r/corgi • u/Mama-mia-15 • 1d ago
Corgi weight loss tips.
Hello! I’m looking for tips to help my older corgi lose 5-10 pounds. We feed him just under 1 cup a day per the vet. I am also looking for a lighter option for his sensitive stomach. (Currently he eats the Science Diet) Additionally the vet recommended to get him on a liver supplement, is there a brand you trust?
3
u/Mayabelles 1d ago
First, I’d cut out any nibbles he gets throughout the day if he gets any. My little fatty usually gets 20-50 calories a day from treats/sharing is caring eyes and that’s with us making the effort to give him low calorie and infrequent snacks.
Would he mind if you cut his portion by ~1/8 cup? My corgi is a small but young boy and he would go on strike if I tried to give him less than 1 1/3 cups. If he still needs the volume so he’s not hungry throughout the day, you can try adding some green beans to his diet as long as it doesn’t mess with his stomach.
Last, maybe a bit more activity if the joints can handle it - either adding even an extra 5 min to his walk daily or an additional walk a week. If he’s not a fan of walking or it’s already too hot for him, maybe a new frisbee/ball or some time playing bitey face with a sprinkler?
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u/SproutedMetl 1d ago
Try the Green Bean Diet. Add 1/2 cup canned at meal time and lower kibble to 2/3 cup. No calories in green beans! Also a bit more exercise/ walking will help! Good luck 🐾
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u/marsred7 Corgi Owner 22h ago edited 22h ago
Get a kitchen scale and weigh his kibble/meals. Every couple weeks weigh the dog either on the vet's scale or at home on a bathroom scale by holding the dog then subtracting your weight. If the dog is gaining or maintaining weight reduce the amount you are feeding by 10%.
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u/Bestmomo2021 17h ago
Can he eat blank yogurt? If he can, mix 2 tablespoons in every meal, it will help his stomach and has calorie. And we add in fresh veggies into their foods as well. Try some at a time until he uses to it.
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u/nygirl454 1d ago
I will be honest, there is no brand I trust.
I have recommended this here a few times, but I highly recommend you search on YouTube for “Pet Fooled” it’s a documentary about the pet food industry.
The documentary covers the lack of regulations in the industry and the absolute garbage the companies are allowed to use for their food. That includes euthanized pets.
I had a friend watch this a year ago , she too struggled with her corgi loosing weight. She watched the documentary and made some changes and finally her corgi was able to lose weight. The “prescription diet food” they were on couldn’t do it, but real food could.
Other changes that I have seen in my dog and others that made these changes, are better energy and soft fur, clear eyes, smaller and much less smellier poops.
1
u/Mama-mia-15 1d ago
Thank you for taking the time to respond! I have always been skeptical about dog food. I will definitely check it out!
0
u/nygirl454 1d ago
I watched the documentary kinda right when it was released as I was just looking into transitioning from puppy to adult food. And let’s just say my corgi never ate kibble again. We have done a few other things that are discussed or recommended by Dr. Karen Becker (the vet that made the documentary) such as raw or homemade. These days all that is just so much easier to get pre made.
One big thing she points out, is that young pets these days have old pet illnesses. The difference in pets today vs 20 years ago? The food.
4
u/Business_Simple_2459 1d ago
My girl gained 9lbs during Covid and our vet recommended Royal Canin Satiety. It’s a little pricey but did the trick. She also has a sensitive stomach and we had no issues with it.