Jasper is loosing his waistline and I don't think it is quantity of food he eats, he is a naturally big dog, taller than breed standard etc and has 150 - 200 g of raw meat with small amount of added veg/fruit , sometimes a chicken wing or rib but less food to compensate twice a day. He usually has chicken or beef mince, sometimes lamb. He has perhaps half hand (max) of Autarky in the mince to break it up a little.
He isn't given treats other than a tripe stick or meaty treat in morning and bedtime when they are put to bed for work or night. He doesn't scavenge treat between meals. I have even started to put treats into a ball to make him work harder to get.
Jasper has gone from being very picky about what he eats to scoffing it all although he still waits to be told to come and get it, however he is becoming an opportunist thief if given a chance when he didn't used to bother so if anything I would say he is hungry.
He has the same exercise he's always had and although steadier which I put down to maturity, he still gallops off with Louie (though he'd never keep up) and enjoys jumping over visitors and playing with dogs when walking. He is 2 years old. His coat shines and he seems in good health.
Does it sound like too much food? Should I reduce his feeds to one a day? Extra exercise (gets 2 loose walks a day) is difficult at the moment but working on that.
Also wondered whether worth getting blood test in case it is thyroid or am I paranoid? I know the vets going to comment when he has his vaccine next week!
He never will be a delicate little show cocker and perhaps thats what I (and the vet) am wrongly comparing him with after visiting the cocker championships
About to remove some excessive coat, that'll knock off a few pounds in weight!
