Expert: Kaza - 3/23/2009

Question
Hi, I have a 2 3/4 yr old male Bichon Frise.   Due to an ongoing weight problem, I have cut out all but one Greenie treat per day (Petite size), I have him down to 1/2 cup of dry food twice a day, and nothing else other than a bully stick to chew on.   I have bringing him for "weigh-in's" every month to my Vet.   He moans and groans often, and is preferring laziness over playing often.   He's a happy dog, loves people, is great with our 2 yr old Yorkie-Poo, female, who can be a real pain to him, but he just takes it, surprisingly.   Any suggestions about his weight problem?   We had another Bichon prior to him, and while we had to watch his weight, he never went above 20 Lbs..  Our Bichon is UP TO 24 LBS!!!   Please help?   thank you!

Answer
Hi
firstly we need to get some ballpark figures of how tall this Bichon is, weight is only an iaause if its not proportional to body size. Lets assume he is not very tall, the greenie can be stopped immediately, he does not require this. His food can be changed to a fresher diet, dried foods put weight on these dogs.
Follow this diet for 2 months he will be back to normal .

Morning

fresh carrot batons 150g
2 slices chicken
1/8 of an apple
fresh water

Mid day

1/4 cup oatmeal mixed with 100g raw lamb mince and 2tspoons olive oil

50g carrot batons or grated carrot into meal

fresh water


Evening

fresh water

alternate between lamb mince. Pork mince and chicken mince.

He can also eat cucumber, 100g cooked brown rice every 5 days


once he is back to normal email me again I will give you a maintenance diet for life.
www.eurobichons.com