How To Get A Dog To Put On Weight

[juliehainsworth]

Ok I was wondering what is the best way to get a dog to put on some weight as I've noticed thatTy is looking too skinny as I can now see ribs. He's always been very lean but this is taking the biscuit, he's wormed regularly and there are two possible causes that I can think of for his weightloss, 1 is he's not getting as much as he did when I lived at my dads as my neighbour would spoil him with things or 2 stress from moving and having a new baby in the house. Unfortunately we dont often have left overs for him either but he gets plenty of treats. He's not a fan of tinned food although he has been getting it as extra to get some weight on but I would prefer a cost effective yet healthier way to do this.

He certainly has plenty of energy and he seems in good shape my friends say I shouldnt worry too much but I dont want to be accused of neglecting him by strangers although I've not had any comments as yet.

I look forward to your advice asI know you guys are always there when I need you so thanks in advance.

 

[Tangerinefizz]

There's a couple of things you could do. You could increase his kibble intake at his regular meal time( I assume you are feeding him kibble as well as leftovers?)

You could also feed him 3 meals a day instead of 2. Add in an extra feeding, a lunch one perhaps. It could very well be the stress of the new baby and moving that caused him to drop.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hm i would advise taking him to the vet and explaining the weight problem just to be on the safe side though. IMHO, If he's healthy and getting the right diet and eating normally, he shouldn't be losing weight.
How old is this dog and are his teeth in good condition- is he eating everything you give him and does he have a healthy apetite? What breed of dog is he and what sort of foods and size meals is he getting plus how often ? It could just be a stress thing, but its important to make sure there isn't anything else thats causing it too.

 

[venom2112]

give him pasta instead of ,or with mixer, that bulks them out, what type of dog is he??

 

[KathyM]

I would get him weighed at the vets and have them decide if he's underweight (and work out why) before upping his food intake - often what we see as a bit skinny is actually a healthy weight, and what we see as healthy is overweight.

 

[juliehainsworth]

This is Ty

He is a German shepherd cross and is nearly 2yrs old. He is on Wagg complete and doesnt have a set pattern to eating times either I always make sure if his bowl is empty I refil it and he eats when he likes somedays he'll eat 2 bowls or more others just one bowl. He also gets a treats ball filled with bakers complete at least once a day and lately a kong filled with tinned meat.

Looks like its a trip to the vet then, last year when he was weighed he was perfect aparently but I'm sure he wasnt ribby like this, I know its not just me thats noticed it my friends have commented but they say not to be worried as he's otherwise in great shape but I'm a bit of a worrier.

Thanks

 

[venom2112]

well i will probably get shot down in flames here!! i never ever have or will feed my dog a complete food, i have always used meat, pasta or mixer, eggs, & fish ( tinned sardines in oil, tinned pilchards ), also SA37 supplement, seen to many dogs skinny as rakes, when i asked what they feed them on its always, some sort of complete food, bakers, p/chum etc.. on many occasions i have been asked what to feed my dog on to bulk it out i have said use pasta instead of mixer, its worked every the time, thats what my dogs have been fed on & these dogs have went on to win at all show levels, so there must be something in it!!!

 

[KathyM]

One thing there Natsuko that really sticks out like a sore thumb for Ty behaviourally (and maybe health wise) is the Bakers Complete. Basically that (contrary to advertising) is the most awful food and can really contribute to behavioural issues. It's chockablock full of additives, and most trainers believe it causes serious hyperactivity and contributes to other issues.

If I were you, I'd get him on a good (and good doesn't necessarily mean expensive) complete diet, whether you choose a dry one (and there are good dry foods out there), a moist one (such as NatureDiet), homecooked, or raw is up to you. I would work out a set amount for the weight he's meant to be rather than the weight he is (that's where getting him weighed at the vets will help) and split that into three meals a day. For some reason, more frequent, smaller meals work better in getting weight on a dog than 1 or 2 bigger meals (maybe because the bigger meals get pushed through the digestive system by their bulk, and smaller meals have more time to be absorbed).

Edited to add: If he's not got any food allergies, then sometimes bread with a little oil or pasta added to their diet can really help apparently.

I'm trying to get weight on Seth here too, so know how frustrating it is!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I would get him weighed at the vets and have them decide if he's underweight (and work out why) before upping his food intake - often what we see as a bit skinny is actually a healthy weight, and what we see as healthy is overweight.

yup that's for sure! i always get people telling me my cats are too skinny, take them to the vets and they say they're a really healthy weight. so many people overfeed animals and it's really bloody cruel!

 

[mollymad]

My German Shepherd used to struggle with her weight as a young dog. She is fed on Wagg complete (chicken and rice flavour) But she likes a little warm water in hers as does her daughter. Garlic tablets can aid digestion and rather than tinned meat I prefer Naturediet. It is totally holistic so a very healthy alternative.It is a common problem with the breed. He is obviously a naturally slim dog(lucky him). A trip to the vets is always advisable just in case, but maybe just go and have a chat with the nurses than book an appointment and spent money, they might have some good suggestions.Good Luck I am sure there is nothing wrong!

 

[Karl1987]

Those complete dog foods are useless we feed ours meat with some dried pedigree mixer. Vets give off about those complete foods all the time it just isnt natural for a dog to eat.

My sisters dog stopped eating a while back while being fed on the complete food, she stopped eating for a few days and lost a bit of weight so my sister tried her out on some meat and dry mix and she scoffed it down like there was no tomorrow and has been eating it ever since. Shes put a bit of weight on now and the difference in her is amazing her coat is nice and shiny aswell.

 

[KathyM]

There is no "natural" food for a dog to eat, no such thing. Tinned food is as un-natural as dry. The nearest you can get to a healthy diet is a good quality dry food, something like NatureDiet (or Nature's Menu) which is a barely cooked wet food, or raw feeding. Tinned meat and mixer is no more natural than dry food (and is full of salt and sugar to make the poor quality meat and cereal palatable to dogs), and a good quality dry food will beat wet in quality unless you're feeding NatureDiet or Nature's Menu. Raw feeding is said to be good, but doesn't suit all dogs (ust as dry doesn't suit all dogs either).

 

[venom2112]

There is no "natural" food for a dog to eat, no such thing. Tinned food is as un-natural as dry.


why does it have to be tinned?? we get green tripe as natural as it comes from our pet food shop, also the mince they sell is balanced with the correct amount of fat, it dont come anymore natural than that!! look about & you will see a supplier of natural foods (much cheaper than the tinned stuff as well, no additives at all)

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

Tinned food is awful stuff. I find it makes my dogs' breath smell and it doesn't seem to be beneficial for the health of their teeth.
We just feed our dogs good quality dry food every night with leftovers such as rice, pasta etc if there is any and we give them raw bones every few days to keep their teeth healthy. They're both a perfect weight.

 

[tetraqueen]

My cat is fat and always has been.
When we got him he was a rescued cat with various bald patches where he had operations etc. He was attacked by and fox and still remained fat even after a long operation and little food etc.

I after a while accepted he was just a big what I term a tom and Jerry farm cat.

What is the German Shepherds cross.
My sister had a lab crossed with a greyhound and boy was he thin quick and healthy.

Dogs and you'll laugh are like humans the more exercise the more weight they lose. Is he more playful? . They change shape and size not just with stress but perhaps someone is walking him more with a pram at his side.

The vets can only suggest and give reassurrance that could relieve that worry.

Some dogs are thin in their prime and I agree we like to see fat dogs but they are not always healthy.

As for cruel to overfeed well both my cats have lived long happy lives and a vet told me if you starve them they will eat more rats.
My neighbours cat comes and eats what left in my cats bowl and I guess he does the same.

Control treats as they are like chocolates and wine and concentrate on good wholesome food.