Any suggestions on healthy snacks for my overweight gsd? - Page 2

baby carrots are great...my guys love 'em.  sometimes i even put one of those giant carrots in the freezer and let them munch on it for a little while.  they also like apples, strawberries, blueberries, cantaloup, etc., but you have to watch how much sugar you're giving him.  i also found some great stuff at a local pet store...beef trachea (gross as it may sound) and dried/smoked(?) salmon sticks.  they absolutely looove this stuff.

I agree with sueincc, my Mom gives Green Beans, when she has to cut back on the food. They walk 5 to 7 miles per day when My Mom is in good health, When she is not able for any length of time she cuts the food and subs in Green Beans. works well, except when my dad sneeks her goodies.

I think you first need to reduce your dogs weight like mentioned above. I understand wanting to give a treat, I am the same way, but its not doing any favors on an overweight dog. Actually ,if I am correct, carrots are not as low calorie as some might think because they have a high sugar content. I had a female that "was" overweight and has a bad elbow so she was somewhat exercise intolerant. I feed RAW also and no matter how little I gave her she would not loose weight, took to eating sh_t on walks if given to little food. A friend suggested "The Puff Wheat or Rice" diet . Well weird as it sounds it worked, I took 12 pounds off her over a 4 month period and she has maintained good weight since. Not sure why just reducing her food didn't work but I don't care.... The diet is 1 cup of puffed cereal and 2/3 of what their normal food amount would be. The treats after your dog looses weight could then be lean meat, like salmon,beef, chicken strips, like jerky..

Agree with carrots, either cut them into  bitesize pieces or buy the baby ones. Blitz also enjoys a slice of apple or pear,  a piece of orange or a celery stick. They are his rewards throughout the day. He's on tough love, NILIF.

Air...

 ?? Ice cubes  ??

wATCH THE SMOKED THINGS   SMOKED HAS NITRITES AND NITRATES IF YOU BUY THEM     NO DYES PLEASE AND SMOKED SALMON MAY HAVE SOME OF THAT    READ YOUR LABELS    ON ANY TREAT

MOST SAY     MADE IN CHINA     A BIG NO  , NO....

SUGAR IS BIG IN VEGGIES AND CARROTS BUT GOOD SUGAR.....GREEN BEANS ARE GREAT AND YAMS ALSO  OR PUMPKIN   

for overweight /obese dogs I suggest switching them to Sience Diet R/D ( reducing diet ) . Your local Vet either carries it or could order you the food. I used to compete with a Pug year and years ago and her optimum weight was 19 pounds   well Pugs do can pack on a pound or two in a flash :))  She did not get much food to beginn with and to give her less would have been perhaps 10 kibbles . Giving her next to nothing of regular food including some on the market for overweight dogs would have not  kept her satisfied nor would have given her the energy to keep training .I always switched her to RD for a few weeks . Dog stayed well musceld and the pounds came off without the dog having to starve.  Carrotts are an excellent substitution for dogs that are used to getting a biscuit here and there during the day.

RD is high in fiber and low in fat and with regu;lar excerise the dog will not loose any muscle /energy.

Pia

Although, baby carrots are convenient and cute, they are dipped into formaldehyde to keep there characteristics. I steer clear of them and buy organic carrots from the local co-op store. Just as easy to snap in half for smaller dogs.

The baby carrots I buy are organic.