Hi, my 1.5 yr old lab was at vet's recently and weighted. At 42 kg, I'm told he's 5kg over where he should be. I must admit I was starting to notice he was getting chunky...

I've adjusted his feeding, but he's a big strong dog and he now appears to be hungary - at leat he wolves his food much more that he used to. He's now on 300g of Beta Light, served 1/2 morning and 1/2 evening.

Am I being too strict on this do you think? He has elbow dysplacia (sp) and has been operated on (both elbows), so I definitely need to keep him from being coming overweight.

Thanks.

Quantities are always very difficult as dogs vary so much in their activity levels and metabolisms.  The best way, I think, is to monitor the effects for small but consistant reductions. 

I have to really watch my Dalmatians weight..when he gets a little chunky I just add chopped up carrot to his meal and reduce the kibble a bit, and give carrots as treats.. seems to work..

I feed both my Labs 300g of dry food and they weigh 28kg and 30kg.  They both get at least 2 hours exercise a day. (often 3 hours)  300g doesn't sound much for such a big boy, maybe up it slightly and see how you go.

Thanks all. I'll maybe up it a little. The vet said it would take about 6 mths for him to get down to the 'right' weight. Does that sound about right?

Yes, that way you are going on about 1 kilo a month which seems a nice steady loss.

Gosh he is a big boy, makes Mol looks tiny at 28kg!!

> at leat he wolves his food

He's a lab I'd expect no less!! ;)

Are you trying hydrotherapy? Great way for a lab to loose weight & not too strenuous on the elbows!

Hi Lab007
My GR has to loose 5kg the same as your lab, she has HD.
She has 300gms a day and i was told by my vet that she could still have less,but im happy with that.
Every other day i give her nature harvest with it and less complete,just to give her a change.
She also has hydrotherpy once a week for three 3minute sessions.
HTH