Low cal treats?

[qhawkins]

I need some ideas for low calorie treats. My parents Nottweiler (beagle) is getting very fat. I am going to push harder for a change in kibble, she gets Iams. I may just buy a bag of Healthwise weight loss for her. Anyway, she really doesn't get too much kibble, the problem is my father gives her huge quantities of treats. And, of course, these are usually the nasty grocery store variety. Mostly "Beggin' Strips" and "T-Bonz." My mother has pushed the issue on treating and he is trying to cut back. I figure it is easier to improve the treats than try to retrain Dad. I've suggested carrots, but 1) Dad doesn't see them as treats, and 2) at the rate he hands out treats (Mom says he usually gives about 15 treats per evening - Yikes!) even carrots wouldn't be that healthy. So, any ideas would be very welcome. I will even make treats for her if that is what it takes. I don't want to see this dog's life cut short by obesity.

[spidey]

There's some evidence that weight-loss foods don't work very well, that it's best to just cut down on the regular food (in this case, the dog doesn't need a weight-loss diet, she just needs to stop getting treats all the time). I think your dad needs to figure out that he must stop giving the dog treats, I don't think finding low-cal treats will help if he thinks that carrots aren't treats, and odds are he'll just feed more of the low-cal treats, which is just as bad - the problem is one of his perception of things, not what he actually feeds the dog.

Here's a suggestion: after breakfast, put the rest of the dog's daily food ration into a container, and treat her from that - and whatever's left at the end of the day is dinner. Guilt very often just doesn't work in overfeeding cases, since the owner doesn't perceive what they're doing as harmful to the animal no matter how much you explain it to them. Perhaps print out a doggie weight chart with pictures, so that your dad can see how overweight the dog is, perhaps also print out a list of the health problems associated with obesity. Sadly, many owners associate food with love, and don't see that they're killing their pets - overfeeding isn't kindness, it's torture. Good luck.

[mmgy]

I like spidey's suggestion, but if dad just has to have something different, there is a product called Liver Biscotti. It is designed as a training treat for big dogs, but makes a great 2 calorie treat for little dogs. It is literally a liver flavored biscotti, and is shaped like a small salad crouton. Don't tell dad it's low-cal though.

M2

[rottsnroses]

Charlie Bear treats! Each has only 3 calories and dogs love them! I get them from JB Pet

[Judi W]

Keep in mind that if you tell him you have a special low cal treat he'll just give 3 times as many. I like the idea of dinner as treats....

Why is he doing this? Does he have Jewish mother complex? Why not give him a ball to throw for the dog instead of treats. Good for both of them.

"Dad, want to give something to the dog?" "how about a ball?"

[qhawkins]

I agree 100% with Spidey, but I've known Dad 30+ yrs (never mind how many +) and he isn't going to change. Mom is cracking down on him and has set a limit to the number of treats, of course we all know Dad is going to sneak in a few extra.

Spidey - I don't put much stock in the "diet" dog foods either. I'm just thinking it might be a good ploy to get the poor thing off of Iams. "Mom, you really shouldn't be feeding Iams, there are much better foods out there." "Yea, but it's so convenient." "Well, Pokie really needs to lose weight, so let's try this 'Healthwise Weight Loss'." Well it's worth a try.

Judi W - Not exactly a Jewish mother thing, more of a "I want a snack, I shouldn't have a snack, oh look the dog wants a treat, here ya go!" type of thing. Dad is overweight and diabetic so he is supposed to be dieting. I think he projects his hunger onto the dog, and what dog would argue? :(

I will try some of these suggestions, but I won't tell Dad they are low cal.

Thanks for your input.:D