I'm sure this topic must have been discussed before, but I myself haven't seen slimming regime "threads" in the racing section. I'd like advice on how to get a couple of pounds off a whippet QUICKLY when you plan to enter the dog in races, safely and without reducing the dog's energy levels.
My pedigree whippet is 30 months old, 21 inches tall and weights approx. 32 lbs. He is also voracious (much more food-obsessed than my other dog). When he was 10 months old, the first summer I took him to races, the pup was weighing in at around 29 pounds. Last summer at races, he weighed in at 32 lbs. He looked well-covered and people told me he could easily afford to lose a pound or two to reduce his handicap. I'm also worried that he could so easily tip the scales at just over the mark and not be allowed to race.
The last two times I've been to the vets with my dogs, I took the opportunity to weigh the whippet and he has weighed in at 14.4 kg (about 31.85 lb) and 14.7 kg (about 32.35 lb!). I don't think he looks heavier; I think he looks fine but it wouldn't hurt him physically to loose a pound. (I wish he was shorter too, but let's concentrate on the things we CAN change!)
In another section, someone suggested green beans for weight loss (filling but low calorie). I don't know how much you can reduce the normal feeding without adverse effects. My dogs do get training treats (small hard dog biscuits) and are quick to forage food off the ground when they are off lead in the parks; I find it hard to reduce their between-meal snacking!
My pedigree whippet is 30 months old, 21 inches tall and weights approx. 32 lbs. He is also voracious (much more food-obsessed than my other dog). When he was 10 months old, the first summer I took him to races, the pup was weighing in at around 29 pounds. Last summer at races, he weighed in at 32 lbs. He looked well-covered and people told me he could easily afford to lose a pound or two to reduce his handicap. I'm also worried that he could so easily tip the scales at just over the mark and not be allowed to race.
The last two times I've been to the vets with my dogs, I took the opportunity to weigh the whippet and he has weighed in at 14.4 kg (about 31.85 lb) and 14.7 kg (about 32.35 lb!). I don't think he looks heavier; I think he looks fine but it wouldn't hurt him physically to loose a pound. (I wish he was shorter too, but let's concentrate on the things we CAN change!)
In another section, someone suggested green beans for weight loss (filling but low calorie). I don't know how much you can reduce the normal feeding without adverse effects. My dogs do get training treats (small hard dog biscuits) and are quick to forage food off the ground when they are off lead in the parks; I find it hard to reduce their between-meal snacking!
