Expert: Kaza - 4/4/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am wondering if a bichon-poo would weigh more than a bichon. My Bichon was a rescue and at 4 months he was 10 pounds He is now 19 months old and weighs 19.5 pounds. The lady at the pet shop said he is muscular and not overweight. I have pondered if he is really a poo/mix would that not account for his weight? I am fearful he is overweight. He eats a dry kibble natural food, wellness or prairie salmon and rice. a quarter cup twice a day with some wet mixed in. I just want to keep him healthy, most bichons at 4 months do not weigh 10 pounds all ready. what do you think? Thanks in advance.

ANSWER: Hiya Lori
actually many at 4 months would weigh 10lbs and some more.
I would need you to look at him from overhead if his waist is bigger and round looking he is overweight. This would all need to be taken into account with height , length etc.

A dry diet no matter who makes it will always have atendncy to increase weight unless you stick strictly to the guidelines and use no other food, exercise is also very important at 19 months a good 30 minute brisk walk will do so much for weight control with any growing doggy.

Dogs that use a more natural approach to feeding are always within the normal range of weight and structure, this is in part due to how a dogs disgestive system works.

Please remember that at this age your dogy needs only 1 meal per day and that should be no more than 175g on a natural raw or Barf diet and look at the package for your own dried diet.

If on a dry diet I really do suggest using cranberry tablets within the daily routine for your doggy and glucosamine and chondratin.

www.eurobichons.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kaza,

He does walk more than 30 minutes a day, he has 2 30 minute walks twice a day. i don't care for the raw diet idea. thanks anyways.

Answer
Lori I also suggested that he has only 1 meal per day. I also suggested that you stand over him and look at his shape as this is how one can readily determine his obesity levels if they exist, clearly I have not seen him so can only guide you at this stage , but as I stated it is worth remembering that obesity and rise in dry diets has a correlation. Apart from this I cannot see what else we here can do.

Good luck with him .

Here is one test that you can take for yourself to assess if he is overweight or not.
http://www.stopcanineobesity.com/barc.aspx

some more info
http://www.stopcanineobesity.com/Default.aspx?sec=Causes%20of%20Obesityhttp://ww