Hi all
Buffy is now 9 weeks old (lab). She weighs 6.1kg. The vet has told me that she is to fat and he wants to see a skinny dog the next time we go. She was very very plump when we got her from the breeder and although she still has some fat on her she's not as plump.

The guide on her food says to feed her 290g a day, i was feeding her 200g as she wasnt eating the whole ammount the vet has told me to cut this to 150g a day, surely that wouldnt be enough and she would get hungry.

What do you all think? Also as she hasnt had all jabs yet she isnt getting much excersise.

Debbie

200g - 250g is what I feed my puppies which are a smaller breed than Labradors.  I would have thought up to 250 would be about right for her if she wasn't plump, but 290 might be too much.

With my breed I have found that they reach their maximum food intake around 10 to 12 weeeks, and I keep them on this amount until they have nearly finished growing, but change to Junior Adult etc at the appropriate time.  Once fully adult then the food may be cut back slightly, down to maintenance level of about 200g.

I would imagine a lab would need a bit more.

Thanks for the advice.

Debbie

I will always keep a puppy chubby untill they are over 6 mths.  This is so if anything goes wrong they have fat there to help them, and it keeps them warmer in this weather.

Tell your vet that you do not want a skinny puppy, but a healthy one!!!

Rox

Hi Rox

Thats how i see it. She is starting to slim down now and is starting to look more dog shape, if you know what i mean. I did feed her 150g yesturday but she just seemed so hungry so i have put her back upto 200g today and she seems more settled.

Thanks Debbie

My lab pup is 9 weeks old today and weighs 5.7kg.  I think she's probably an ideal weight for her build. She's from working lines so will be quite light.  From what I've read its important not to over-feed a pup and let it get overweight as it will pup the pup more at risk of hip dysplasia etc.  I know that hip dysplasia is genetically inherited, but factors such as diet and exercise do affect the extent to which the condition develops in a genetically predisposed pup.  This was probably why the vet advised you as they did.  Labs do have a fairly high risk of HD, so my advice would be to just watch her weight carefully.
Good luck
Briar

The last thing we want is a fat dog and being a lab we where well aware that weight could become a problem before we got her, that is why she is only allowed her food. When we collected her from the breeder although weaned all the pups were still suckling from their mum if they got the chance, the breeder was also free feeding them. I think that is why she was plump when we got her, since then she has lost some plumpness but is still growing, gaining weight as a pup should do. I have at present no worries about her weight and aslong as everyone who visits us understands and follows the rule of no tit bits (which i will make sure they will) she shouldn't develope into a fat dog.

Debbie

Why do we call it puppy fat? cause puppies have it & it tends to fall off when the "teenage" years start.

When Taz was a pup the vet nurse told me to put him on a diet & I refused.  After all you wouldn't put a baby on a diet.  For 6 years I have struggled to keep weight on him.

The beastie is only fat if the ribs cannot be felt or are "muffled" under the coat.  If they are sharp, its too thin, if they are rounded its just right.

Go with your instinct.

There are the risks that go along with keeping pups chubby/fat though, and a coat will keep a lean healthy pup warm :)