Dr. Lisa is a trained veterinarian at Malibu Animal Hospital. She can answer your questions about cats, dogs and other household pets, including exotic animals. Sorry, but Dr. Lisa can't offer advice on horses, bears, elephants or other large beasts -- you're on your own!

Keeping our dog trim

Our 4 year old pit bull has always been very muscular and slim -- she's on the small side for her breed and now weighs around 50 lbs., but she's starting to gain a little fat. We feed her only dry food (lamb and rice formula) and my husband gives her occassional table scraps of chicken, fish and a little meat. She's never been a dog who lived to eat -- she would much rather play ball than beg for food. She gets plenty of daily exercise and sometimes hikes with us on the weekends The last time we took her to the vet, he told us we needed to be careful she didn't gain any more weight. What can we do to keep her trim? I know it's important as she gets older.

by cuteLA_BBW

Thanks!

Weight Control by

I would first suggest that you check the fat content of your current dog food. Just as with us, she needs a food that is calorie restrictive and higher in fiber. She feels full, but is leaving the fat behind. The other part is increasing the exercise, but it sounds like she is very active. But she needs to be "aerobic" at least 20-30 minutes continually, before she begins to burn fat. The fish and chicken table scraps, seem ok, unless they are cooked in butter or another type of fat.
Good Luck..... Dr. Lisa

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