Over Fed ?

[saralou]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice... i have a beautiful 10 month old cocker called Angus, i feed him twice day with dog biscuits ( a couple of handfuls) and pedigree chum. I also walk him without fail for approx 45mins to an hour per day and also play with him quite a bit in the backyard.

He weighs 12.8kg and i think he may be possibly a bit overweight for his age. Does anyone have any guidelines as to what i should be feeding him and does he need more exercise ( perhaps an extra walk per day ? )

Thanks

[Hurtwood Dogs]

Probably a bit too much food - it's not the best food on the market either. If you're interested, it's worth having a look at the threads on the feeding boards as lots of different brands get discussed there.

I only use the quantities on packets as a guideline for my dogs and tend to feed by eye - i.e gradually adjust the amounts until I'm happy with how they look. A fit cocker should have a well defined waist when you look from above and you should be able to feel their ribs under the skin - but not see them if that makes sense. I prefer my dogs to be on the lighter side as it's better for their joints long term also

If you want to post some pics we can try and help you a bit more if you like, but it's not always that easy if they're at the fluffy age! Generally at 10 months cockers are quite rangy (leggy) as they haven't built up mature adult muscle by this point so if anything they tend to look a bit scrawny rather than have 'puppy fat'. If you feel he's a bit heavy then it's best to cut his food back a little and maybe think about slowly changing it. Don't up his exercise much more until he's well over a year though as that's not good for their developing bones and joints either

Hope that helps a bit!

[bracken]

Its difficult to say without seeing Angus my Archie was that exact weight when he was 10 months I remember as we got him from the breeder and he said not to let his weight go below that. he is 15.5 " tall. Bailey my golden cocker weighs 18 kg and Rosie is only 9.8kg but she is only 10" tall.
I would pop him along to the vet nurse if you are not sure  
I think at 10 months that amount of exercise is enough  
Do you have any pics of Angus?

[bluegirl]

You should be able to feel his ribs pretty easily without having to dig around and if you can then he's about right, if you can't then he needs smaller portion sizes. Shouldn't be a need to up his walks to burn off his food as for the first 12 mths they are still growing and developing and over walking isn't recommended.

[saralou]

Hi

Thanks for all your advice , after reading through i think im probably giving him a little bit too much ! I can feel his ribs so hes not massively overweight  - his Dad was a big dog - maybe he takes after him a bit ? Anyway im being careful now what i give him, as ive read that this breed are prone to overeating and putting on weight. Ive had other dogs before but never a cocker spaniel, we decided to get him as weve a young family, hes a perfect family dog  - not too big - friendly and very patient with my toddler ! Just trying to work out how to post a photo of him....