Doggie Boot Camp Tips?

My pug is not just chubby anymore, he's obese. My other dog has to eat four small meals a day, and the pug looks at me like I'm a monster when he doesn't get a brunch and a lunch.

He snores, he has sleep apnea. He can't walk 20 yards without huffing and puffing. He's got arthritis. He has to lose weight.

I put him on a strict diet, I felt like it was a deprivation diet -- major guilt. He lost a whopping .6 lbs. in a month. I know I have to find a way to exercise him, but between the fat and the arthritis, I'm at a loss. Has anyone ever found themselves in a similar situation with a senior pet? I'd love any tips!

Just a thought, could you maybe break up his regular meal into 4 smaller meals. Take what he usually eats in one meal and then just divide it up, and he could eat when the other doggie does?

Good luck Punzy!!!!!

Does he like to swim? Might be a way to exercise him with less joint stress.

As far as his eating - you just HAVE to keep him on his diet - whether it's by giving a tiny treat when the other dog eats or splitting up his meals so he doesn't feel deprived.

I'd ask the vet for pointers/tricks too.

I too have a pug. I got him when he was 9 months old. I was warned that they do like to sleep 15 hours a day, and eat the rest.

From the very start, we cut his food servings into 2, sometimes 3 portions. He is still only getting 1 serving a day, but eating more often. So far, knock on wood, we have keep him to a svelte 18 pounds, but that seems to be creeping up a pound or 2 a year.

Also, check with your vet, I know there are a number of "weight control" pet foods on the market right now. Avoid high cereal filler foods.

Good luck, there is nothing harder than helping a pet loose weight.

I wish someone would walk me and cut my portions (break my beer up into three or four servings a day). I'd be back to competitive shape in no time. :funn:

I'd try the weight control kibble and more short walks. Shyann actually prefers the new kibble over the old. Maybe you and Pat can go for a short walk when it's time for the other pup to eat. That way he's distracted and tired when he comes back in.

My cat is now almost 14 years old (I know different animal), but at his age I prefer him to just be happy, if that means a little fat so be it. If it is a health issue then I would speak with the vet. Perhaps a food substitute that doesn't have as many calories? Kinda like doggy rice cakes? He might like those too.



Just please no doggy gastric bypass:

Canine electric muscle stimulation. If anyone makes $ off the idea you know where to find me. I'm a Visionary not an implementation guy.

I wish someone would walk me and cut my portions (break my beer up into three or four servings a day). I'd be back to competitive shape in no time. :funn:

I'm with ya, bmr.

Canine electric muscle stimulation. If anyone makes $ off the idea you know where to find me. I'm a Visionary not an implementation guy.

Canine electric muscle stimulation. If anyone makes $ off the idea you know where to find me. I'm a Visionary not an implementation guy.

That would probably require shaving and boy is it not pretty.

I've seen an overweight dog on a treadmill before. But that might be a little difficult for a pug. But I think swimming would be a good idea also.

you could just give in like my parents did...
i sit on the couch all day and play video games, maybe do some physics, it seems to work for me..accept the fact that he is obese... 30 percent of america is.. just wait to see how fat "Bo Jackson" gets.. kimmis gonna give him so many scraps the poor thing MIGHT make it to live to be 4..

Vegetables, Punzy!!! Either boiled or fresh. Pugs are eating machines but the "hungry look" is exactly that. It's all an act. Don't fall for the guilt trip! Slip that boy a few carrots and tell him it's all for his own good.

Vegetables, Punzy!!! Either boiled or fresh. Pugs are eating machines but the "hungry look" is exactly that. It's all an act. Don't fall for the guilt trip! Slip that boy a few carrots and tell him it's all for his own good.

Tough Mermy love! I love it!

Tough Mermy love! I love it!

Heck! I only know this because my sister has a whole herd of pugs.

Will they let Pugs go to yoga with you?

I've only had fat cats and was convinced they all had thyroid problems. :roll:
Well, actually Roobie cat did have one, and got up to 24 lbs at his heaviest. After we got his thyroid unit working right, I played quite a bit with him, in the am and pm on a schedule. Time consuming, but it helped. Gave him lots of water and finally found a diet food he liked. He got down to 16 lbs eventually. It took a while, and I definitely had the guilts, but breaking the portions into 3-4 a day helped with that. I know it's hard when they look at you with that wimpy, don't you love me look.

Maybe some warm compresses on his arthritic limbs to help limber him up before light exercise?

Will they let Pugs go to yoga with you?

I've only had fat cats and was convinced they all had thyroid problems. :roll:
Well, actually Roobie cat did have one, and got up to 24 lbs at his heaviest. After we got his thyroid unit working right, I played quite a bit with him, in the am and pm on a schedule. Time consuming, but it helped. Gave him lots of water and finally found a diet food he liked. He got down to 16 lbs eventually. It took a while, and I definitely had the guilts, but breaking the portions into 3-4 a day helped with that. I know it's hard when they look at you with that wimpy, don't you love me look.

Maybe some warm compresses on his arthritic limbs to help limber him up before light exercise?

I almost piddled myself when I found this site http://pugyoga.blogspot.com/. :funn:


Down dog position.

Mango, on the cats if they are male and fixed they have a tendency to have enlarged breasts. Due to the lack of hormones. A lot of people confuse this with being fat. ;-)

I almost piddled myself when I found this site http://pugyoga.blogspot.com/. :funn:


Down dog position.

Mango, on the cats if they are male and fixed they have a tendency to have enlarged breasts. Due to the lack of hormones. A lot of people confuse this with being fat. ;-)

That angle is not pretty.

That angle is not pretty.

Most yoga isn't. ;-)

That would probably require shaving and boy is it not pretty.

OMG! That made me laugh so hard I cried! It's a naked Buddha Belly!

Thanks for that!

I think swimming is a really good idea. He gets winded so easily when I try to walk with him...then I end up carrying his lazy bottom back.

Now, does anyone know where I can get a hard plastic baby pool?

OMG! I just saw the yoga, too! He does that!

Unfortunately wally world is probably your best bet. Although some of the local Ace Hardwares might have them too. Target is close to you guys too, I'd try there.

P.S. I dare you to call the Destin Plastic Surgery Center and ask about doggy lypo.

One other suggestion I would have is mix some water in w/the kibble...this will slow down his eating and give him that 'full' feeling faster, so you can lower his calories per serving. Your vet could probably recommend a specific food that may help him lose the weight faster. Good luck....and great pics in this thread btw!:funn:

I know! I know......
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Ballet classes!

I know! I know......
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Ballet classes!

I dont think Patrick will be wearing that. And it is PINK!

I dont think Patrick will be wearing that. And it is PINK!

So which Patrick are we discussing?

I'm sure if it means he can continue eating he'll gladly oblige. It's a bad habit and has other negative health effects, but there is the oldest trick in the book:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiesMOYIalc"]YouTube - my pug smoking !!!![/ame]

My puppy likes broccoli and carrots, but not dog food. Weird, I know. Maybe you can try substituting those for one of his meals.