Is she too thin?

[RD]

So Eve has me baffled, she's so very skinny. I can easily feel her spine and her ribs and hip bones are prominent. She's been checked out by a vet, she doesn't have worms or any apparent health issues, bloodwork came back normal. She's a healthy looking dog - her coat is soft and shiny, she has large, strong muscles and can run like the wind. She's extremely energetic, always on the go either working or playing. I just can't figure out why she's so little. Everything seems normal except she has virtually no body fat. I worry that she'd react poorly if she ever needed surgery, and she has no energy reserves in case she ever gets ill and doesn't eat for a couple of days.

She eats a raw diet and probably gets 1.2lbs of food a day, give or take a little depending on her appetite. She has dry kibble (EVO) and canned food (Innova or Blue Buffalo) available at various times throughout the day, and sometimes she'll choose to eat a bit of that.

Anyone else have a dog that's naturally really thin? Any tips for putting on weight without stuffing them with food? (Eve stops eating the minute she feels full, her stomach capacity seems to be about 1.5 cups lol)

Here's a photo that shows how slim she is. Is she emaciated or am I just over-reacting because I'm used to seeing fat dogs everywhere?

 

[Zoom]

She may just be a super skinny teen...maybe try upping her food a little and then see what happens as she grows up some more?

I don't think she's overly-skinny, pretty trim, yeah, but I also can't put my hands on her. If her muscle tone is good, then I'd keep an eye on her, but wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Gempress]

Anyone else have a dog that's naturally really thin?

I have the exact same issue with Zeus, even down to the protruding backbones and ribs.

I just took this pic on Sunday. He was even skinnier as a pup, but at least his chest has filled out some now.

I wouldn't worry about feeding Eve up, honestly. I used to try and put weight on Zeus, but it didn't go well. He just got random bulges of flab without actually fleshing out well. He also seemed to get lethargic and lose energy.

My vet reassured me that Zeus is in perfect health--he has no extra fat, but has good muscle and energy. There's absolutely nothing wrong with him. The vet said I just shouldn't worry about it. So I haven't. And everything is fine.

 

[oc_spirit]

Ronan is the exact same way. I can show pictures because he is so furry it is hard to tell without actually putting your hands on him. But BCMoffat here on chaz knows what I am talking about as she has felt Ronan many times. Am I worried? Not one bit! His muscle tone is AWESOME, he has great energy and is in wonderful spirits. I wouldnt worry unless she loses her muscle tone. I dont bother trying to plump Ronan up because I know that's just the way he is. Besides, he wouldnt allow me to do it because, like Eve, he stops eating when he is full. I can feel his ribs with barely a touch and I can feel his spine and hip bones too. He is just a skinny dog and has been this way his whole life.

 

[milos_mommy]

i wouldn't worry. She is thin, but not horribly so. If she gained a few pounds it'd be good, but she might just be a skinny dog.

 

[Saintgirl]

I think Eve looks great! Too often are dogs overweight and that is considered the norm. She is still a pup and will fill out later on. If she is acting healthy, and God knows that is one beautiful coat on that girl and your vet thinks she is ok, I wouldn't worry!

 

[jess2416]

Chloe is the same way...her backbone and hip bones poke out a little, but since she isnt smooth coated you cant really tell on her

 

[smkie]

Mary use to be like that when she was young...not now

 

[HoundedByHounds]

(Eve stops eating the minute she feels full, her stomach capacity seems to be about 1.5 cups lol)

WOW, granted my hounds are on kibble only but they get between 1.5-2c per day of that. Heaviest one is around 18lbs. What's she weigh, and at what shoulder height? My 18lbs hound is around 13 1/4" high.

 

[jess2416]

oops... never mind :lol-sign:

 

[Paige]

Spanky is built exactly like Eve. Bandit is that nice feel his ribs but can't seem them kind of guy. Spanky on the other hand is so skinny. He will not put on weight no matter what. My vet told me not to worry about it. That he's happy, healthy and cute as a button.

 

[noludoru]

Middie's like this, too. I was taking pictures of him stretching the other day, and when I saw them I deleted them. He looked emaciated.. I could count his ribs. I can feel but not see his hips normally, and usually can't see the last two ribs unless he's contorting himself oddly, but it makes me really uncomfortable because it just feels too skinny to me. He's gained a little more on the Cal Nat.... but I'm still not terribly comfortable with his weight. It just makes me cringe, because I feel like I'm starving him or something even when I know I'm not.

 

[Toller_08]

Tango was naturally thin just like Eve until she hit about 3. After that, she gained just enough weight to look a bit "healthier" (not that she wasn't healthy already, but she just looked better than ever). She was always on the thin side though. I definitely wouldn't worry about it. I think Eve looks great!

 

[ihartgonzo]

Gonzo's body type was thinner than Eve's, when I first adopted him. Granted, he wasn't getting good nutrition at his former home... but he stayed suuuper lean through out his adolescence. It wasn't until he was almost 2 years old that he really started to fill out, and now (at 6), he looks perfect.

: D I, personally, think Eve looks just as a BC puppy should! If you feel that she should put on a few lbs, maybe increase her raw intake to 1.5 lbs? Gonzo eats about 1.5 lbs per day. You can also try feeding her more fatty meats, like pork.

This is kind of OT, but my friend has a BC puppy Eve's age, who is already overweight. You cannot, under any circumstances, even begin to feel her ribs. D: I worry for that pup, when she gets older... being so chunky just isn't right for her small build. It's sooo scary.

 

[Lizmo]

I, honestly, don't think she looks bad. Maybe a bit skinny to some, but to me she looks fine. I think she is a good example of how a working bred Border Collie should be. If she's eating all she wants, I see no reason for worry.

Do you know what Kate and Scot look like now and when they were her age?

My herding trainer has a Border about the same size as Eve. At first I thought she was HORRIBLY under-weight -because like Eve you could feel her ribs, hip bones, ect- but then I saw she wasn't starving and how well and easy she moved on sheep.

 

[RD]

Oh, when I say her stomach capacity is 1.5 cups, I mean she stops eating after that when she gets kibble or canned food. I'm sure more food would fit in there, she just chooses not to eat anymore. She's about 19" at the shoulder and weighs 25lbs.

 

[2BlackDogs]

She might just be one of those dogs who are naturally skinny. Some dogs are like that. dixie is because she is just soooo active. She burns off more than she eats. The vet said not to worry too much. As long as she's healthy I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe a couple lbs might make her look like she's fatter. There's nothing wrong with a lean dog as long as they are not malnurished. IMO.

 

[J's crew]

Yep, I have the same problem. He has good muscle tone, a great coat, and tons of energy but he stays pretty skinny for a intact male at over 2 years old. No medical problems, just the way he is I guess.
He actually looks better in this picture than in person. Maybe it's the way he's standing but you can see a little more ribs & hips than in this pic.

 

[FoxyWench]

some dogs are just naturally thinner, right now id say eve is just a slimmer built girl, as she gets older she may fill out some...

ruby is like that, but as a breed Cresties are built alot like sighthounds...
she looks skinny but shes fine...

if your realy worried look for a recipy for Satin Balls, they are great for putting and keeping weight on hard dogs, but use sparingly, they are GOOD and she may end up getting too much weight on lol

 

[wishbone]

I see she's just normal. Being too energetic and loves to play, she has less fats and build more muscles. But you have to focus on her food consumption, learn what she like the most so she will eat more.