Lab puppy too fat?

Discussion in 'Labrador Puppies' started by JulieT, Jun 16, 2013.

  1. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Hello – I’m new and would value your comments and advice on a point. I’ve learned a lot from reading the site and forums, so thank you.

    I have a 4 month old puppy called Charlie. He is lovely. Seems very healthy and bright and approaches everything in life with great enthusiasm. I don’t have any general worries about him – but I am worried about keeping him at the right weight.

    I have had a (black) Labrador before, many, many years ago, when I was a kid – and my mum did all the work and worrying. That Labrador was from a big farm in North Yorkshire and I guess he was from "working lines". Charlie is from “show” parents and is definitely a really, really, chunky (chocolate) boy in comparison.

    I feed Charlie on Royal Canin kibble which is what the breeder used and he gets loads and loads of treats – at puppy class clicker training, for walking without pulling, for peeing and pooing outside. I try to estimate the treats and deduct from his kibble meal allowance, but my husband says I’m far too generous with the treats and Charlie is as crafty as anything about wheedling more out of me. Plus, I don’t really know how much kibble to deduct for a half a handful of chicken used, for example, during park or beach "come when called" practice (where kibble just won’t cut it). Should it be about the same weight chicken for kibble?

    At 4 months, Charlie is the same weight (17kg) now as the girl puppy that the breeder kept for herself. The breeder says that based on his mum and dad, she would guess Charlie will end up weighing, when he is grown, about 35kg. Charlie’s uncle (at 11 months) weighs 36kg.

    Charlie has a “waist” when viewed from above, and I can feel his ribs ok (but can't say I can see them at all!) – but he just looks really, really chunky and he has such a tummy on him! It makes him look like he “waddles” a bit when he walks. I’ve pointed this out to the vet and the vet said “well, puppies are often shaped like that”. Plus, Charlie has lots loose folds on him, like he needs to grow into his skin, which I guess is what some people call “puppy fat”.

    The vet says he is not too fat and is fine, and the vet nurse says the same. But the vet also says that “it’s hard to over feed them at this age”. Which I’m not sure is entirely right? From what I’ve read on this site (I’ve been lurking around, reading your posts, and learning things from you all), I should be careful from the start that he doesn’t get too heavy?

    Is there anything else I can do to check that he is not overweight?

    Many thanks for reading what is probably too much information, and thank you in advance for any comments you are kind enough to give.

    JulieT
    I have tried to attach a picture…(the one on the sofa shows the "puppy fat" along his back and his big tummy)
     

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  2. pippa@labforumHQ

    pippa@labforumHQ Administrator

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Hi Julie,
    Welcome to the forums :D

    It is difficult to be sure from the photos (do you have one that shows all of Charlie from the side? ) but I doubt if he is too fat. Vets are usually pretty quick to say if they think you are overfeeding, as they get fed up with seeing so many obese dogs.

    If you think he is just a bit chubby, don't increase his food just yet, and see how he 'grows into his skin' :D You can always increase portions later if he gets too lanky.

    You have a lot of leeway here, and can tweak things as you go. If you feel his is getting a bit too plump, just cut back his food by about a third for a few days and see how he looks.

    You won't go far wrong because you are aware of the potential problem. Most people with fat puppies have no idea that there is anything wrong. :D

    Pippa
     
  3. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    He's just gorgeous!!!! What an advert for adorable chocolate labs :D

    Riley had a tummy when he was little but he's grown into a very slim dog. I'm just trying to feed him up now as I think he's a bit too thin. I could definitely feel his backbone so lots of yummy treats for him. He thinks it's his birthday and Christmas all rolled into one!

    Things will change as he goes through growth spurts but as you're watching out for his weight you won't go far wrong :) enjoy your lovely little one.
     
  4. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Thanks so much for the reply - much appreciated. I read "Total Recall" and we try to follow it - Charlie came back to us on the beach yesterday, away from a small boy, with a puppy and a frisbee! Yay! (and got a hand full of fattening treats as a reward....)

    I've attached what pictures I have - I've got 1000s of course, but don't have many "side shots" - have got the front and back separately, which is no doubt hopeless and no good at all.

    I think I'll be ultra careful weighing out the the treats for a bit. Otherwise, if the podge continues to grow, we'll have to find a "gun dog boot camp" for him - which no doubt doesn't involve long sofa snoozes and tummy rubs, so will be somewhat of a shock for him. :)

    Best

    JulieT
     

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  5. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    He is definitely chunky, but I would say from that last photo it is more his build than him being overweight. But it won't do him any harm to stay slim, especially with his heavy bone structure.
     
  6. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Oh Julie, he is quite lovely :) If you can see a definate waist when standing over him and can feel ribs, then thats really great . Show stock seem to be more chunky and heavily built than working stock, but he looks fine to me :)
     
  7. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Thanks all - it feels good to have asked more experienced people about this. I'll definitely keep a close eye on the treats, and not increase the meal kibble just yet, and see how he looks in a week or two.
     
  8. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    He looks gorgeous :) :)
    We are very weight conscious as Lilly has bad hips, and 99% of the time weigh her food rather than guesstimate it.
    When we saw the orthopaedic specialist at around a year old he told us to reduce her feed by about a third. At that point we were following pack instructions.
    We thought this was quite drastic but she didn't bat an eyelid, and now at 25 kg is slim and healthy.
    I guess my tip would be to be acurate weighing food, and not to worry about cutting it down if the podge sets in.
    I think Charlie looks gorgeous (did I say that ? ;D )

    Jac
     
  9. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Thanks - I took some photos from the side but can't figure out how to attach them - I think he was sucking his tummy in anyway because when I look at them he didn't look too fat after all! But I'll weigh carefully to make sure I'm not overdoing the treats, and if he looks podgy by the time he is due to be weighed at the vet's for his next worming tablet, I'll check with the nurse about whether I should cut everything down by a 3rd (also don't want him not to have enough food to do all the growing he needs to do - but from the replies, I guess that's not as big a worry as the pup being too heavy).
     
  10. lynnelogan

    lynnelogan Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    i do think your vet would know best....all labs are different....my little man is a big guy
     
  11. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    And mine is a relative wraith ;D

    Jac
     
  12. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Well, yes - but I'm sure all vets are different too.... and I thought he dismissed my questions a bit too quickly with "it's difficult to over feed at this age" - that's not what others say. Plus, the next thing he said was "when shall I book him in to be castrated?" which I also thought dismissed any questions I might have before I'd even had a chance to think about asking them!

    Could try another vet of course!
     
  13. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    [quote author=JulieT link=topic=1729.msg13045#msg13045 date=1371410785]
    the next thing he said was "when shall I book him in to be castrated?" which I also thought dismissed any questions I might have before I'd even had a chance to think about asking them!

    Could try another vet of course!
    [/quote]

    We got that from the veterinary nurse at our practice I was quite brusque in my response ::) and definitely considered changing practice except Riley loves his vet :)
     
  14. lynnelogan

    lynnelogan Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    i would consider changing vets, i got recommended my vet from a good breeder friend of mine, best thing i have ever done 100% happy x
     
  15. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Yes, thanks, I might well do that - need to find one though, as don't have a recommendation. Perhaps I'll ask around at the next puppy school class, see where everyone else goes. Before I have to face the castration decision! As would need to be confident in vet before then for sure.
     
  16. lynnelogan

    lynnelogan Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    sorry julie i didn't welcome you and charlie, :) welcome frome me and jasper 6 month this week, .....we have booked him in to be neutered on friday 26th of july.... dreading it :(
     
  17. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Hi Julie, and welcome! :)

    For some reason I can't seem to see the photos of your lovely boy.
     
  18. lynnelogan

    lynnelogan Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    i can't see the photo :(
     
  19. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    Hi Julie,I've not said welcome,I'm on holiday at the mo and not even with my dog.....I said I would probably be quiet for a couple of weeks and I've never shut up since I got here!Dexter is an 81/2 month old yellow lab and we live in Dubai,oh and have I not said yet,how much I miss him...first time we have left him,all check in reports are coming back positive though !enjoy these forums,everybody is so kind,patient,helpful and friendly...I can't see your photos but think the issue must be with me as others can see him
    Bye for now
    angela x
     
  20. lynnelogan

    lynnelogan Registered Users

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    Re: Lab puppy too fat?

    angela i don't see the photos........you will soon be home to your lovely dexter
     

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