Monday 3 October 2016

Suky's Weightloss Journey

  
Suky has now been a member of our local vets 'Tubby Club' for the past sixteen months and in that time she has reduced from 12.2 kg, as she was in this photo taken at the start of her weight loss journey ...


... to her current weight of a much slimmer 8.8kg.

Her journey is ongoing, with each appointment now being a chance to evaluate if she needs to continue losing weight or to move onto a maintenance programme.  One thing's for sure we would never allow her weight to creep up to where it was before, she has done so well.

All we have done is to slowly but surely reduce her food intake, and she now eats a 'lighter' dried dog food especially formulated to help dogs feel fuller after a smaller meal.  You should see the size it swells to once she has a drink of water after her meal.  We tried it out for ourselves by pouring water on it in the bowl, it's amazing ;-) 

So she has a nicely full tum on less food and slowly but surely her weigh creeps downwards.  All I have to do is watch how many titbits Lovely Hubby gives her and reduce her evening meal accordingly if he has slipped her anything.  It might see mean to some people not sharing my food with her but hopefully I've already added a couple of years to her lifespan by reducing her weight.


Instead of giving her things to eat to make her happy I play more with her and enjoy a bit of rough and tumble in the paddock, something she wouldn't have had the energy to do a year ago.  And  there are still some treats that she has, an occasional half of a small dog sized Dentastix and half a carrot every time I am prepping carrots, but it's never a regular thing like it used to be.

She's now a much happier and fitter dog, as her running all the way up the hillside this morning testified to, she only used to be able to manage a run down the hill ... and that would have left her out of breath.

One thing's for sure a fat Pug is not a happy Pug no matter what folk tell you, but our new streamlined slimmer Pug is most definitely a happy dog, and we are happy dog owners.

Sue xx



26 comments:

  1. She looks much better now, I saw two pug puppies the other day they were gorgeous , if I ever (not at the moment) have another dog it will be a Pug.

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  2. Well done Suky - and very well done to you for persevering with the diet food and 'no tit-bits' rule. She looks really good now and it's lovely to hear that she's fitter and happier. My Collie put on weight as he got older and slowed down from walks to strolls . . on that diet food (Satiety?) he reduced from 40Kg to 32Kg which helped enormously, taking the extra weight off his weak hips and putting back the spring in his steps.

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  3. I think this applies to any dog really Sue - Tess likes biscuits and the farmer always gives her four pieces of his Rich tea at bedtime. She can count - she lines them up on the carpet and will not start eating them until all four are in a line!! But, like you, I cut down her food accordingly.

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  4. I think Suky looks younger too after her weight loss. We put our 13 year old cross on a diet and it transformed her. She is so lively now! We think we're being kind by giving dogs too many human treats, but it can eventually shorten their lives. Well done Suky (and mum and dad).

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  5. Well done ! We are trying to get our Millie to lose weight. Bar a couple of chewing bones she gets exactly the same food as the other dog and he is very slim.
    We've tried some diet version of dry food, so far no cigar.
    What is the name of the food you give to Suki, Sue ?

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    1. Suky is on James Wellbeloved 'Light' versions. It's the one that suited her best as the dried chunks ae big enough for her to have to bite and not just hoover up. She also eats out of a bowl with three big 'lumps' in it. A Pug version of the spiral and dotted feeders that are designed to slow a dog down while it is eating.

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  6. Ah bless....a somewhat chubby, but very firndly dog, strolled over for a pat at the café on the park today, before settling down on my foot for a few minutes

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  7. Our vet is obsessed with keeping dogs lean. My mum's lab died at just 10yrs. I'm sure the fact that he was obese led to his early death. You really have to be cruel to be kind food wise. Well done Suky!

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  8. She looks great and you're obviously a good pet owner.

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  9. She looks a lot better. Well done for sticking at it.

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  10. Suky is a shining example for us who want to drop a few pounds. If Suky can do it, so can we!

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  11. I need some of that dog food that swells up with water. Do they make one for humans?

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  12. Wow! Those are some 'before and after' photos! You have made huge improvement in her life - quality and expectancy ! That's amazing. Can you tell me what brand they are please. My son's Goldie is on a constant diet, and they may make her feel as if we're not all so mean to her.

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    1. All the dogs eat James Wellbeloved, Suky has the 'light' version.

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  13. Lovely to see Suky looking so sleek and healthy! Great that you've helped her gain so much energy.
    Sue - didn't want to clutter up your comments, but wondered if I might be able to ask some advice about blogging? Wasn't sure how to contact you to ask, but my email address is muchmorewithless at yahoo dot co dot uk

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  14. I don't think it's mean to feed dog food to a dog. None of my dogs EVER got human food. I grew up with over fed and overweight dogs who all developed serious health conditions way before old age including diabetes :-(

    Suky looks absolutely amazing!!

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  15. She looks wonderful.

    cheers parsnip

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  16. Goodness, what a difference! I bet she feels much better too. I know I do after losing a few pounds.

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  17. Awww bless her.. She looks amazing. I have the opposite problem with my cat who is very fussy and eats even her favourite food only in tiny amounts. I'd love for her to put a bit more weight on.

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  18. What a beautiful girl. Best to all of you!

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  19. Well done Suky - I wish I could eat a small meal and it would swell up and make me feel full on very little.

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