Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have a tripod Lab that weighed 83 lbs. when we got him from a Lab Rescue 9 months ago. The foster that had him before me was giving him a salmon based dry food from Costco. I continued, because he liked the food. He was malnourished before the foster got him, which might be why this food was chosen - to gain weight. He now weighs 89 lbs. The bag says for adult dogs to give him about 5 cups per day (not sure how much the foster gave him). I don't give him nearly that much because we want him to lose weight down to 80 lbs. I give him 3 cups per day plus some frozen green beans for filler, but he is still gaining - not sure why. I think this food might not be the right food for him, since he is obviously not as energetic as a normal lab. Should I be getting food more for a senior dog? He is 5 and he had his amputation surgery less than a year ago. In any case, I'm looking for a dry food that will give him good nutrition and lose weight at the same time. Any help out there? Wellness???
Thanks.
Sutton
Hi Sutton and Labbie (what's your name kiddo?). Welcome! Glad you posted this is a great question. You definitely want to keep a Tripawd slimmer than other dogs. Since one pound of fat on a dog is the same as five on a human, every ounce really makes a difference.
Feeding guidelines on pet food are just that; guidelines. Every dog is different and the amount to feed really depends on their energy level and specific nutrition needs. While there are different formulations for different needs, it sounds like your dog isn't quite ready for a senior food yet, 5 is still pretty young. Sure sounds like your pup needs his food adjusted and you definitely want to talk to your vet first.
Have you seen our Tripawds Nutrition blog ? Keep an eye on that one, we typically post information like these weight control and diet articles. Here's one that's especially helpful:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You may also want to consider having your vet run blood work to check the function of the thyroid.
We were always being told by our vets that Leland needed to lose weight (he was a 108 lb Dobie boy). He only received 3/4 of a cup of dry food in the morning and evening with some grilled meat (chicken or steak) mixed in. And I fed him a premium dry food without grains. We were told he was too young for thyroid issues (he was 4 1/2 years old when we let him go). So the surgeon ran blood work to check his organ functions prior to surgery and come to find out Leland had hypothyroidism (low functioning thyroid). The surgeon started him on medication to manage the thyroid issue to get it functioning better before going into surgery.
I was so upset that I'd pretty much been denying my baby food for years because vets thought he was too young to have a thyroid problem. If you've been cutting back your boy's food and he's still gaining weight please consider having his thyroid function checked.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Nice to meet you Gatsby!
And thanks for the great suggestion Sahana. Never having gone through thyroid issues it didn't even occur to us to recommend this type of screening. I'll try to put that in my brain for next time.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey guys! Thought I'd put my two cents in as well 
I definitely agree in getting some blood work done, especially thyroid, very common problem that's easily managed.
I'm trying to keep Domino on the slim side, at his last check up he was told he could shed a pound or two. So I switched him to a healthy weight formula, he's getting the same amount of food, but less calories. So if you do switch, make sure to pay attention to the kcal/cup, should be on the bag near the guaranteed analysis. Domino is currently eating Nature's Recipe Adult Healthy Weight Chicken Barely and Rice. It's got about 298 kcal/cup which is pretty average for a healthy weight food.
I'd say a trip to the vet for a good check up, blood work, and get some food recommendations from them. Just to make sure there isn't an underlying problem.
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
I am actually facing the same problem. My Quadpaw Chandler is a tad, ok a good bit overweight. I had cut back his food and he had lost 9 pounds. When we went back 6 weeks later, he had gained 7 of it back. For one thing, I am questioning if he had actually lost that much or if he was sitting differently on the scales. I was told to cut back his food by another 1/2 cup per feeding and if he still keeps gaining, he has to have a thyroid panel run. I want him thinner because he is almost 12 and he has some trouble getting up and down. I want him with me for as long as possible. He gets 1 cup Earthborn Primitive mixed with a bit of Merrick beef or buffalo twice a day. I also give him Dasuquin and fish oil. I had been giving him coconut oil, but thought that may have contributed to the weight. I have also cut way back on any treats. A peanut butter Kong is a rare treat now. I need to check on the calorie count of his dry food. Vet also said to measure accurately for every meal. I am pretty fortunate with Daryl, he is not at all food motivated. The other 2 live for their meals. Lori, Ty & the gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Oh my, took a bit of checking since it is not listed on the bag, but Earthborn Primitive Holistic contains like 445 k calories per cup. Oye! I either need to really ration it or find a new food. Ugg, he is so allergic to everything. This actually worked. At least I know what some of the problem may be.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Jasper's food is about 650 calories per cup (mostly protein). I figured out she needs about 629 calories per day (I wish I could do that ... I would be little... but I digress). So I give her 3/4 a cup of food - 1/4 in the a.m. and 1/2 at night. In the morning she gets 1/2 a hard boiled egg. For dinner she gets green beans and pumpkin - low cal and filling. She's actually lost a pound since we started this routine. She's 18 pounds ... would love to keep her there.
Hope this helps. With Shelby I also used to use 'fillers' like veggies ... thankfully Jasper LOVES spinach and other green leafy veggies so I can pack her food with lots of fillers!
PS - Jasper is a quadpawd but Shelby was a tripawd and I tried to keep her leanish.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Our dog, Leah, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 5 or so years ago and at the time weighed 106 lbs! We obviously learned a lot and needed to make some changes. We used Science Diet r/d to get her to an ideal weight and then fed Science Diet Light Large Breed. All food was measured. We have been able to maintain her weight at around 72 - 75 lbs.
That worked until she tore her cranial cruciate ligament - and we started feeding Science Diet j/d for joints and mobility. We didn't feed as much of this, since its kilocalories were much higher. But we still were able to find the right amount to maintain her weight.
No more junk food treats - she gets carrots, zucchini/squash, and small amounts of peanut butter for snacks. I couldn't believe that she would eat veggies, too - but she loves raw squash.
With Leah's recent PAHS diagnosis and amputation surgery this week, we are glad her weight was one thing we had under control. She's now about 68 lbs.
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