although being overweight isn't ideal, at their ages, and with food being a simple pleasure for them, i think i'd indulge them. i have a senior great dane that needs to lose a few pounds and we're working on it. it's hard when she looks at me with those soulful eyes and begs for just one more handful of kibble!

I tend to agree with you... you don't want an obese dog... but an elderly dog that is slightly overweight, yet comfortable, isn't a huge problem.

I think my old lab could stand to loose a couple pounds... my vet says she's a well fed pet...she's no longer a sleek hunter, but she's not too fat either.

You can cut back the total amount of food given per day, but divide it into smaller portions so they eat more often. Then they will feel spoiled even more by getting more meals, but be healthier since they will lose weight. Dogs don't really notice when you cut back the amount of food, just in the number of meals, unless they are *really* overfed.

something else you can do, i do this with my senior great dane, is add some canned green beans to her meals. i also give her a special treat during the day, a bowl of green beans. she loves them! there are virtually no calories and they're a good "filler upper". :)

I put some of their daily food into a bowl and when I give them a treat it's a kibble or two and they don't get anything extra that way.Of course this would be hard to do with wet food.