Hi. I got invited into this discussion yesterday by @chickentrains (thanks, Trains) but could not join at that time. Yes, Mutchi, I agree with the others. Your sweet babies are very much at health risk due to being overweight. I'm glad you are going to see to the problem. I suggest you reduce their food gradually, not all at once. Others may disagree with me. But reduce it a little at a time over the course of a week or two until they are getting only what they need.
I have two Shelties. One weighs 35 lbs. She gets half a cup in the morning and half a cup in the afternoon. She is a little overweight but she is old and not as active as she used to be. The other one weighs 27 lbs if I remember correctly. He is young and VERY active. My boy feeds him. I think he gets a whole cup in the morning and half in the afternoon, but we need to cut him down to a half and a half now that he has reached his mature weight. He was really skinny and underweight when we got him. My dogs are probably twice as big as yours should be. So I agree that 1/4 cup of a good quality food, twice a day, sounds about right for them.
I also agree that you should put the food down, in two separate bowls, for about ten minutes twice a day. After ten minutes, pick up the bowls and don't put them down again until the next feeding time. It will take them about three days to get used to the new routine, but they won't die.
Your dogs will be much happier and healthier with the new routine. Oh, and don't exercise them immediately after eating. Wait about an hour before vigorous exercise. Good luck! ❤
I have two Shelties. One weighs 35 lbs. She gets half a cup in the morning and half a cup in the afternoon. She is a little overweight but she is old and not as active as she used to be. The other one weighs 27 lbs if I remember correctly. He is young and VERY active. My boy feeds him. I think he gets a whole cup in the morning and half in the afternoon, but we need to cut him down to a half and a half now that he has reached his mature weight. He was really skinny and underweight when we got him. My dogs are probably twice as big as yours should be. So I agree that 1/4 cup of a good quality food, twice a day, sounds about right for them.
I also agree that you should put the food down, in two separate bowls, for about ten minutes twice a day. After ten minutes, pick up the bowls and don't put them down again until the next feeding time. It will take them about three days to get used to the new routine, but they won't die.
Your dogs will be much happier and healthier with the new routine. Oh, and don't exercise them immediately after eating. Wait about an hour before vigorous exercise. Good luck! ❤
