Anybody with a Sheltie? Have a question about my pups weight
Anybody with a Sheltie? Have a question about my pups weight
I have a almost 9 month old Sheltie. She is up to date on all shots, vet visits and what not. Our doctor says that she is in perfect health and I am not doubting him but earlier she was laying on my lap which she rarely does because she is so high sprung and I noticed that I can feel her spine and hip bones pretty easily. I know that Shelties were bred as herding dogs so they are supposed to be nice and lean, but is this too much? She has a crazy appetite (I sometimes feel as I am starving her) and has more energy then any dog I have ever seen. She was always alot smaller then the rest of her litter, but I have never had any problems with her to this day. She weighs in at about 14-15lbs and is fed 1 3/4 cups of dry food a day. (usually 3/4 in the morning and 1 cup at night). I have had a problem with her in the past getting "bored" with the food and have had to switch it a few times per the vets request to find something that she likes. I currently have her on Purina One Healthy Weight Formula which she loves (I had a real problem getting her on adult food from puppy food when she was spayed). I am going to wait until she gets down into this bag and I am going to switch to a more natural food as I have heard alot of good things for Shelties in going this route.. I really hate to have made such a long post for such a basic question, but is my sheltie "too skinny" or is this just how they are built?
- Mike
Re: Anybody with a Sheltie? Have a question about my pups we
She could have, and probably should have remained on puppy food until at least 9-10 months of age (or longer depending on her weight, activity level, etc). Starting adult food too soon in a puppy doesn't benefit them for added protein and other nutrients they require during growth and development.
Shelties do tend to be lean, but lean and thin are too different things. If she is below the "ideal" weight seen HERE, then your vet needs to re-evaluate her weight/growth, check muscle mass, etc and ensure she doesn't have a hidden health issue. Switching foods on a constant basis is a no-no. You might actually be encouraging her to be finicky or spoiled and encouraging learned behavior that isn't going to benefit her in the long term.
Check the labeling on the bag of food, and make sure you're feeding at least the recommended amount for her age/weight. You may need to be feeding her slightly more than what the label indicates, it is only a guideline and not exact.
If your vet isn't addressing her weight, nor the food issues, get a new vet! Also ensure she doesn't have internal parasites and is dewormed appropriately (not with OTC stuff etc)
Btw, many of the "natural" claims are not as they seem. There is alot of hype concerning such claims and ingredients with miraculous claims attached to them are oftentimes either not necessary, not proven to be of any benefit, or are in excesses where other nutrients may be deficient. Don't fall for the typical if it looks too good to be true... stuff. Talk to your vet about the diet, ask him to evaluate ingredients/nutrients that benefit your pup per her life stage, activity, growth, essential needs, etc. If he isn't willing to address your concerns, discuss her diet and nutrient requirements and just passes it off, please see a new vet.
Shelties do tend to be lean, but lean and thin are too different things. If she is below the "ideal" weight seen HERE, then your vet needs to re-evaluate her weight/growth, check muscle mass, etc and ensure she doesn't have a hidden health issue. Switching foods on a constant basis is a no-no. You might actually be encouraging her to be finicky or spoiled and encouraging learned behavior that isn't going to benefit her in the long term.
Check the labeling on the bag of food, and make sure you're feeding at least the recommended amount for her age/weight. You may need to be feeding her slightly more than what the label indicates, it is only a guideline and not exact.
If your vet isn't addressing her weight, nor the food issues, get a new vet! Also ensure she doesn't have internal parasites and is dewormed appropriately (not with OTC stuff etc)
Btw, many of the "natural" claims are not as they seem. There is alot of hype concerning such claims and ingredients with miraculous claims attached to them are oftentimes either not necessary, not proven to be of any benefit, or are in excesses where other nutrients may be deficient. Don't fall for the typical if it looks too good to be true... stuff. Talk to your vet about the diet, ask him to evaluate ingredients/nutrients that benefit your pup per her life stage, activity, growth, essential needs, etc. If he isn't willing to address your concerns, discuss her diet and nutrient requirements and just passes it off, please see a new vet.
..........Traci