Feeding a neutered Spaniel

[Chunk1985]

Morning All

I have a Golden Cocker Spaniel. He looks to be overweight as looks slightly barrel like. He is quite big built anyway, but he weighs about 17.3kg. From what i have read online that is slightly overweight? We have reduced his food but it doesnt seem to have made a difference. He has also been neutered which i know can cause issues with weight.

I have been told to try him on a raw food diet. Does anyone else here do that or have any diet suggestions?

Thanks

Neal

[lescef]

Hi. Yes, I found that one of my girls in particular started to put on weight after being spayed. They were fed kibble at the time. I felt there was too much carbohydrate, so we went raw. Their weight has stayed steady at 10 -11kgs since then. It means I don't have to worry too much about the number of treats they have. Feeding raw also has other health benefits -eyes and skin are better as there is no yeast about to cause problems.  I feed Nutriment rather than DIY.

[MIN]

Gemma has kibble. We portion control it ( measuring cups that you  use for cooking) She has a full red one for breakfast and a yellow one for tea

[8 Hairy Feet]

Good results on my little fatty Ellie
with Barking Heads "Fat Dog Slim" like MIn
weighing it too as only a few kibbles makes an extra
10 g.

[bizzylizzy]

We also feed raw with very little carbs, except maybe an odd potatoe or rice, if I have leftovers and a couple  of small biscuits as a snack inbetween. Mine also gets a good portion of fruit or veg to add bulk. He's still entire and only fairly young so weight hasn't been a problem so far anyway but to date I've never regretted changing to raw and can certainly recommend it!

[bella15]

We feed Millies Wolfheart Highland kibble ( low fat) ,which is weighed out at both meal times ,to ours after asking their team what was best as Miss Cody was turning into a barrel! She has done very well on it losing the weight she needed to

[Joules]

If you are thinking about changing to raw, have a read of this:  http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=97551.0

A lot of processed foods are full of additives and cereals which are of no use to dogs and just bulk up the food with carbs.  There are decent kibbles, but, personally I am a big fan of raw and so is my dog 

Don't get too hung up on weight charts - cockers vary in size and build and I have known some little ones at 8kg and some big ones at 18kg.  You can tell if your dog is overweight by eye.  You should be able to feel his ribs easily but not see them and from above he should have a clearly defined waist.  When he meets these criteria, then weigh him and that is his ideal weight   

With food, you can adjust the amount you feed accordingly - some dogs are prone to putting on weight and some burn it all off.  Not sure that being neutered is really a factor - the main factors (as with us!) is amount of food and level of exercise.

I have fed Coco raw since she was 6 months old (she is 12 this year) and it really suits her well.  I keep a close eye on her weight (anything around 12kg is ideal for her) and adjust her food accordingly.  She is a very greedy dog and ALWAYS looking for food, but I bulk up her meals with pulped veg, a raw carrot every day to stop her putting on weight.

Plenty of complete raw foods around now - easy ones to get hold of which are both excellent quality are Natural Instinct and Nutriment - I use both, together with some DIY (chicken wings, carcasses, rabbits and offal).  Depends on what suits you and your budget really. 

[PennyB]

I don't feed raw but I have in the past bulked up Stella's food with veggies with her kibble so she felt she was getting more full rather than fat - she'd have a bowl with so much kibble in then veggies piled on top

Mind you Ruby always had a more round shape yet she was as fit as they came - in her case it was how her body shape was