I shared a post back in January about how my binge eating disorder has made Chuy an overweight dog. It’s hard enough struggling with my own weight issues, so when the vet officially declared Chuy as overweight, I was devastated. I knew he was looking a little chunky but actually hearing this from a professional made it sting. It made me feel like I wasn’t a good enough pet parent and that I allowed my bad habits to become part of my pet’s lifestyle. I haven’t checked in on this specific topic in awhile so I wanted to share what I am doing to get Chuy back on track to a healthy lifestyle.
Admitting is the First Step
Admitting there is a problem is always the hardest thing to do. Am I right? It isn’t easy to admit that your pet is overweight and that you are partly to blame for that. However, admitting there is a problem and then creating a plan of attack is half the battle! After I started doing some research, I realized that Chuy and I are not alone in the battle of the bulge! Here are a few of the statistics I found:
- In the US, 53% of dogs and 55% of cats are now overweight or obese.
- Over the last five years the incidence of overweight or obese dogs has increased by almost 40% in the US.
- Over the same time period the number of overweight or obese cats has increased by an astonishing 90%.
So how did we get here? Chuy is the king of giving you “the look” when we are eating dinner. I, like many other pet parents was raised with the “food is love” mentality so I naturally passed that on to Chuy. It’s so hard to not give him an extra treat or a piece of human food when he gives you those irresistible puppy dog eyes! Now that I’m educated about overweight dogs, I can put together a plan to get Chuy back into a healthy lifestyle.
A New Feeding Plan with Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution
After much thought and discussion with our vet about Chuy’s weight, she recommended that we put him on . Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution is clinically proven nutrition that naturally activates metabolism to burn fat and regulate appetite. If you are on the fence about whether or not this food will work for your pet, I recommend checking out the video, One Big Kitty.
Chuy’s Weight Loss Plan
The vet printed out a chart from Hill’s that shows us Chuy’s starting weight and his goal weight. He weighed in at 11.5 lbs and the vet wants him down to 8.5 lbs. It doesn’t seem like much but when you’re a Chihuahua every ounce counts! They also gave us a sheet with how much to feed Chuy. I’ve been feeding him 1/3 cup in the morning and 1/3 at dinner. In the past, we had an issue with Chuy not eating his food when we would give it to him. Since we started the Metabolic diet, he eats every last piece when he gets his food!
Stay Tuned and Watch Our Progress!
Chuy and I both are on a journey to a healthier lifestyle. I just wish I had someone that portioned out my food every day and didn’t let me near the fridge! A girl can dream, right?! According to Hill’s, 88% of pets lost weight in two months at home with no major changes other than eating the food.
However, Chuy and I are going to step it up a bit and try to get in daily walks outside now that it’s actually warming up! Each month we will share our weight loss progress with you. Even though we haven’t officially weighed Chuy since he started his diet, I can tell he’s lost weight. His neck appears thinner and his waist line is coming back!
Giveaway!
For your pet’s opportunity to try Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution for free we’re giving away 10 Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution trial kits with your veterinarian’s authorization. It’s a $70 value! You can choose from the canine or feline kit which includes:
• 1 Weight Loss Success Tote Bag
• 1 Weight Loss Success Guide
• 1 6lb bag of Metabolic dry dog food OR 1 4lb bag of Metabolic dry cat food
• 2 (13oz) Metabolic cans OR 2 (5.5oz) Metabolic feline cans
• 1 (16oz) Metabolic treats OR 1 (2.5oz) Metabolic feline treats
• (2) $25 coupons
How to Enter the Giveaway
To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post and tell us about your pet who can benefit from Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution. Be sure to include all of the required information below:
- What is your pet: dog or cat
- Pet’s age
- Pet’s current weight or close guess
- Your name
- Your email address
Just like us, before starting a weight loss program a doctor should be consulted. Your veterinarian’s authorization is required before starting Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution food. This giveaway is limited to one winner per household and is for U.S. residents only. Be sure to use a valid email when leaving your comment so we can contact if you are chosen as a winner. The giveaways ends on April 27th, 2014. Good luck!
This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Food, but Irresistible Pets only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
Britany says
This is such a concern for me! I feel like the tiniest weight my 3 year old yorkie puts on is a huge amount. You wouldn’t think 10 pounds is overweight but when they’re supposed to weight 7, it’s a lot!
Beth says
It is always hard to admit when I am part of the problem. It was easy to see that Theo was overweight because he was when I met him, but I really thought Sophie was fine. It made me feel terrible to think that I was putting her health at risk. Hopefully this campaign will help other people get their pets to a healthier weight!
Heidi Watkins says
Jameson is a 5yr old spayed female who weighed 20.6lbs. She recently went to the vet. I have placed her on weight loss food but am a difficulty with her weight loss
cheryl s says
◾What is your pet: dog
◾Pet’s age 12
◾Pet’s current weight or close guess 52
Kristy is my senior springer girl – she can use to lose a couple pounds – she’s not overweight but could trim down a bit.
Amanda Yantos says
It’s so brave of you to share your journey with us! Just one more reason why I love reading your blog! So happy Chuy is thriving and has an amazing mom like you! My cat Sadie is overweight and I have a hard time keeping her lean because she’s super tiny for a domestic calico. I rescued her from a hoarding situation and she was underdeveloped. Sadie is also polydactyl, so she has 22 toes! Ideally, she should be around 7lbs but she’s about 10. It’s not a lot to lose, but those few pounds are a LOT for a small animal. I love Hill’s Science Diet but have yet to try this kind! Sadie is 3 years old and we’d love to give this a try!
Thanks for all you do!
Lisa Bourlier says
I also have a slightly overweight Chihuahua who could benefit from this. Rico’s current weight is 13lbs.
Pamela Bodensieck says
Tanner has been with me now for under a year now and has gained 5 pounds bringing his weight to 10 1/2 pounds. He is a rescued 4 year old min pin mix who was terribly abused starved to near deathand has lost much of his teeth. He actually acts like he 9 and to get him to eat has been difficult. I am so glad that Tanner and I are on a 10 week turn around because I just know deep inside him there is a little man that wants to be a 4 year old dog but with the weight he’s gaining that little man ain’t going to come out. I have been a bad mother too because I have been feeding him people food until a week ago only because he would eat nothing but. Our first week has not gone so well and Tanner feels sad because he won’t eat the won’t eat the wonderful #ScienceDiet food yet! Baby steps this process is going take he did eat a treat that I separated for him. When I laid my eyes on Tanner I knew he was the one for me as he was broken and mending so was I from a horrible and painful disease called CRPS. All he wanted was love and all I wanted was him to help me heal and deal. We were meant for each other!
Elizabeth says
Ok, 9yr old male cat, Tucker, 12 lbs… I think. I just took him to the vet, last time was about 6 yrs ago, and I ended up having to get two teeth removed. This was thanks to me having no earthly idea that brushing your kitty cats teeth was essential to its health. The vet said he could stand to lose a lb or two as well 🙂 BTW, apparently all animals need regular dental care, even my stinky ferrets! Yes Aimee, I have ferrets, we have much to catch up on! Bottom line is I have become paranoid about Tucks health. A healthy diet is what I need for my friend before his weight gets out of control like his teeth did!
Cameron says
Mitzi is a 4 year old Tabby Cat. She was a neighborhood stray found by my aunt’s house when she was a year old. Despite being a stray, she was overweight even then. She currently weighs 16.8 lbs, but the vet would like her to be between 10-11 lbs, due to her small frame. Last month she had surgery to repair her patella, which was popping out of place due to pressure of her weight on her joints. We have started the 10 Week Turnaround to start her road towards a healthy lifestyle.
Pam H. says
Titus is a pug who really enjoys eating. I have a husky and a shepherd mix who often have a pug eating out of their bowl. No wonder they are at their ideal weights. Titus is like a vacuum, scooping up anything that hits the floor.
What is your pet: dog
Pet’s age: 8
Pet’s current weight or close guess: 24 lbs
Emi says
cat
12 years
20 pounds
Emi
etotschinger at yahoo dot com
She is getting old and slowing down so she could lose some weight but we also have a fat mutt dog too.
Deb K says
My Sonnie is a yorkie and is a tad bit overweight by about 3 pounds. It may be the treats that he likes so much 🙂
Wehaf says
My friends dog Bee is a ten-year-old mixed breed dog. She should weight around 35 lbs., but I think she’s at least 50. She has bad joints and some anxiety, so it’s hard to get her enough exercise. I bet she’d be happier and in less pain if she lost a few pounds!
Connie Tillman says
I have a 2 year old German Shepherd/Cattle Dog mix named Runt. Since it was so cold this winter we were unable to get her out side as much as we would have liked. She currently weighs 45 lbs about 10 lbs over where she should.
natalie yeoman says
pets name : seven
pets age : 11
pets weight : 100
natalie yeoman
freebies_samples@aol.com
Monique Bon says
Pet:dog
Age : 6
Weight or close enough : 50
He is really overweight. Ever since we neutered him, he’s been really lazy & doesn’t wanna do a thing. He us just not active anymore,
deanna says
I have a 5 year old JRT dog. She weighs 23lbs. The vet told me she needs to lose a couple pounds.
Nesca Crespo says
We have two cats here at home. Rusty is a 1 year old maine coon mix and is a healthy boy but Peeper is a 3 year old american shorthair black kitty. She has girth to her. She was so skinny before but plumped up after her spaying a year and half ago. It’s tough to keep her weight in check. She is kind of reclusive and sits in one bedroom and lays in the bed most of the day. She is FIV positive but I don’t think its affecting her weight. She just isn’t active much at all. I really am not sure on her weight at all but getting her to sit still on a scale would be asking for me to get swatted at. I do feel bad for her and wish she would be more active so she could lose some weight. There is the other problem of Rusty being dominant and harassing her everyday especially when she tries to come downstairs because he feels that is his domain. It’s rough but I couldn’t imagine getting rid of either cat. They are very much apart of the family and will have to try and put up with eachother. I think this would be a good food for both of them and they would love to try it. They both have never been picky with food and are great eaters.
My name is Nesca Crespo and my email is Worldofwarcraftprincess@yahoo.com
liza v says
What is your pet: dog pitbull lab cross
Pet’s age 3 1/2
Pet’s close guess 80 lbs
Your name liza vladyka
Your email address myflower121870[at]gmail[dot]com
Jacqueline says
My dog, Oscar, is 10 years old and used to weigh 17-18lbs. He weighed in at the vets last time at 24.3 pounds! I was shocked and so disappointed with myself. I noticed he got a bit pudgy, but that’s a LOT of extra weight for a senior dog! He goes for walks and we hang out at the dog park a few times a week, but he needs to lay off the people food and start eating healthy dog food!
Kassie says
I have two dogs one is Sebastian, a 15 year old Lhasa Apso, and the other is a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua named Cooper who will be turning 5 in June. He’s the one who needs to shed a couple of pounds. He currently weighs 25!
Kassie – kassieharris @ charter . net
Les Johnson says
We have a 3 year old English Mastiff named Jasmine. As you can guess, she is a big dog. She currently weighs 165 lbs., but the vet said she needs to be closer to 155.
Les Johnson
katja9_10 @hotmail dot com
Sherri Lewis says
Our middle cat Charlie could definitely use this. When we took him to the vet for his annual visit last week, he weighed in at 18 pounds…. Charlie turns 3 on Sunday!
leslie roberts says
My little Bella is an 18 month old, 65 pound playful yellow lab/pit. My name is Leslie Roberts, and my Email is taxilady66@yahoo.com
Pamela j says
My dog is about ten and weighs about 90lbs. He’sa little bit heavy.
Thanks!
pjames330 at aol dot com
allyson tice says
My dogs name is Daisy! She is 4 years young and we have had her 2 years. She is a bit overweight for a pit bull terrier mix.. currently she is 85 pounds when she should be about 70!
ambre w. says
What is your pet: dog
Pet’s age: 2
Pet’s current weight or close guess: 14lbs
Shawn A says
Cooper our 6 year old mixed breed always seems to get heavier over the winter months, lack of exercise and shorter walks in the cold and snow. We do not always feed him what we should either. He weighs over 70 lbs. and I know that is too much.
Shawn A
shawn113(at)hotmail(dot)com
Michele Pineda says
My cat Stubby is 6 yrs old, and weighs 13.8 lbs according to his last vet visit a few months ago. My other cat Shadow is about 13 years old now, and weighs around 15 pounds I would guesstimate, since he hasn’t had his yearly vet appointment yet!
cassandra says
What is your pet: Dog –Chihuahua
Pet’s age: 3 years old
Pet’s current weight or close guess: 9 lbs
Your name: Cassandra
Your email address: pinkmint@oultook.com
kenneth says
What is your pet: Cat
Pet’s age: 5 years old
Pet’s current weight or close guess: 10 lbs
Your name: kenneth
Your email address: kencanepa@oultook.com
kenneth says
outlook.com **
Amy Honious says
I have a kitty named ‘Soupy’ (as in lays like a bag of). He is 5 years old and weighs close to 30 pounds. He is a large cat to begin with, but he is quite overweight. We did get him a ‘sissy’ who loves to play. Exercise is good, but I think that this food would help also. Thanks for the very nice and extremely useful giveaway.
Amy Honious
hmama piggy at aol dot com
Danielle Jones says
We have a dog that is about 10 yrs old. He was adopted from the local shelter and is some type of lab mix. I think she weighs about 70lbs.
Kristie D. says
I have a cat named DIxie. I think she is over 15 pounds and last time she saw he vet one of the things she said was “recommended weight loss.” Wowza! She is about 12. My name is Kristie. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Kathryn C says
my Callie is a 6 year old Maine coon Cat – already 12 lbs and still growing it seems
Kathryn
kacor7 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com
Dawn Hecke says
What is your pet: dog (miniature pinscher)
Pet’s age:5
Pet’s current weight or close guess:25 lbs.
Your name: Dawn Hecke
Your email address: dawnhecke@att.net
Nailah Bone says
Admitting there’s a problem is definitely the hardest thing to do. Our stories are very similar though it’s my kitty that needs to lose weight, not Nailah (though she did a while back). I’m glad to hear the food is working for you guys, we haven’t been on it for long so I can’t say if it’s done anything or not but I’m hoping it’ll work for us too! 🙂