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Cocker Activities => Working => Topic started by: Leo0106 on September 30, 2017, 09:38:18 AM

Title: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on September 30, 2017, 09:38:18 AM
Hi all,
What's the ideal weight for a working cocker?
the vets have told us twice that Leo is overweight but no matter how much we cut down his food, he just dosnt lose any Weight!
Just wondered whether we are doing something wrong?

He is 11 months old so I'm assuming basically fully grown now, he weighs 15kgs.

To give you an idea of feeding/exercise ratios he has:
Half a cup of salmon and potatoes wainwrights kibble in the morning,
Half a cup of the same in the evening (he's on adult kibble as vet told us the puppy kibble may be keeping his weight up)

He has 3 30 minute walks a day, walks are off lead, chasing a ball  or doing scentwork/basic training recall etc and he swims about twice a week too.

The only other thing he has is training treats but not many as we use his kibble left over from breakfast.
The treats are salmon and potatoes wainwrights again.

Other than that he might have a carrot or a chew to chill with and that's all!


Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on September 30, 2017, 10:02:04 AM
Just a thought How big is the cup (mug or cup as there may be difference), have you measured the food from half a cup on scales?

Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: ips on September 30, 2017, 10:30:04 AM
Hi all,
What's the ideal weight for a working cocker?
the vets have told us twice that Leo is overweight but no matter how much we cut down his food, he just dosnt lose any Weight!
Just wondered whether we are doing something wrong?

He is 11 months old so I'm assuming basically fully grown now, he weighs 15kgs.

To give you an idea of feeding/exercise ratios he has:
Half a cup of salmon and potatoes wainwrights kibble in the morning,
Half a cup of the same in the evening (he's on adult kibble as vet told us the puppy kibble may be keeping his weight up)

He has 3 30 minute walks a day, walks are off lead, chasing a ball  or doing scentwork/basic training recall etc and he swims about twice a week too.

The only other thing he has is training treats but not many as we use his kibble left over from breakfast.
The treats are salmon and potatoes wainwrights again.

Other than that he might have a carrot or a chew to chill with and that's all!

Sounds heavy. My bitch is 3years 3months and 12kg ish.
You should be able to see the ribs, looking down at the dog from above there should be an obvious waistline. Amount of food is relevant to activity level. Eze has 190grams of Arden grange performance dry with about half a cup full of minced turkey etc split between two meals.
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on September 30, 2017, 10:32:38 AM
Hi mudmagnets sorry I should have weighed it. Just weighed it now and it's 50g which dosnt sound a lot atall.. means he only has 100g for meals and then maybe 25g more during the day for training purposes.. he's not a hungry dog though either.. he'll happily leave his meal and not eat it
In terms of the way he looks, I can feel his ribs and if I pinch the fur around his ribs it feels nothing more than skin. He has a waist when looking from above
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: ips on September 30, 2017, 10:49:48 AM
Certainly doesn't sound like a lot of food !!
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on September 30, 2017, 11:00:26 AM
That's exactly what I thought Ips and then I worry that I'm under feeding but he's really not fussed about his food either and still isn't losing weight.
I'll put down his meals and he just ignores it unless I offer it to him as a reward for training and commands etc
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: ips on September 30, 2017, 11:09:27 AM
We had same problem when eze was young, she would refuse food in the hope of something better coming along. Its certainly odd why the weight isn't coming off on what is  very low amount of food. Its not possible he is getting fed elsewhere is it ??
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on September 30, 2017, 11:20:38 AM
I know, I find it very odd.
Nope he'll never find food elsewhere as he is always with us, the only time he is cared for someone else is when his dog walker comes in which is about once a week, she always uses his kibble if she wants to treat him and occasionally if he is alone for a while longer after she's been in she'll leave him a kong with some treats in but again, because I work from home she only comes in about once a week.
He does try to eat stuff he finds on his walks but this is rarely food... more tissues or something haha
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on September 30, 2017, 02:30:04 PM
Doesn't sound much at all to me. Less in fact than my cockapoo who has 50grms of dry and same of wet mixed together X 3 times a day and weighed 12.2kg a month ago

Does your vet sell prescription weight control food, by any chance?  ;)
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: ian.peet.3 on September 30, 2017, 03:33:57 PM
Our jet weighs 18 kg and is 7 months old but he seems to dwarf most other working cockers.. He's has 3 x 50g cups of wainwrights a day can feel his ribs ,but like with humans I think different dogs carry weight differently...
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on September 30, 2017, 04:36:41 PM
Mudmagnets. Yes I believe they do sell diet food but they're having a laugh if they think I'm going to buy it haha. I am sceptical with the vets recommendations, to me he looks perfectly healthy, if he was lethargic and not able to exercise then I would assume he was unfit but the boy dosnt stop!
Totally agree with you Ian, every working cocker ive ever come across has looked different to one another. I sometimes think he looks a bit chubby when he's led down but when he stands up there's nothing of him!
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on September 30, 2017, 05:11:30 PM
Mudmagnets. Yes I believe they do sell diet food but they're having a laugh if they think I'm going to buy it haha. I am sceptical with the vets recommendations, to me he looks perfectly healthy, if he was lethargic and not able to exercise then I would assume he was unfit but the boy dosnt stop!
Totally agree with you Ian, every working cocker ive ever come across has looked different to one another. I sometimes think he looks a bit chubby when he's led down but when he stands up there's nothing of him!

I would personally go with your gut feelings, if you and your dog are happy.
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on September 30, 2017, 06:38:58 PM
Thankyou mudmagnets.
I certainly need a pre-christmas diet so maybe Leo will join in the weight loss!
I assume there's nothing much known about slow metabolism issues or anything?
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on September 30, 2017, 07:03:08 PM
I believe, that the Thyroid gland (or rather what it produces in both humans and dogs can have an effect on metabolism, amongst other things, but if your dog is otherwise healthy apart from what the vet is saying about weight and you are happy with his condition, I would not worry too much about it. You could try googling Thyroid and see what comes up - but please don't frighten yourself by reading too much.

If the vet mentions it again say you are going to another vet practice to seek a second opinion, as is your right.

Meanwhile found this http://www.petloverscompanion.com/metabolism-in-pets-fat-dogs-skinny-cats/
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on September 30, 2017, 08:54:02 PM
Many many thanks mudmagnets,
I will do a little but not too much reading into it!! Haha
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Emilyoliver on October 01, 2017, 12:06:01 AM
Hi, do you have a photo of him?
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 01, 2017, 07:16:31 AM
Hi Emily Oliver, I do have a photo but can't remember how to upload?
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 01, 2017, 07:29:07 AM
(http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o712/becca_gray2/FB_IMG_1506839205955_zpstwljjhzd.jpg) (http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/becca_gray2/media/FB_IMG_1506839205955_zpstwljjhzd.jpg.html)

Does this work??
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Emilyoliver on October 01, 2017, 08:39:20 AM
I can't see it, maybe others can?
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on October 01, 2017, 08:58:47 AM
I can't see it, maybe others can?

No I can't see it either.  I think it is due to Photobucket's new payment policies
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 01, 2017, 09:25:05 AM
ohh photobucket have failed me... the photo i posted is on my facebook... can you see if you can follow this link? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156500881914816&set=a.10151347941349816.565975.614209815&type=3&theater
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on October 01, 2017, 09:30:43 AM
ohh photobucket have failed me... the photo i posted is on my facebook... can you see if you can follow this link? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156500881914816&set=a.10151347941349816.565975.614209815&type=3&theater

No can't see it, think you have to pay photobucket for them to allow your piccies you have there in other places. Some COL'rs use a different free service now.
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 01, 2017, 12:57:17 PM
Ah ok. If anyone knows of another service that would be great!
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on October 01, 2017, 01:25:10 PM
Ah ok. If anyone knows of another service that would be great!

Look under our 'Forum Support' there are a few suggestions on there of who people use now, I think a couple mentioned are Flckr and imbg but as I don't use either not sure how you get the details, sure someone else will though, good luck
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: elaine.e on October 01, 2017, 01:53:38 PM
In terms of the way he looks, I can feel his ribs and if I pinch the fur around his ribs it feels nothing more than skin. He has a waist when looking from above

If that's how he looks he probably isn't overweight, because that sounds good in terms of body condition. If you do an internet search you'll find lots of charts showing body condition from underweight through to obese. I bet your boy will come into the ideal category.

Cockers vary a lot in build and height, from pocket rockets that are slim and fit at 9 or 10kg up to those who are several inches taller than breed standard height and weigh more than the breed standard average even when slim. Vets often seem to go by breed standard when determining if a dog is overweight, rather than using their eyes and some common sense ;)
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on October 01, 2017, 03:01:33 PM
In terms of the way he looks, I can feel his ribs and if I pinch the fur around his ribs it feels nothing more than skin. He has a waist when looking from above

If that's how he looks he probably isn't overweight, because that sounds good in terms of body condition. If you do an internet search you'll find lots of charts showing body condition from underweight through to obese. I bet your boy will come into the ideal category.

Cockers vary a lot in build and height, from pocket rockets that are slim and fit at 9 or 10kg up to those who are several inches taller than breed standard height and weigh more than the breed standard average even when slim. Vets often seem to go by breed standard when determining if a dog is overweight, rather than using their eyes and some common sense ;)

Couldn't agree more with Elaine
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 01, 2017, 05:30:50 PM
Yes thankyou Elaine that's very reassuring, I have never thought he looks overweight. He had a play with a 2 year old worker today and owners said theirs was overweight and I could certainly see it.. Leo also went to the groomers today to get rid of his puppy fluff and he's come home looking 5kg lighter haha he certainly dosnt look large to me... He looks beautiful..  but I am biased haha
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 01, 2017, 05:39:11 PM
https://ibb.co/foQKmG

Ah I managed to find in another thread, a website that ips has previously recommended for photos. Let me know if you can see this one
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Londongirl on October 01, 2017, 05:48:33 PM
He’s in fine condition and definitely not overweight AT ALL. In my opinion.
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Mudmagnets on October 01, 2017, 06:47:40 PM
https://ibb.co/foQKmG

Ah I managed to find in another thread, a website that ips has previously recommended for photos. Let me know if you can see this one

Leo! to me he looks in lovely shape, think that vet needs to go to Specsavers  ph34r
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 01, 2017, 07:00:42 PM
Haha oh thankyou both, I'm so glad you both agree with me and I'm not just being naive! I do everything I can to ensure he is fit and healthy so did worry to be told he was too big!!
I do think, like it's been said, vets often go on a generic breed weight... I've always been told he would be big
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: bizzylizzy on October 01, 2017, 07:16:43 PM
Just seen this - Leo's a beautiful boy, I can't see where the socalled surplus weight is supposed to be sitting, he's got a lovely slender figure!!!
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: ips on October 01, 2017, 07:17:55 PM
Nothing wrong with him, looks in great shape to me. 👍

Your vet is going off a weight scale instead of looking at the dog.
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 01, 2017, 07:22:09 PM
Thanks guy, I did wonder where he could be carrying too much. I guess at some angles his rib cage looks a little plump but whenever I handle him I can feel nothing more than skin and ribs. He does feel as though he has big muscles on his hind legs so I can only assume he's carrying a decent amount of muscle.. . Which I can't complain about !! Thanks for the reassurance again
Title: Re: Weight dramas!
Post by: Leo0106 on October 08, 2017, 08:10:42 PM
Popped into pets at home today which is where his vets is so thought I'll get him weighed... just to see.. He's gone from 15.6kg to 15kg... I'm totally blaming it on the fact he was groomed last weekend and lost all his puppy hair  :lol2: ... would be so interesting to see what the vets would say if I asked them to judge his weight by his looks instead of his weight.