Bellissimmo
New Member
Hi,
I'm a new member so please forgive if I'm posting a frequently asked question.
I work as a fosterer for a small (general) rescue organisation. My current charge is a Dachshund bitch who is significantly overweight and I am looking for some advice on dietary tactics and targets.
So, some facts, figures and background... Her name is Gem and she is believed to be six years old and lived with an elderly couple. The wife sadly passed away and her husband gave Gem and their other dog up for adoption. On arrival (Tuesday 30 Sept 2014), she weighed in at 10.8 kg She is around 24 inches long (tip of nose to base of tail) and, on average, about 21 inches in girth - specifically 20.5 around the chest and 21.5 around the waist. She is currently on a mix of wet food and biscuits - around the same volume that I'm giving my Jack Russell, who weighs in at 7.5Kg. I am walking her three times a day around our 'block' which is about half a mile. First time out she couldn't manage the full distance without a couple of rests. Today, for the first time, she managed the full distance without stopping.
I'm hoping to get some advice on a target weight and a suitable volume of food - most guides talk about volume per kilo and I obviously don't want to be calculating food against 10.8Kg. I am hoping to get her onto raw food but I don't want to change too much at once, so I'd be interested in any opinions here also.
Thanks in advance
Steve
I'm a new member so please forgive if I'm posting a frequently asked question.
I work as a fosterer for a small (general) rescue organisation. My current charge is a Dachshund bitch who is significantly overweight and I am looking for some advice on dietary tactics and targets.
So, some facts, figures and background... Her name is Gem and she is believed to be six years old and lived with an elderly couple. The wife sadly passed away and her husband gave Gem and their other dog up for adoption. On arrival (Tuesday 30 Sept 2014), she weighed in at 10.8 kg She is around 24 inches long (tip of nose to base of tail) and, on average, about 21 inches in girth - specifically 20.5 around the chest and 21.5 around the waist. She is currently on a mix of wet food and biscuits - around the same volume that I'm giving my Jack Russell, who weighs in at 7.5Kg. I am walking her three times a day around our 'block' which is about half a mile. First time out she couldn't manage the full distance without a couple of rests. Today, for the first time, she managed the full distance without stopping.
I'm hoping to get some advice on a target weight and a suitable volume of food - most guides talk about volume per kilo and I obviously don't want to be calculating food against 10.8Kg. I am hoping to get her onto raw food but I don't want to change too much at once, so I'd be interested in any opinions here also.
Thanks in advance
Steve