Couple things
From: upchic
Subject: Nutrition
Date/Time 2006-10-29 23:53:22
Remote IP: 24.118.213.73
Message
No matter the size of the dog, if you can't feel their ribs easily (ie you don't need to push in through a bunch of fat) then your dogs are overweight. My dog could easily get over 100lbs if I let her, but for her health and to help her joints I keep her at a good weight (ie I can feel her ribs easily, but can't see them).
My dog from top of shoulder to the floor is 28" Not sure how long she is (I can't find my tape measurer righ not the height I measured earlier), but I am 60" tall and when she is on her back legs she can look me straight in the eyes (ie she is probably very close to the size of your dog). The joint issues is all the more reason for you to help her loose weight. If you can't feel her ribs she needs to loose weight. Also if she has joint issue you should either feed her food with glucosamine chondrontin or give her supplements of it. I know from personal experience on myself and with my dog it helps.
Your yorkie if it has bad teeth should be getting dental cleanings twice a year. Small dogs are nutorious for having bad teeth. I heard that it is becuase they have the same amount of bacteria as a large dog in their mouth. Dental health is very important for your dogs. The bacteria that causes dental tartar gets into the blood system from gingivitis and is filtered out in the heart and kidneys (ie it can lead to heart murmurs and kidney disease).
As I said about 90% of dogs are overweight or obese and owners don't want to hear it. You can do with my advice with what you want, but what I have told you comes straight out of the book and what I have been doing for my dog and cat. Remember my dog has hip dysplasia and that doesn't stop her from running with me every morning or playing ect, and she is turning 5 next month. The only time she showed signs of slowing down is when we were living with my family and they would feed her treats All the time. They acutally used to get bags of chips that she could eat and give her a couple of hands fulls at a time. She got up to 85lbs I think. She started to limp and having problems. I told them that was enough. Got her weight back down now she no longer shows any sign of pain. Good luck.
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