8 months old female 120 lbs - Page 1

I am disgusted.  Due to unforeseen circumstances I had to take back 2 dogs I bred.  The female is a Voodoo Hartis Bohemia/Violka Anrebri daughter.  When I arrived to pick up the dogs I could not believe my eyes.  This poor girl is SO FAT she can barely run.  The male is also obese but not nearly as bad as the female.  I have NEVER seen a GSD this obese.  She is at least 50 lbs overweight.

Now, what are your recommendations on diet?  I know they must have let her free feed.  I want to do it slow and easy.....

Oh my God. I'd be furious. Her poor joints. Was this the first you'd seen of them since you sold them?

What do you normally feed?

I have always slimmed them down quickly but steadily w/raw. No excess calories, all highly digestible, so they're getting maximum nutrients w/minimal calories. The other option is just a cup to a cup and a half of really good grain free kibble (Orijen, etc.). I have never had one that fat though. If she's otherwise healthy, which at 8 mos. she should be, then I wouldn't be that concerned w/the speed in which the weight comes off as long as she's getting accurate nutrients. I would be more concerned w/strenuous exercise w/ a dog that badly out of shape. 

How disgusting. 

That is insane! Here I figured at first glance this was another one of those Giant Shepherd breeders' posts, but with lines like that... poor dogs!

 

I guess the only thing I can contribute with is that our vet says if they're whining for food and such you can feed them green beans if they've already eaten their food. Apparently green beans are 0 calories, so they'll fill them up, but you don't have to worry about them gaining weight off of it.

Thank you for replies.  I have never been faced with a situation like this.  I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.

I"m sure that with your knowledge you will get them on track, but a tablespoon of vineger, poured onto the food daily(might have spelled that wrong), will help burn fat inside the stomach wall.

If you can try to use water exercise to help take the weight off as well.  Might help get her moving without further straining joints.

Unfortunately I have seen a young GSD allowed to be this fat before.  Diet and water treadmill managed to pull off 20lbs and the change in attitude was amazing.

Post some pictures.

If you are feeding kibble, I would feed 1 cup a day, once a day, the dog has no idea how much food they are getting, only that they ate.

She will not starve, and it will change her metabolism!

RLHAR I've seen a site that sells those water treadmills, no price was listed though.....Do you know how much they are? I've considered getting one for the upcoming summer days (since I have no pool, nor can I swim) for some of the days when it's too hot for the dogs to go walking outside if I get off of work during the mid afternoon.

Bhall I'm definitely wanting to see pictures as well. There was a Shepherd that came to me two years ago for rehoming. She was extremely fat, and the general public thought she looked normal!!  This dog was so slow running, she weighed a solid 95 lbs.  By the time she left here I had her down to about 70, she looked lean, but not too lean, and in good health.  Her owner was a little too treat/human food happy.  

I would be furious (at first then relieved that I got her out of there....) - BUT if I had to choose the lesser of two evils I'd rather see obese then emaciated and nearly staved to death.  Good luck getting her back in to shape.  Would be cool to see some before, during & after photos.