my 'pleasantly plump' dog and peoples comments

This post is useless without pics.

Seriously though. How do you know she wont be happy if she lost a little weight? As long as you keep showing her your love, she will also be happy.
My brother is putting his dog on a diet. She is normally a porker. But has slimmed down in the last few weeks. He feeds her once a day now, not twice. Will be better for her future health of course. She is still the same happy dog, or so it seems. If you put your dog on a diet, she will probably still be happy mate.

 

Here you go sir.

The little guy is 10 pounds. (Spiro)
And the big guy is 16 pounds. (Chippy)
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Cute little guys you have there.

 

From this comment I can tell you're not overweight. Yes, people make pretty damned rude comments regarding weight, even if the other is carrying only a few pounds extra.

re: dog weight, it can creep up, especially if you give them lots of treats. My cocker was overweight, and on the vet's advice we cut his food just a bit. A year later he's at his ideal levels, and he never seemed unhappy during the transition. Just a thought, but I'd rather he be happy AND stay around for a long time.

Chris, REALLY cute guys you have there. Adorable

 

I'm visualizing a bowling ball with four little legs...please post a pic of the subject in question

 

When people get torqued over other people's pet's weight, we have run out of things to worry about in this country.

I think a lot of this is a product of indoctrination from the pet food companies that sell increasingly expensive pet foods and seem to encourage the same mind set we have with the care given elderly humans.

Who cares if someones dog eats table scraps? Maybe a few less years with geriatric dog problems? Good for Fido!

 

Dogs are people too.

My little pup eats dog food, with a freaking hamburger on top twice a day!!

She is about the happiest dog in the world, isn't fat, sleeps a lot, and slobbers every chance she gets.

Because of the nature of hips and knees, especially in big dogs, controlling their weight is key to keeping them happy, we don't have to watch her wieght, she seems to self regulate it. But if I want her to live a long happy life, doggie diet is important.

Oh, she tips the scales at 150-160 lbs. Which is light for her size/breed.

Now, as to the original question. Why do people comment? Because they think they can without risk. Because they think they're trying to help and show concern, but mostly becuase they don't know how to mind their own ****ing business.

DM
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Ohhh what a good girl.

 

Holy crap.

 

Actually, those only weigh two or three pounds .......

 

Holy crap!

 

Beautiful looking dog you have there.

This is my friends Bull Mastiff/Arab. This camera phone pic was taken when he was 10 months old. Virgil is his name. He weighed 70kg (154 lbs) at that age. Now he is 4 years old, he weighs in at 90kg (198 lbs). Still very active and healthy looking dog. Does not look fat. He seems very solidly built. Dumb dog though, but very adorable.
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My sister's puppy is less then 1 year old and she already weighs over 100+ pounds. I think she told me she was 130 when I talked to her yesterday.

 

Cute little bugger she is.

 

I like chubby dogs!!! I think that shows LOTS of affection, otherwise she wouldnt be...pleasantly plump cute pooch really!

 

You've got a beautiful English Mastiff. I've got a pair of Newfoundlands that I absolutely adore. As you have mentioned, weight is very important to the health of giant breeds. Buster tips the scales at about 170 lbs, stands 34" at the shoulder and enjoys life. Bailey is 6 months old and weighs in around 70 lbs. She won't reach Buster's size, but she'll probably get up around 130-140 lbs. Bailey helps keep Buster active and healthy.

 

You're right that the general public is rude/inconsiderate. I don't have the right to tell you how to raise your dog, but I do have an opinion that I'll try to voice in the most diplomatic/helpful way that I can.

You think that overfeeding your dog and underexercising her makes her happy. I disagree, because she's not able to run and play in the way an otherwise healthy dog would. Your dog doesn't have the same emotional attachment to food that humans do, so she's not going to fall into depression if you put her on a diet. You also say that you'd rather have a short time with a happy content dog, but I really think you'll change your mind when/if she develops severe health problems due to her weight and you have to decide to put her down.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, but I honestly feel like you are making excuses for allowing your dog to remain overweight. You're justifying the dog's condition to yourself, but it's not healthy for your dog and isn't adding anything to her quality of life. Don't feel like you're being mean to your dog by feeding her a proper diet. You're not hurting her in any way, shape or form. You'll help her to enjoy a happy, healthy life that will mean a lot more to your dog than extra treats could ever provide.

 

The difference is that YOU control how much your dog eats, not your dog.

Why would you think your dog is happier because he is overfed? If you give him more than what you should, the dog will eat whatever you give him, and then start expecting it. There is absolutely no reason for a pet to be overweight unless it is due to a medical abnormality.

 

I'm not here to judge, mearly share my own experiences. Rocco is 15months and he gets 1.5 cups of dog food, twice daily. Some might feel that I'm not feeding him enough, but that's not the case. He gets as much food as he needs...and that's it. He visits his Vet regularly, and they say his weight is good.

As far as people making comments, I'm still not able to figure out what it is that makes people think I care what they have to say! Ignore them....as long as your happy, and your dog is happy, that's all that really matters.
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This is exactly correct. Fat animals are not "happy". They don't have the same body image or other psychological issues that overweight people may have, but their health and physical wellbeing suffer. I agree that random people who accost you and make unpleasant comments about you're pet's weight need to mind their own business, but I have seen many animals quality of life improve dramatically with weight loss. Ask anyone you know with type II diabetes, joint prolems, and heat disease if they're happy about their health.
All I'm suggesting is that if you're vet says the dog needs to lose weight, then the dog will feel better and be "happier" overall if she loses weight. As an aside, dogs, like essentially any animal that has been studied, live longer on a calorie restricted diet. Furthermore and contrary to conventional wisdom, these animals live longer and have a proportionally SHORTER period of disability and decline at the end of their lives.

 

LOL...ok, in all seriousness, from one dog lover to another:

To echo what the others have said, you already know what makes a dog happy and content: your company and love/affection. Within 6-9 months of less (and maybe different) food and more exercise, she will lose weight, feel better, enjoy a higher quality of life and a longer lifespan. She will still be happy and content...maybe even more so.

 

Wow that's a nice boxer!!! Love those dogs


To the OP, f'k em.

 

I have to look after a friends dog while he is on holidays for 3 weeks. He just came over and told me that she is overweight and they are starting her diet today. Half a can of dog food, not a full can anymore. I will take a pic of her in the next few days. She is only a pup still.