Are we feeding enough? - Spoiled Maltese - the largest maltese dog forum and website

**JackStraw** · 03-30-2009, 09:52 AM

We feed Bess twice a day- in the morning around 8am and at night at 6pm. 1/3 cup.

She weighs 6.5-7lbs. Our vet told us she needed to lose a pound, which she has. She's not fat by any means, but the doc said it's better on her knees if she stays at her current weight.

The problem is she seems to be begging for food more now. She wakes up at 6am and wakes us up. She starts begging for dinner around 4:30pm.

The only treats we give are tiny training bits when the dogs go out and poop. We also give her a tbs of yogurt daily.

We feed her Science Diet for Seniors. I think it's the weight management one.

Hunter's Mom · 03-30-2009, 11:21 AM

I would think you are feeding enough....have you talked to your vet? Hunter gets 1/4 each morning and night as well as a few small treats (some training some not). He is 12 pounds and needs to go down to 10 for his knees as well. We were feeding more than 1/4 cup and were told to go down to 1/4 cup. I think asking your vest is the best thing you could do as they can monitor Bessa.

Also, increasing exercise is a great way to help drop a little weight off your pooch

LadysMom · 03-30-2009, 11:57 AM

Bess sounds like my Lady! She was two pounds overweight which is obese on a Maltese and became diabetic when she was seven years old as a result. Then I had to get the weight off her. Lady is one of those "lives to eat" dogs so it was a challenge.

Green beans saved us! Frozen cut green beans slightly thawed are a delicacy for dogs, believe it or not. They are high in fiber so they fill them up, too. I cut them up and put them in a Busy Buddy Twist & Treat so it made them even more special.

Does Bess eat kibble? If so, you could try putting her kibble in a Buster Cube. I did that for years with Lady to keep her from inhaling her food. They tell people to eat slowly so your brain get a chance to realize that you are full, so I figured the same thing would apply to dogs. Again, it also made it fun for Lady to chase her food around!

**dwerten** · 03-30-2009, 01:03 PM

my two yorkies are like this always act like they are starving so put steamed green beans on food as it is very filling but keeping the weight down is so important for everything for them so try the green beans

QUOTE (JackStraw @ Mar 30 2009, 08:52 AM)

Quote:

We feed Bess twice a day- in the morning around 8am and at night at 6pm. 1/3 cup.

She weighs 6.5-7lbs. Our vet told us she needed to lose a pound, which she has. She's not fat by any means, but the doc said it's better on her knees if she stays at her current weight.

The problem is she seems to be begging for food more now. She wakes up at 6am and wakes us up. She starts begging for dinner around 4:30pm.

The only treats we give are tiny training bits when the dogs go out and poop. We also give her a tbs of yogurt daily.

We feed her Science Diet for Seniors. I think it's the weight management one.[/B]

momtoboo · 03-30-2009, 01:20 PM

Boo & Hannah act like their starving all the time too. I know they're not,they both could stand to lose a bit. They just love to eat.

I found nemo · 03-30-2009, 02:48 PM

QUOTE (momtoboo @ Mar 30 2009, 12:20 PM)

Quote:

Boo & Hannah act like their starving all the time too. I know they're not,they both could stand to lose a bit. They just love to eat.[/B]

Nemo also!!

**Carole** · 03-30-2009, 04:10 PM

Food isn't EVERYTHING for Krista...TOYS are the thing Krista loves BEST....but BELLA just LOVES her CHOW. After they both eat Bella always goes over to Krista's bowl to see if she saved anything for her. It tugs the heart when she seem to want.... "More Mom"....and I have to go

**vjw** · 03-30-2009, 04:29 PM

Does the Vet. know about the increased hunger? There's several medical conditions which can cause polyphagia and I think I'd want to be assured these medical conditions are ruled out especially since she's a nine year old.

Joy

PreciousPrince · 03-30-2009, 09:25 PM

You said she seems to be begging for more food now. I'm wondering why now. She already lost her weight so I'm guessing she hasn't just been put on a diet?

My suggestion would be to get her on a really good food. Science diet isn't - it has a lot of fillers, and could be why she is feeling so hungry.
I'm not saying it will cure the problem - my parents have a Bichon who is on a good food but acts like he is starving all the time, and has always been that way. He tries to trick you into thinking he hasn't already just been fed by someone else - but I do think it will help for her to be on a more nutrient dense food that her body can utilize better. Also try splitting the meals up and giving some of it around lunch time and some before bed too - they do that for Andre and it helps.

dr.jaimie · 03-30-2009, 10:14 PM

i would have a senior panel of blood work run to rule out thyroid and cushings among other diseases that can cause an increase in hunger

03-30-2009, 11:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hunter's Mom Maltese Guru Name: Erin Dog's Name: Hunter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 3,664	I would think you are feeding enough....have you talked to your vet? Hunter gets 1/4 each morning and night as well as a few small treats (some training some not). He is 12 pounds and needs to go down to 10 for his knees as well. We were feeding more than 1/4 cup and were told to go down to 1/4 cup. I think asking your vest is the best thing you could do as they can monitor Bessa. Also, increasing exercise is a great way to help drop a little weight off your pooch __________________ Hunter's Paws - Reviews of Trinkets and Treats for Small Male Dogs

03-30-2009, 11:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
LadysMom Maltese Guru Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 12,448	Bess sounds like my Lady! She was two pounds overweight which is obese on a Maltese and became diabetic when she was seven years old as a result. Then I had to get the weight off her. Lady is one of those "lives to eat" dogs so it was a challenge. Green beans saved us! Frozen cut green beans slightly thawed are a delicacy for dogs, believe it or not. They are high in fiber so they fill them up, too. I cut them up and put them in a Busy Buddy Twist & Treat so it made them even more special. Does Bess eat kibble? If so, you could try putting her kibble in a Buster Cube. I did that for years with Lady to keep her from inhaling her food. They tell people to eat slowly so your brain get a chance to realize that you are full, so I figured the same thing would apply to dogs. Again, it also made it fun for Lady to chase her food around! __________________ Marj & Lady http://www.myladysdogbows.com/

03-30-2009, 01:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
momtoboo Maltese Guru Name: Sue Dog's Name: Boo & Hannah Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southern Ky Posts: 10,126	Boo & Hannah act like their starving all the time too. I know they're not,they both could stand to lose a bit. They just love to eat. __________________

03-30-2009, 04:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Carole Maltese Guru Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 1,398	Food isn't EVERYTHING for Krista...TOYS are the thing Krista loves BEST....but BELLA just LOVES her CHOW. After they both eat Bella always goes over to Krista's bowl to see if she saved anything for her. It tugs the heart when she seem to want.... "More Mom"....and I have to go __________________ ~Bella and Krista at Christmastime~

03-30-2009, 10:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
dr.jaimie Maltese Guru Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bossier City, Louisiana Posts: 7,664	i would have a senior panel of blood work run to rule out thyroid and cushings among other diseases that can cause an increase in hunger __________________ <span style="color:#999900"><span style="font-family:Optima"><span style="color:blue">"Personally, I have always felt the best doctor in the world is the Veterinarian. He can't ask his patients what's the matter. He's just got to know." -Will Rogers</span>

03-30-2009, 09:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
JackStraw Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 116	We feed Bess twice a day- in the morning around 8am and at night at 6pm. 1/3 cup. She weighs 6.5-7lbs. Our vet told us she needed to lose a pound, which she has. She's not fat by any means, but the doc said it's better on her knees if she stays at her current weight. The problem is she seems to be begging for food more now. She wakes up at 6am and wakes us up. She starts begging for dinner around 4:30pm. The only treats we give are tiny training bits when the dogs go out and poop. We also give her a tbs of yogurt daily. We feed her Science Diet for Seniors. I think it's the weight management one.

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03-30-2009, 04:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
vjw Maltese Guru Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,885	Does the Vet. know about the increased hunger? There's several medical conditions which can cause polyphagia and I think I'd want to be assured these medical conditions are ruled out especially since she's a nine year old. Joy

03-30-2009, 09:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
PreciousPrince Maltese Guru Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 3,299	You said she seems to be begging for more food now. I'm wondering why now. She already lost her weight so I'm guessing she hasn't just been put on a diet? My suggestion would be to get her on a really good food. Science diet isn't - it has a lot of fillers, and could be why she is feeling so hungry. I'm not saying it will cure the problem - my parents have a Bichon who is on a good food but acts like he is starving all the time, and has always been that way. He tries to trick you into thinking he hasn't already just been fed by someone else - but I do think it will help for her to be on a more nutrient dense food that her body can utilize better. Also try splitting the meals up and giving some of it around lunch time and some before bed too - they do that for Andre and it helps.