Maintaining weight during the season

[NickG]

I have three young labs (all spayed bitches). We pick up two to three days a week. They are on Skinners Crunchy (24% protein) twice a day and I increase their "resting" rations by 50% more than the makers recommended amount. I also add 100g of cooked chicken to their evening meal after a working day. However I struggle to keep weight on them during the season. Any suggestions welcome.

[Judy]

Try adding fatty meat such as cheap beef or lamb mince instead of chicken. Fat gives the dogs energy and helps maintain weight. Also if they aren't looking good with plenty of energy I would consider changing their food to something else or mixing in a little Skinners Superior perhaps. Regular worming too.

[NickG]

Thanks Judy. I like the idea of more fatty meat - that makes sense. They are in great shape, healthy and happy - but just a little bit lean. We worm regularly with Milbemax. I was looking at Skinners Superior online earlier and think I might switch to that during the season. The hell withe the expense!

[Judy]

Mix the two, maybe? Or add oily fish such as tinned pilchards / sardines, you could try Butchers Tripe, I fall back on adding that if mine look a bit lean.
If you are feeding 50% more than the recommended amount I think I would be trying a different kibble though, thats a lot of food! What's it come out the other end like?

[Miesque]

Change to higher fat/calorie feed and add fatty meats as has been suggested (Do look at calories and fat NOT protein though as it's not a good indicator of energy levels). Skinners Superior or Eukanuba High Performance are similar

[NickG]

Thanks - plan to switch to Superior this week!

[Naj]

As above. They should be looking hard and lean at this time of the year with that amount of work. You don't want them carrying fat.

Naj

[NickG]

Agree Naj. Mine are lovely trim girls. However their weight drops by about 2-3 kg over the season and I'd prefer to feed them to perform rather than them slowly eating themselves!

[Dawnrazor]

CSJ Complete Tripe Mix, a really good food and high fat content is keeping mine in top class condition again this year, add a square of beef dripping if they need a wee boost.

[Judy]

Switch over a few days otherwise they might get the scoots. Just add more each day to replace their normal food until they have switched completely. Think I might try feeding a little less from the start too. You could just try feeding 50/50 and see if that keeps the weight on then easing back onto Crunchy at the end of January.