Hunger and nausea?
Submitted by cohenmh on February 23, 2016 - 8:04pmHi everyone - I have a question about hunger and nausea. Bosco eats one cup of TOTW dry lamb and some TOTW wet in the morning and one cup of the same in the evening. Bosco weighs close to 60 lbs and the vet wants him to lose some weight, it's better for his knees. Anyhow, lately he has seemed really hungry, hunting for that last piece of kibble, barking when a piece of kibble falls behind his bowls. With this hunger, he has seemed nauseous. You know the signs - the slurping and drooling. So, I want him to lose a few lbs per the vet but then he will only hunt even harder for those errant pieces of kibble and be more nauseous. He has a hard time throwing up (that's another story) so we do not want to do anything that could cause him any additional nausea. Any thoughts here? I'm going to take him to the vet this week but my husband and I are living in Ottawa, ON. right now and there are no bulldog doctors anywhere near us. Thanks in advance!
When Chester had to lose weight...
for his acl surgery, we put him on Natural Balance Fat Dog and he lost 11 pounds. It is very low calorie but has decent ingredients and I believe it was around 300 or less calories per cup. You can also add cooked green beans or carrots and a little less kibble. A Pepcid daily will help with nausea, cuts down on the stomach acid. Perhaps you could also cut his two meals into three and space them further apart.
How long did it take Chester to lose the 11 lbs?
Bosco is going to need surgery on his left hind leg sooner rather than later (bad luxating patella) and he weighs about 10 lbs more than he did when he had surgery on his right hind leg. I'll also give the cooked vegetables a try; he just gets so hungry and I really don't want to feed him less.
He lost the total amount...
in about 6 weeks, but you could probably get 5 or more off your guy in a few weeks. We used canned low sodium green beans and used frech carrot slices for treats. The green beans are very filling and low calorie. Sending good thoughts for him.
Fresh veggies work, too
Our dogs love fresh veggies so they get the trimmings from veggies that I prepare, including the ends of zukes and cukes, the chopped stems of fresh greens like kale and cabbage and even a cherry tomato once in a while. If your dog doesn't like these, cook them for a short while in a little no-salt broth and they'll love them.
I agree with what Kathy has said...
And would definitely start giving three meals daily in small portions, adding some green beans or carrots to help him feel full longer.
I have a dog that has some gastric issues, and if I don't feed her at 12 hour increments she will vomit foamy bile. I feed her a treat a couple of times a day, usually a piece of cooked carrot or similar. No calories, just a fuller tummy....
Amy and Sophia
Trying something new...
Hi there - and thank you for chiming in. I think we are going to try changing his food to the one Kathy suggested (the Fat Dog dog food) and adding in some veggies to help bulk it up. And as you said, three meals a day might be better for him. He eats at 12 hour intervals now but maybe he needs food more frequently. We can leave a little bowl of kibble for the dog walker and she can give him that as a snack along with some carrots, that we can cut up and leave in the fridge. Bosco does love his veggies so I have no doubt he will enjoy his new food. Thanks again and I'll let you all know how it goes. I would like to get him down eight lbs, that's my goal :-)
That sounds like a really good plan for him:-)
Please do keep posting on your progress, ok? I'd like to know how he does!
Amy and Sophia
Me too!
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Bosco loves veggies...and some pictures!
He's a bulldog through and through and loves pretty much all food. Lettuce, kale, carrots, peas...you name it he loves it. Cooked and raw, so I'm lucky there. I will let everyone know how he does on his diet - we are hitting the store tomorrow to buy his Fat Dog food so we can start transitioning him on Sunday. Also, I think I finally figured out how to attach pictures so here are some of Bosco, him playing in his leaves, doing his post - operative hydrotherapy, and at the holidays. He is so loving, we just want him healthy and happy :-)
Cute doggie.
What a love.
What a handsome guy!!! I love a nice brindle!
Bosco is a lovely boy!! Thanks so much for sharing his pics with us!
Amy and Sophia
He is adorabull!
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