I have a 18 pound Mini American Eskimo and she only eats 2/3 cup of food per day, split into 2 meal. My 7 pound chi gets a little less then 1/4 cup, 2 times a day. Most chis 5-8 pounds only eat 1/2 cup per day. So a full cup of food a day is a lot for a 9 pound dog, regardless of what you are feeding her.
A lot has to do with the type of food you feed and the dogs metabolism, as well as how much. Perhaps try finding a kibble with less fat content, and more protein, and split only 1/2 cup per day into 3 meals. Chis are known to be food gorgers. My Gigi would eat all day, and believe me she is always looking for something to eat. You have to learn how to ignore their demands for food. Also find much less fattening treats. Those dog treats can really add on the weight too. Dogs are meat eaters and their system requires much more meat then any type of veggie. The protein in a lean meat, like white chicken actually helps burn up their fat. Beef, and pork are not as digestable as chicken and can add on the weight because of the fat content. If your Vet and others are concerned about over her weight, then I would listen. Overweight toy breeds wind up having breathing and heart problems and diabetes, and knee problems. Plus it definitely reduces their life span I have seen this with a friend's little Yorkie, and she should have only weighed 5 pounds. By the time she was 8yrs old and 9 pounds she had 2 knee operations, breathing problems and then heart problems and died a year later because her body just couldn't take the weight around her heart. The poor thing could barely walk, and her owner was warned by the vet and others for years. She too fed her almost a full cup a day plus treats because the dog constantly demanded it. How about posting a couple of pictures of her? Many of us who own chis can tell you whether we think she is just a little over weight or a lot over weight. It is hard to help them loose weight. But if she is a healthy dog with no issues with her main organs and has been thyroid tested (under active thyroid can cause weight gain) then there is no reason why she can't loose the weight, if she is fed properly and exercised. Peggy -------Original Message------- From: jacehomeart Date: 4/22/2013 4:28:25 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] Overweight I know my Chihuahua is overweight but it seems I am unable to do anything about it. If fact we love her chunky body. That doesn't help. Our Vet said she's overweight. She's about 11 lbs and the Vet thinks 9 lbs would be best for her. Do any of you have issues? Mine is always up for a meal and although I've reduced her food - she still wants 3 meals a day. I have tried to do 2 meals but that seems to be against her wishes. She gets kibble and dried sweet potato for breakfast - veggies and a bit of meat for lunch and kibble and sweet potato for supper. The whole thing isn't more than a cup. We live in Ontario and now the weather is a bit warmer we are out more -so exercise is going to help. I have to say I am really tired of everyone saying she's fat. The only Chi's I know that are skinny, have eating issues.
