Lila won't stop begging for food

[lauraann57]

Hi. Last month when we went to visit the vet, he was concerned that Lila kept inching up in weight and didn't want it to become a trend. So I put her on a diet. Now at night she goes to her bowl and keeps scratching it over and over for hours wanting more food. I don't cave but my husband will give her a little bit more of dry food. Could we be not giving her enough? She's not considered overweight, but if she continues with this trend she may become overweight.

Also as another caveat, when we go out of town, our friends with 4 chihuahuas watch her, and she never begs for more food with them. I think they feed her less than we do.

Should we just ignore her?

[princessizzy]

What kind of food is she on? Make sure it's a good one with a high quality protien..then if she's still hungry you can try giving her some carrot sticks green bean or pure pumpkin to fill her up

[princessizzy]

Originally Posted by lauraann57

Hi. Last month when we went to visit the vet, he was concerned that Lila kept inching up in weight and didn't want it to become a trend. So I put her on a diet. Now at night she goes to her bowl and keeps scratching it over and over for hours wanting more food. I don't cave but my husband will give her a little bit more of dry food. Could we be not giving her enough? She's not considered overweight, but if she continues with this trend she may become overweight.

Also as another caveat, when we go out of town, our friends with 4 chihuahuas watch her, and she never begs for more food with them. I think they feed her less than we do.

Should we just ignore her?

By the Way... your baby is adorable

[143julz]

We give Dudley 1/8 of a cup three times a day. He's just over 2yr and weighs 5 lbs.

I LOVE YOUR PIC!!

[lauraann57]

Thanks for the suggestions. We just got her Merrick Grammy's Pot Pie. That could be the problem. I usually do get her one that mostly protein. But she does happen to love carrots so that could be a good compromise. I may try both of your suggestions and change the food and try feeding her 3 smaller meals instead of 2. She's our baby and it's too hard to tell her no.

[Britster]

I've heard people give their dogs needing to be on a diet green beans in their food, because it satisfies them and fills them up and is healthy!

Jackson is 15lbs and typically eats 1/2 cup a day of food, plus wet food, and treats throughout the day. He eats Acana, just for comparison.

[Maximo]

I agree with Brit, try green beans to supplement diet. Use the frozen, no added salt (Bird's Eye is a good brand). Microwave in a little water and cool with cold water. Cut up in small pieces.

I tried fresh green beans with my boys, but they are more difficult to digest.

Your photograph is gorgeous!

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by lauraann57

Hi. Last month when we went to visit the vet, he was concerned that Lila kept inching up in weight and didn't want it to become a trend. So I put her on a diet. Now at night she goes to her bowl and keeps scratching it over and over for hours wanting more food. I don't cave but my husband will give her a little bit more of dry food. Could we be not giving her enough? She's not considered overweight, but if she continues with this trend she may become overweight.

Also as another caveat, when we go out of town, our friends with 4 chihuahuas watch her, and she never begs for more food with them. I think they feed her less than we do.

Should we just ignore her?

Dogs are smart. She knows it isn't going to work with your friends, so she doesn't even try. I'd say she's got you well trained.

My dogs know how to work my dad. They do things they would never do with me. On the opposite side, I have inadvertently trained a friend's dogs to bark for treats every time I walk through the door-and I am the ONLY person they do it to.

[lauraann57]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

Dogs are smart. She knows it isn't going to work with your friends, so she doesn't even try. I'd say she's got you well trained.

My dogs know how to work my dad. They do things they would never do with me. On the opposite side, I have inadvertently trained a friend's dogs to bark for treats every time I walk through the door-and I am the ONLY person they do it to.

I completely agree with you that she has us well trained. Lila's dad came home late last night and she didn't beg at all. But when she needs to be held and loved she knows I'll cave, so she barks at me when that's what she wants. When we tell her no or scold her, it is followed with kisses. So all of are friends are like, "Really? That's her punishment?" She knows how to work it. Luckily she rarely misbehaves.

[Zeus08]

Maybe try to put her bowl up on the counter when she is done eating. Also, I recommend adding green beans to her food to fill her up.

I love the picture of the three of you! What a great idea.

[Patti]

My 3 are always hungry and 2 of them are overweight. I switched them to California Natural kibble from wet and they all gained weight. They get 1/8 a cup 3 times a day and a few treats. Pixie drives me crazy during the night until I finally cave and feed them. SO their first meal is at 3-4 am. She has me so trained. I also think they need more exercise but the 2 that are overweigh hate going for walks. I am going to try the green beans, but does it upset their tummies?

[Sweetlips6]

Poor Bonnie is getting "porky". I have tried to cut out some snacking
I feed her NV raw, but just in the past two weeks she acts like she is hungry all the time too. She just goes back several times after she eats and licks the bowl. I feel bad, but I know the vet is going to get on me tomorrow.

[lauraann57]

The green beans are working! She finally stopped scratching her bowl and waking us up in the middle of the night for food. It is a little disturbing that her dinner looks better than mine, but she's worth it. Thanks so much to everyone for the advice.

[Zeus08]

I am so glad the green beans worked!