Boxer's Big Appetite

[bluemtnfriend]

After years of living with a 12 lb. Jack Russell who only liked to eat things she shouldn't. we are now at the mercy of an 85 pound boxer. Rudy has just drug me away from the computer with his pitiful crying because his dish was emply.

He's only supposed to get 4 cups of dog food a day. We feed a him Science Diet so I know he's not malnourished but I let him have just alittle more.

He's two years old and very active but I really don't want him to get fat.
Any suggestions?

 

[Will B]

Boxers are not far removed from Bullmastiffs. He should just be finishing a good large breed puppy food. Make sure you feed him something like Iams or Eukanuba large breed food. Yes...Boxers are large breeds.

A dog's weight can go out of control quickly. Don't give in to the whining and stick to the plan. Also, use a real measuring cup. That comes straight from my vet. Being overweight is really harmful for a dog.

Keep him under control. He'll adjust!

 

[Deli Love]

I have 2 Boxers between 5 and 6 years old. They eat Kibbles and Bits twice a day and are happy healthy active Dogs. Baby lived to be almost 12 years old and never ate anything else. We don't feed them people food and treats are never over done, about the only deviation from the norm is that Sugar will eat the cat's food if we don't watch him but then Ernie eats his Kibbles and Bits as pay back. LOL!
I should add that all three of my boys have soft shinny coats and good teeth. Baby still looked good the morning he laid down and went to sleep for the last time. He was about 85 pounds at his prime. Sugar and Trouble are 65 and 80 pounds.

 

[Teresa Cline]

After years of living with a 12 lb. Jack Russell who only liked to eat things she shouldn't. we are now at the mercy of an 85 pound boxer. Rudy has just drug me away from the computer with his pitiful crying because his dish was emply.

He's only supposed to get 4 cups of dog food a day. We feed a him Science Diet so I know he's not malnourished but I let him have just alittle more.

He's two years old and very active but I really don't want him to get fat.
Any suggestions?

He could be malnourished,,,,,Science Diet is rated VERY LOW in the dog food analysis comparisons. I know your vet sells it, that does NOT mean its good.
you decide, but do your dog a favor and really look at whats in dog food.
Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble

another suggestion> "Life's Abundance " dog kibbles (if you really must feed kibble)
and when you buy it through Alaqua Animal Refuge's link they do get a small percentage. This is a small Florida company who produces it...I don't feed Kibble daily but I have it around for those times when I am out of time.

Alaqua Pet Care

 

[Teresa Cline]

FYI>LOOK AT THE FIRST INGREDIENT IN SCIENCE DIET ADULT=CORN MEAL,
corn is one of the worst things you can feed a dog.
>chicken by-product meal<..you dont EVEN want to know what this is!


Corn meal, chicken by-product meal (including white meat, dark meat, liver and other internal organs), animal fat (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), dried beet pulp, vegetable oil, dried egg product, flaxseed, preserved with BHT and BHA, minerals (potassium chloride, iodized salt, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), vitamins (choline chloride, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, thiamine, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement).

 

[SneakyPete]

I agree with T.Cline. When I worked with shelter dogs and rescues, I encouraged "my" adopters to buy the best food they could afford. Unlike people, who eat a variety of foods, dogs get all of their nutrition from their kibble. If I eat onion rings and a milkshake on Monday, I can make up for that nutritional abomination by eating nutritionally the rest of the week. Dogs can't do that, so what you feed them NEEDS to be high quality.

If you an afford a GREAT dog food -- a meat/veggie no grain formula -- buy it. Orijen and Merricks Before Grain come to mind, but there are others.

If you can only afford a GOOD dog food -- a dog food that has no corn, soy or wheat -- buy that.

If you can only afford an OKAY dog food -- a dog food that contains some corn or soy or wheat -- then make sure those ingredients are not listed in the top three ingredient list.

As you budget, remember to look at the "per serving" cost per bag -- not just the cost per bag. A large dog that needs to be fed 8 cups of Ol'Roy, might only need be fed 3 cups of a brand that is more nutritionally dense.

Not everyone can realistically afford to feed the super premium brands, but with four dogs feeding super premium saves me in the long run on vet bills, and I really like the fact that my house doesn't smell like dog, and my yard isn't full of vile-smelling, soft piles of poo. Just small, neutral smelling balls that are easily picked up.

Other feeding tips:
Don't free feed. Feed your dog twice a day (split the daily food allowance into two portions) and feed at fairly regular time.

If your dog is gulping food down, spead it out on a cookie sheet so that it will take him more time to eat it. There are also various "treat ball" products where you put the food into it and your dog is supposed to play/manupulate it to make the food come out. VERY entertaining for a highly-focused puppy or dog.

Your vet can give you guidelines on your pet's ideal weight, but in general, when you look at your dog from the top, you should see a clear narrowing where the rib cage ends and the stomach area begins. You shouldn't see a uniform sausage shape. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs but not see them. It's not easy to keep some dogs at an ideal weight -- my oldest female has some weight issues and it's hard to give her her meagre portion of food and think that's enough. But I keep working on it!!

 

[bluemtnfriend]

He could be malnourished,,,,,Science Diet is rated VERY LOW in the dog food analysis comparisons. I know your vet sells it, that does NOT mean its good.
you decide, but do your dog a favor and really look at whats in dog food.
Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble

another suggestion> "Life's Abundance " dog kibbles (if you really must feed kibble)
and when you buy it through Alaqua Animal Refuge's link they do get a small percentage. This is a small Florida company who produces it...I don't feed Kibble daily but I have it around for those times when I am out of time.

Alaqua Pet Care

I did not know that about Science Diet. We thought we were doing good for Rudy. We live in a very small town but I will go to Pet Smart next week. I velieve they will have Eukanuba.

 

[bluemtnfriend]

And thanks to all who replied to my post. We are really nuts about this dog and want him to live a good healthy life as long as possible. I wish I could post a picture. Everyone who sees him says "oh what a face". His black mask looks like a sad clown and the rest of his coat is bright fawn with flashy white marking.

 

[Teresa Cline]

please do a google search about pet food recalls b/c I think Eukanuba has been on the list several times.

And thanks to all who replied to my post. We are really nuts about this dog and want him to live a good healthy life as long as possible. I wish I could post a picture. Everyone who sees him says "oh what a face". His black mask looks like a sad clown and the rest of his coat is bright fawn with flashy white marking.

 

[scooterbug44]

Just because he wants something in his dish doesn't mean he needs food or is hungry, so ask your vet.

Both the Scooterhounds have eating disorders - Jeffy will only eat when someone is in the room w/ him, Greta will bug you incessantly for her food or post-meal biscuit and then leave it uneaten for hours - we think because she didn't always get enough/fed regularly (rescue dog).