Operation: Gain a Few Pounds

A report from Bear, Golden Retriever, and Chief Food Quality Inspector

Recently, my doctor informed Mom that I was too skinny.

Personally, I preferred the term “athletically streamlined,” but apparently there was concern. During my dental cleaning appointment, the veterinary staff noticed that I weighed only 48.8 pounds and thought I was underweight. They even took X-rays to make sure there wasn’t a more serious reason for my weight.

I want to report that the X-rays were completely normal.

Unfortunately, this did not end the discussion.

Instead, a meeting was held without my participation regarding my nutritional needs. During this meeting, serious discussions were held about calories, protein, vegetables, and my apparent inability to maintain a respectable Golden Retriever physique.

Mom had been generously sharing healthy vegetables with me. Carrots, broccoli, celery, and apples were regular menu items. While I appreciated her efforts, it turns out that vegetables are healthy but not especially calorie-dense. For an active Golden Retriever, too many vegetables can sometimes fill a tummy without providing enough calories to maintain an ideal weight.

That is when Operation: Gain a Few Pounds was launched.

The mission objectives included:

Three full meals each day
Increased protein intake
Strategic cottage cheese supplementation
Reduced vegetable volume
Occasional In-N-Out hamburger with no salt support
Continuous quality assurance testing by yours truly

I accepted this assignment with enthusiasm!

At my follow-up appointment, I am pleased to report that I had successfully increased my weight from 48.8 pounds to 51 pounds. My doctor appeared pleased. But he wants me to gain three more pounds, so I weigh 55 pounds. Mom appeared relieved. I appeared hungry.

For my fellow Golden Retrievers, ideal weight can vary widely depending on height, build, and activity level. Most adult male Golden Retrievers typically weigh somewhere between 65 and 75 pounds, while females often weigh between 55 and 65 pounds. However, numbers alone do not tell the whole story.

Veterinarians often use something called a Body Condition Score. When viewed from above, a healthy dog should have a visible waist behind the ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs with gentle pressure, but they should not be prominently visible. If the ribs, spine, and hip bones are easy to see, a dog may be underweight. If the waist disappears entirely and you cannot easily feel the ribs, a dog may be carrying extra pounds.

Every dog is different, which is why regular veterinary checkups are important. My doctor knows what my healthy weight should look like and helped my family make the adjustments I needed.

As for my current treatment plan, I have to say that I strongly approve.

Three meals a day.
Cottage cheese.
The occasional In-N-Out hamburger patty with no salt.

I realize that every human reading this article is now extremely jealous! To those humans, I offer my sympathy!

Operation: Gain a Few Pounds remains active. Current results are promising. The patient (me) continues to enthusiastically participate in all feeding opportunities and remains committed to the mission.

Additional research involving cottage cheese and hamburger patties is ongoing.

I will provide updates as the situation develops.

Respectfully submitted,

Bear
Chief Food Quality Inspector
Golden Retriever
Professional Good Boy

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