Colt's scrawny, not gaining weight!!

bumhouse · Oct 20, 2007

Hi everybody,

Colt is now16 months old and weighs 18-19 lbs. The vet has been concerned since his 1 year check up that he is underweight (you can feel his spine and tail bones!!). He is a poor eater and often picks. He could go a day with no food at all. Currently, he is on Merrick Puppy Plate. He was on Canidae ALS for a long time, and then, at the request of the vet, I began to look for something else. He doesn't seem to like anything more than the other. This past week, a bile acid test was done to check for a liver shunt. Thankfully, it was negative. My vet is suggesting I try Eukanuba Low Residue or Hill's ID. Thanks to you guys, I know better and am turning to you for advice.

What can I do to help him gain weight? Could it be that he just has a high metabolism? He seems fine in every other respect.

Thanks,
Kim

Herschel · Oct 20, 2007

Welcome back.

Why did the vet request that you switch off of Canidae? Since he is recommending that you buy "special veterinary diets", it almost sounds like he is trying to make some money. (That stuff is expensive)

Have you tried grain-free (high protein, high fat)?
How many times a day do you feed him?
Does he get enough exercise (a lot of dogs won't eat unless they exercise)?

I really hope that no one recommends Satin Balls. They are used for short-term, temporary weight gain. I believe you are looking for something more permanent.

By the way, that weight is just right for a Sheltie. A lot of times people think dogs are underweight when they are actually in perfect shape. You should be able to feel his spine and tail bones! (You shouldn't be able to see them)

bumhouse · Oct 20, 2007

Thanks Herschel.

I really need to leave this vet!! I haven't felt good about her since day one but my entire family has used her forever!! This is just another nail in her coffin. I really didn't believe it was a liver problem and $273 later I was right. Colt did just as well on Canidae as anything else. I should follow my instincts. Yes, recommending Eukanuba and Hill's is a definite red flag.

It's hard to tell with Colt because he has quite a bit of fur, but I don't think you can see any bones, just feel.

I free feed Colt for this very reason. I used to feed him twice a day and it was no better, no worse. I figured if I left it down all of the time it may help.
Colt is VERY active and high strung - a real nut!! He isn't on a farm herding sheep or anything but I have three children and he is always running around - in or out - with somebody or going on a walk several times a day. He should be hungry. He wants our food. I know if I gave him a plate of london broil and a baked potato he would eat every last drop!! Once a week I make him two scrambled eggs. If I mix them in with his food he eats everything!!

I welcome your suggestions on grain free. I don't know what this is and suspect Colt may do well on a raw diet also but have absolutely no idea how to go about this and think it may be more than I can handle.

Herschel · Oct 20, 2007

bumhouse said:

Thanks Herschel.

I really need to leave this vet!! I haven't felt good about her since day one but my entire family has used her forever!! This is just another nail in her coffin. I really didn't believe it was a liver problem and $273 later I was right. Colt did just as well on Canidae as anything else. I should follow my instincts. Yes, recommending Eukanuba and Hill's is a definite red flag.

It's hard to tell with Colt because he has quite a bit of fur, but I don't think you can see any bones, just feel.

I free feed Colt for this very reason. I used to feed him twice a day and it was no better, no worse. I figured if I left it down all of the time it may help.
Colt is VERY active and high strung - a real nut!! He isn't on a farm herding sheep or anything but I have three children and he is always running around - in or out - with somebody or going on a walk several times a day. He should be hungry. He wants our food. I know if I gave him a plate of london broil and a baked potato he would eat every last drop!! Once a week I make him two scrambled eggs. If I mix them in with his food he eats everything!!

I welcome your suggestions on grain free. I don't know what this is and suspect Colt may do well on a raw diet also but have absolutely no idea how to go about this and think it may be more than I can handle.

Do you have any photos? It sounds like he is in great shape. You would be surprised at how little he needs to eat. Herschel (terrier mix) eats 2/3 cup per day and he is high energy/very active. I think Beanie's Auggie (Sheltie) is the same as Colt--eats very little but stays healthy and active.

Melissa_W · Oct 20, 2007

My Sheltie was very similar. He was a horribly picky eater on kibble. When we got him, he was about 4 lbs underweight. He also had a lot of digestive issues.

We switched him to raw and the difference is huge! He's the perfect weight, has a beautiful coat, no smell, bright eyes, etc. He's never once turned his nose up at a raw meal either.

If you want details on how to start a raw diet, send me a pm. I'd be happy to help you out. It's actually quite easy to do.

bumhouse · Oct 20, 2007

Here are some pictures I just took today...

Tell me more about grain free.

Herschel · Oct 20, 2007

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=grain_free

Melissa_W · Oct 20, 2007

I pm'd you some info.

Oh, just to give you an idea of the change in my dog.

Kibble fed:

Raw fed:

bumhouse · Oct 20, 2007

Hmmm. I always thought lower carbs led to weight loss?

What do you think about Evo Red Meat or Solid Gold Barking at the Moon? I know I can get both of those at the Pet Store I go to.

I try to avoid food with turkey in it. I don't think turkey agrees with him.

bumhouse · Oct 20, 2007

Melissa,
How old is your dog now? I definitely see the difference. Prior to raw his build looks very similar to Colt.

What do you think about frozen raw diets?

Melissa_W · Oct 20, 2007

Those would both be good grain free choices. You might want to get some samples. Kai totally turned his nose up at Barking at the Moon. I did have him on Evo for a little while though.

Herschel · Oct 20, 2007

bumhouse said:

Depends on the brand. Nature's Variety, Oma's Pride, and a few others are pretty good. You miss the whole benefit of raw meaty bones, though.

Melissa_W · Oct 20, 2007

In the kibble fed pic, he's 1 year old. In the second pic, he's 1.5, and the last two were taken on his 2 year old birthday.

I've never tried the frozen raw, but I think there are a few people who use them on the forum. I kind of think it's over priced. Plus, as Herschel mentioned, you miss out on the benefits of feeding raw meaty bones. I also like to know exactly what I'm feeding and where it came from. If you post on the food forum, some people who use the frozen patties might be able to give you more feedback.

bumhouse · Oct 20, 2007

Herschel said:

I'm sort of new to all of this. What do you mean by that?

Melissa_W · Oct 20, 2007

Chewing meaty bones keeps the teeth clean. Another benefit I forgot to mention.

bumhouse · Oct 22, 2007

Thanks guys for your input. I'm still mulling this around. I'll keep you posted though. I really hate to switch his food again. I'm leaning towards introducing raw - chicken first. I'll let you know how he does.

Kim

Herschel · Oct 22, 2007

bumhouse said:

http://www.rawlearning.com
http://www.rawfed.com

BostonBanker · Oct 22, 2007

While I do think a diet with a lot of RMB is ideal, I do a lot of the prepared frozen raw. I simply haven't taken the time to find good local sources that I trust to get the bones at a decent price. I do at least one or two RMB meals a week, but most of the rest is frozen.

I try to support two different local stores, because both are owned by friends, so I rotate between the brands they feed. I do some Nature's Variety and some Primal. Meg wouldn't touch the Oma's - the only raw she has turned down.

Yes, it is a bit more expensive than homemade raw, but for my one smallish dog, it is still very reasonable. It is also tough to beat for convenience.

bumhouse · Oct 22, 2007

Thanks Boston Banker.

I have looked into frozen but I think it is out of my price range. It seems like a nice option though. It's sort of like take out versus home cooked though like when I feed the rest of my family. Take out is nice for a treat or if there are time limitations, but home cooked goes further for us (a family of five plus the dog

)

I am interested to know what you mean by "good local sources" for your RMB. Can't you just buy where you buy your own meat? At the grocery store or butcher?

showpug · Oct 22, 2007

I think your dog's condition looks great, personally. His coat is beautiful which is a sign he is thriving on his current diet.

Raw is definitely a great option or have you considered feeding a canned only diet? Does your dog like canned food? Sometimes canned will entice the dog just enough to eat their kibble or it's great to feed canned alone.

Colt's scrawny, not gaining weight!!

Member

New Member

Member

New Member

New Member

Member

New Member

New Member

Member

Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Member

New Member

Member

New Member

Active Member

Member

New Member