imo, showing they don't care is failing to research canine nutrition, and just going with what the pet store sales associate tells them......but i guess we will have to disagree there....if you care, you will do the research.....

either way, i said "if they were honestly concerned about health", not "they don't love their dog".

 Quote: jennifer marshal

I know a lot of people that really care but just do not have the knowledge, from being brainwashed by pet store employees and vets.

Not to mention family upbringing..."if you just love 'em."

These folks do care...hopefully they will be open (which I think they will) to a better quality food for this guy.

Michael, thanks for the swimming reminder. We just hit our first real heat wave today and tomorrow will be going out to swim for a bit.

 Quote: mallory kwiatkowski

no matter HOW unhealthy the dog is? if they were honestly concerned about health, they would already be aware of better food, weight loss etc....

This statement about health could be carried over into concerns about dog aggression, containment, vaccination, training, etc. The list is endless.

The owners of that lab may be the next "Newest Members".

I don't feel I am any more concerned about my dog's health than I was before I 86'd vaccination or processed dog food. Better informed, yes. Wasn't even looking for that information when I ACCIDENTLY found this site, either.

 Quote: Mallory Kwiatkowski

imo, showing they don't care is failing to research canine nutrition ..... if you care, you will do the research.....

And then there are those who care so much about their pets that instead of trusting a salesperson at the pet supply store, they pay for a vet visit and ask a medical professional what to feed them.

And what are they likely to end up paying lots of money for and feeding their dogs?

But I'll bet they believe that they are doing the best and most caring thing possible by consulting the vet.

I have found that each time that I have taken a puppy to the vet for their first puppy visit, I am given a bag of puupy food and coupons for the food, so if I were a first time puppy owner, I would think that this must be good food or the vet wouldn't give it to me. Plus the vets sell the food, so it must be good. I know this is true, because I did the same thing 6 years ago when I got my first GSD, and believed I was doing right by my puppy. I think part of the problem is the information regarding the nutrition and dog foods is just now being out there for people to read, because of the pet food scares. People thought that if you fed a "name brand" vs a grocery store brand, your dog was given the best. Dog magazines all advertise the champion dogs with these name brand dog foods. so surely it must be good. I am sure that many "pet owners" don't even know about sites such as this to get all the information regarding the foods out there, so I don't think it is about now caring, I think it is not knowing....it is kinda like "I don't know enough to ask questions, however when I start learning, I have a million questions".

Mallory, I know many many people that do care and genuinely think they are doing right by there pets. A vast majority of pet owners don't know their dog is not supposed to have brown teeth, bad breath, dry skin and the list goes on. Many of my clients are very well intentioned and spend ungodly amounts of money on their dogs and other pets, buying things they think are quality and healthy.

There are those that don't care, but writing off everyone who feeds X food as an unconcerned person is asking for trouble.

Just because we are informed does not make us better, it is the decision to use our knowledge that gives us an advantage for our animals. A lot of people think they are feeding a good food and are not purposefully giving their dog crap in a bag.

 Quote: Jennifer Marshal

Mallory, I know many many people that do care and genuinely think they are doing right by there pets. A vast majority of pet owners don't know their dog is not supposed to have brown teeth, bad breath, dry skin and the list goes on. Many of my clients are very well intentioned and spend ungodly amounts of money on their dogs and other pets, buying things they think are quality and healthy.

I think that this describes a majority of pet owners out there, including me when I first got my pup.
If she hadn't been so mouthy, I probably never would have discovered this discussion board, and never researched nutrition. I made the mistake of assuming that to get a good quality pet food, you just had to go the closest chain pet store.

(Grains aren't good for dogs!!?? Who woulda thunk it?!)

Anyway, the thread seems to have veered a bit from it's original intent...

Michele, if your friends are open to it, perhaps they will consider switching to a better quality kibble (or even raw). If cost is an issue, Canidae is probably the most economical.

What about walking on sand? Low impact and a good workout over a shorter stretch.

Took this lab in yesterday and he weighed in at 122.

What is strange, is that just having him around for a few days now, he doesn't seem quite as large as he did when I first met him. ??? I know he hasn't lost any notable weight, but I guess my point is, that I can understand how people can just "get used to it" or rather not see it for the grave health concern that it is, as he is really a great dog...easy to get caught up in his happy attitude and his behaviour, so easy to be with him and his manners and gentle nature almost "override" the weight issue if that makes any sense. I am by NO means justifying or condoning his weight, just an observation.

The vet mentioned that if this boy could at least get down to 100, it would add years to his life.

 Quote: Michele McAtee

Took this lab in yesterday and he weighed in at 122.

The vet mentioned that if this boy could at least get down to 100, it would add years to his life.

Wow! Your initial guess was pretty close (of 50 lbs overweight)
That's one chubby dog...

At least, at the age of 2, he hasn't been carrying the excess weight around for years and years and perhaps hasn't done any major damage to joints, organs etc.

And yes, I think it's easy to miss the slow weight gain; you get used to looking at the dog on a daily basis and don't see it anymore.

Good luck!