods have 'weight loss formulas' in their range???

If so, why not just get your parent to switch over to that instead of what they are currently feeding??

Plus feed less of the other foods they are giving the dog, this includes treats too - oh, and take the dog for more walks!!

Same as us - if we eat less and exercise more we lose weight - and if you have arthritis you have to exercise or you get stiffer!!

[GeorgieB]

Thanks guys. Both good ideas I will pass them on!

She actually doesn't get many snacks which is good, its more when they cut back her food she asks for more, which is understandable I guess, I would too I imagine this will drop back once she gets used to her new diet.

And yes more walks have been added to her routine

If anyone with similar size/type dogs could share how much their dogs get a day I would like to pass that on to my parents too just to show that they really are only small dogs and do only need a small amount of food. I think quite a few people misjudge just how tiny their stomachs are.

Cheers