Answer

Hello,

It does sound as if your dog is overweight. Being fat can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and other health problems. In addition, in a short-nosed breed like a pug, being overweight can make breathing more difficult.

It would be a good idea to help your dog gradually lose weight. Weigh her now, so you know the starting point. Feeding a dog properly has to be very individualized because every dog is different. One 38 lb. dog might need 2 cups of food to maintain that weight, while a second dog of the same weight could gain weight on that much food. It will also vary with different brands. A dog may need 2 cups of Royal Canin to maintain her weight, but if change to a different brand, it may need 1 cup, or 3 cups. The best way to keep your dog at the desired weight is to weigh her every week, and adjust her food as needed. If she gains weight, you need to cut back on the food. If she stays the same, cut back, but not as much. If there's a small weight loss, you're on the right track. If she loses too quickly, you'll want to increase the food a little. You'll have to experiment until you find the right amount.

Two meals a day are better than one. Feeding that way keeps the dog from getting uncomfortably hungry. You'll also want to be sure you're feeding a high-quality dog food so she gets plenty of nutrients. There are many quality brands of dog foods. You want one that has specific types of meat in the first couple of ingredients listed, for example “chicken meal,” not “meat meal.” Grains and vegetables should be whole grains and complete vegetables. Fragments, such as brewer’s rice, beet pomace, and gluten are not as nutritious. At the following site, you can find more complete information on choosing a dog food and all aspects of feeding a dog.

http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html

You can also try to increase your dog's exercise. That will be harder since you're limited in your own ability to exercise. See if you can get her to chase a ball or other toy through the house. You may be able to encourage her to play a gentle tug game, too. If you have a friend or family member who has a small dog, perhaps they could get together to play.

If you have more questions, just let me know by clicking on REPLY. I hope you'll be able to help your dog reach a healthy weight.

Anna