To Skinny?

[PuppyPalace]

Well i've been giving Scarlett a cup a day and split in to 3 meals morning, lunch, dinner . On chicken Soup and she loves it has it gone in secounds my yorkie ate it to but my mom wasn't to keep her on dads. Then i taped up that bag of Ol'Roy got my money back plus the manager said toss it because it was torn open :lol-sign:. But anyways i've been feeding scarlett and she still is very thin i can feel her ribs, hip bones etc. I need to know what to give her to gain wait? Maybe a filler food until she balances out or something?

 

[Raine]

My Saint has some weight issues also. So I too would be interested in hearing what foods I could add to his kibble to help him gain a little bit faster.

I was thinking of trying Satin Balls, But my dog has a sensitive tummy. So I'm hesitant to go that route.

PuppyPalace, Here's a link to the ingredients for Satin Balls though if your interested.

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/diet4.htm

 

[Buddy'sParents]

How long have you given the pup to gain weight? It won't be a miraculous overnight occurance, ya know.

Hav you gone to the vet to rule out anything that could be wrong with the pup?

 

[deb27]

I would try adding some canned food to her diet. It is actually good for her and may help a little bit to gain some weight.

 

[Herschel]

PuppyPalace--you just changed foods. First, rule out any medical problems with a vet visit. (Your vet will probably tell you to feed Science Diet--DO NOT LISTEN!)

Then, wait a few weeks and see if she improves.

 

[GSDlover_4ever]

Is she a puppy? If so I wouldnt worry about it too much. Puppies (of larger breeds) should carry as little body fat as possible. Hondo was very thin as a pup and now he is getting thicker naturally. I though he was going to be a narrow chested dog but now he is very thick. Dont make your dog too big too fast, that will jsut cause more stress later on in life.

 

[whackichic]

I am going through the same thing with my 13 month old german shepherd. Her old food gave her the runs and she lost 5# which she really didn't have to loose in the first place. I switched to Innova about 1 1/2 months ago. She gained 1# about 3 weeks ago, I won't weigh her again til Nov. I do notice she looks better. The old company (azmira) suggested adding canned food into her diet to put on some weight as well. I'm not going that route unless she hasn't gained anymore weight. I feed her 3 cups of food split into 2 feedings, which is more than the bag recommends for her activity level. Her poops are solid feeding her that much so it's just a wait and see. I do give her treats stuffed in the Kong daily, and a marrow bone once and a while.
I figure it's more of a marathon instead of a sprint to put weight on her.

 

[showpug]

If a dog is of healthy weight, you should be able to easily feel the ribs without seeing them. Many people think you should not be able to feel them - not so! Dogs who live a lean life live longer.

I would take your dog to the vet like the others said. Make sure she doesn't have something wrong. Don't listen to their diet recommendations though!

I would also recommend you add canned food to your dogs diet. Are you feedling Adult formula or Puppy formula? I would recommend you feed the puppy formula for it's increased protein and fat content.

 

[PuppyPalace]

I feed puppy formula i just haven't had the time or money to take her to the vet i'll get some canned food.

 

[jess2416]

A cup a day ??? that doesnt sound like enough to begin with anyway ??

 

[Buddy'sParents]

A cup a day ??? that doesnt sound like enough to begin with anyway ??

I think it's a small breed?

Seems there is much more to this..I dunno..

 

[jess2416]

I think it's a small breed?

Seems there is much more to this..I dunno..

Nope its says in her profile that scarlett is a german shepherd / lab mix

In that case, One cup a day is NOT nearly enough...

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Indeed.

Wonder why the pup is skinny... feed the poor thing!! Use the guidelines on the bag of food or speak to your vet.

from chicken soup site..

Feeding Guideline (standard measuring cups/day)
Weight (lbs.) 6 - 11 weeks 3 - 4 months 5 - 7 months 8 - 12 months

3 -5 1 - 1 1/3 3/4 - 1 1 /4 2/3 - 1 1/2 - 2/3
5 - 10 1 1/3 - 2 1/4 1 1/4 - 2 1 - 1 1/2 2/3 - 1 1/4
10 - 20 2 1/4 - 3 2/3 2 - 3 1/4 1 1/2 - 2 1/3 1 1/4 - 1 3/4
20 - 30 3 2/3 - 5 3 1/4 - 4 1/3 2 1/3 - 3 1 3/4 - 2 1/2
30 - 40 5 - 6 1/4 4 1/3 - 5 1/4 3 - 3 3/4 2 1/2 - 3
40 - 60 - 5 1/4 - 7 3 3/4 - 5 3 - 4
60 - 80 - - 5 - 6 4 - 5
80 - 100 - - 6 - 7 1/4 5 - 5 2/3

 

[deb27]

jeez I just noticed she was talking about the other dog, I thought she was talking about the Yorkie.

yes please feed your bigger dog more!!!! My little chihuahua who is 3 pounds is suppose to eat a cup a day!

 

[PuppyPalace]

Thats what the bag says for her age 1 cup a day. I am going by the bag its very rude for you to say i'm starving her i'll take a picture of the bag if you would like!

 

[showpug]

Thats what the bag says for her age 1 cup a day. I am going by the bag its very rude for you to say i'm starving her i'll take a picture of the bag if you would like!

The bag should have an area where you feed based on weight and age, not just age alone.

 

[showpug]

Here is a link to the feeding chart for the Puppy food. It's the first one highlighted in purple. Your puppy would have to be 6-11 weeks and 3-5lbs to just be getting a cup a day. Check the chart again and feed the appropriate amount.
http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/products/dogs/dry_food/puppy_formula/

 

[savethebulliedbreeds]

PuppyPalace--you just changed foods. First, rule out any medical problems with a vet visit. (Your vet will probably tell you to feed Science Diet--DO NOT LISTEN!)

Then, wait a few weeks and see if she improves.

Yeah, what is with vets and Science Diet? That is horrible food.

 

[Delisay]

PP, from looking at the chart that Showpug kindly linked to, it seems that you've been feeding Scarlett only about 45% of what she needs, which is partly why the food is gone in a flash - very hungry pup!

Based on an estimated ideal weight of approx 10lb for her at this age, I would try her on 2 1/4 cups. When she starts to look healthier - or anyway in a couple of weeks - re-evaluate the amount again.

Good luck with her. She's a lovey pup.

Del.

 

[PuppyPalace]

She was the runt of the litter so she is not very big about 5-6lbs tops and she was thinner when i got her. She's also 9wks so yes she would be only getting a cup check the chart again...