Please Help, Super Ted needs to loose some weight!

[PinkEmily]

What food should i give him if i put him on a diet. Hes getting quite big now and its starting to worry me

[Spuds Mum]

Hi pinkEmily,

Basically I would cut out all unhealthy fattening treats (nuts, yoghurt drops, those honey sticks) and just stick to his plain regular food. You can also still give vegetables, but also keep an eye on his 'hoard' you ideally want his stash to be as small as possible, without causing him stress, so that he is eating a balanced diet, but not having food to gorge on...

...ahhh if only someone would take me in hand too - empty my fridge and put healthy meals in front of me 3 times a day!

[Holly]

How much does he actually weigh, what type is he and how old? Is he definitely fat and not just "nicely rounded" now he's all grown up?

[PinkEmily]

Ive stopped giving him yoghurt drops etc a while ago incase he got diabeties. I dont think he eats as much as Dale either, who has lost a bit of weight.

Hes a russian dwarf about 7 months old, not sure what his weight is now, will have to try and find some scales to weigh him. Last time he went the vets the vet said he was overweight but im sure hes put more weight on since

[PinkEmily]

found out his weight now, 61grams with a couple of nuts in his mouth at the time

What weight should he be on average?

[Spuds Mum]

I dont really know a lot about dwarves pinkemily, but that doesn't sound huge to me. Maybe others will be able to give more idea?

[souffle]

That is a perfectly normal weight for a dwarf. An adult would average from 60-70g though like all anmals there is a large variation in weights in a healthy animal. I would not put him on a diet and keep feeding as you have been doing.

[PinkEmily]

phew, thanks for the replies. Im just so used to him being small, its like he grew overnight.

[souffle]

A very sudden increase in weight can indicate something is amiss pinkemily so always be aware that if that happens you should see a vet. Ted may have become a bit swollen with his infection which is now being treated so hopefully he will be fine now and may go down a bit which would be OK as long as he is bright and happy in himself. With a female a suddenlt swollen tummy and weight increase can mean a pyometra or a tumour. It is great that you are so aware of any changes and can get help quickly.

[PinkEmily]

it may be because of his infection then. I did mention it to the vet today but he didnt really think anything of it. will keep an eye on it and see if it gets any worse. Thanks for the advice, i dont know what i would do without this forum.