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How to get your underweight dog to gain weight in a healthy way!

1/14/2013

38 Comments

 
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There are many reasons dogs can become underweight. The most common reasons include medical conditions, intestinal parasites, very high metabolism and recent illness. An underweight dog can be just as unhealthy as an overweight one, so it is important to find the happy medium in between. Ideally you should be able to feel your dog's ribs but you should not be able to see them. There should also be a distinct waist (also known as a "tuck") visible on the dog. Optimum physical condition also means the dog has a good amount of muscle and fat in conjunction with the number on the scale.

It is important to determine the cause of the weight issue before you try anything, since there are many medical issues that cause weight loss. Intestinal worms, digestive disorders, intestinal obstruction and kidney failure are just a few of the problems that could be behind your dog's lack of substance. Check with your veterinarian and get your dog a clean bill of health before you turn to supplementing their diet.

The first method is to increase the amount of food they are getting in a day. For raw feeders, add more muscle meat to help put on the pounds or increase the overall percentage you feed. For dogs eating a commercial kibble diet, add an extra half cup or full cup as a mid-day snack. For dogs on a homemade diet, increase the amount of carbs and protein. Be wary of overfeeding in one meal, avoid bloat by feeding extras as a mid day snack right before your dog has an afternoon nap. Since you may be increasing the volume of food your dog is eating, it is important to remember never to feed your dog one hour before and one hour after exercise, this will prevent bloat and life-threatening gastric torsion.

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Full fat cottage cheese is an excellent way to add more calories to your dog's diet, plus it is full of probiotics and calcium! It tastes great and makes the perfect topper for any kind of diet. A tablespoon or two will do, and you should consider adding fruits or vegetables to the cottage cheese for a boost in nutrition; You can learn about which fruits and veggies are perfect for dogs with my article: Superfoods for dogs! You can also switch up the cottage cheese with high fat plain yoghurt.

Another option is to add one whole raw egg to your dog's food bowl, this high protein addition is sure to help pack on some weight. More things to add to your dog's food bowl include sweet potato, pumpkin, apples (without seeds or the core), green beans and raw green tripe. Raw green tripe is an excellent addition to a skinny dog's diet for a variety of reasons, read my article on the benefits of raw green tripe here!

For kibble fed dogs, try adding a higher fat and higher calorie canned food to each meal. A couple tablespoons to half a can should be sufficient for adding extra calories to a meal. Look for high quality canned foods such as Merrick, Wellness, Go! or Homestyle.

Lastly, providing healthy treats and snacks is a good way to add extra calories to your dog's diet. Make sure you do not go overboard with the treats, since that is an easy way to jump to the other side of the weight spectrum. Read my article on choosing healthy treats for more information.

More food means more calories, but make sure to provide a high protein, whole food diet as the foundation to health and vitality. Nutrition plays a major role in physical condition, and you can also incorporate a good exercise routine to help maintain proper weight.

For more information on switching your dog to a high quality diet, visit my Diet and Nutrition page or contact me!

Angel Leandres
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

38 Comments
Susan Lock
7/23/2013 07:09:03 am

My 2 gsds love green tripe and yes, it is sooo smelly! I must try to remember to wear gloves when I serve it up!

Reply
Grace jalo
3/5/2020 09:50:36 pm

This has really worked and I am proud to testify of it. I saw a post on how a lady got her man back by Dr Jato. He helped her to get her Ex Husband back. My Husband divorce me 2 years ago to live with another woman and i have try to let go of him but i could not, so i try to do many things to get him back and he refuse to come back to me. I visit a forum one day for tips to get him back and there is saw a lady testifying of how Dr Jato helped he to get her man back after he was tie down with a spell by another woman and Dr Jato was the one that help her. Although I never believed in spiritual work I reluctantly tried him because I was desperate and i contact him and explain my problems to him, to my greatest surprise Dr Jato helped me to bring back my man after 2 days and now my relationship is now perfect just as he promised. Getting your ex back permanently spell does not only bring back someone you love but it will also re-ignite your lovers feelings for you to be as happy with that person. My man now treats me like a queen and always say he love me all the time. If you are passing through difficulties in your relationship Email him for urgent help.E-mail: jatolovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp/Call him at +2348140033827
thank you Dr Jato for the help..

Reply
leslie jordan
6/11/2020 03:34:13 pm

Its a miracle that I am alive today. I encounter HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV1/2) for good four (4) years, before I meet the great Dr.okosun I am Leslie Jordan  from Fresno California, united state of America and I was affected with herpes virus. Herpes is a viral infection cause by the Herpes simplex virus, marked by painful, watery blister in the skin or mucous membrane or on the genitals. This was what I suffered for good four years. I have visited CVS Pharmacy in Fresno for treatment but no improvement. I meet Dr. Okosun online while I was searching for herpes cure I read a testimony about his work. I give a try that now becomes a testimony in my life am now fully cured. kindly contacted Dr okosun via   WhatsApp  +2348124363791 or  email him on drokosun55@gmail.com  visit his website  https://drokosun55.weebly.com
And here is my email address incase you wanna know more about this doctor, lesliejordan363@gmail.com

Reply
juwan james
7/3/2020 06:16:33 am

First, I want to complement this page administrator for creating this platform for us to express our feelings. Herpes is a serious and recurring disease which can't be cured through drugs or injections by the American doctors but the best way to deal with herpes is by taking natural herbs medicine from DR. ISHIAKU the greatest herbalist doctor in the world and is only few American doctors that know about this herbal medicine from Dr ISHIAKU .. I have read about Dr ISHIAKU the great herbalist doctor from African who can cure disease with his powerful herbal medicine. for the people suffering from the following diseases, Herpes,HIV/Aids, Cancer, Also, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Hpv, Infections ETC should contact him for his herbal medicine because i am a living testimony and i was cured of herpes. Although, i sent him what he requested and he sent me his medicine through DHL courier delivery company which i took for 10 days and today when i went for test i was tested herpes negative. you can reach him through his email (ishiakuherbalcure@gmail.com) or WhatsApp him at +2348180828544

Reply
cellina jolly
11/11/2020 01:32:55 am

I want to share this great testimony to the world on how Dr VOODOO cure me from HSV1&2 with his herbs, I was nervous when i first contact him about the cure for HSV but i decided to give him a try because i was desperate to get cured and be free from HSV. Dr VOODOO prepared the remedy and sent it to me through UPS,which I use just the way Dr VOODOO instructed me and thank God today I am a beneficiary to this cure and I went back to the hospital after 7 days of taking the herbs and I tested HSV1&2 Negative. So I will tell you all who are looking for a cure to his/her HSV1&2 that Dr VOODOO took research before he could finally get the solution to it and a lot of people are benefiting from him right now. He also cured my friend from HPV. Dr VOODOO heals with natural herbs. Please I urge you to contact him now through his email address: voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com or call and WhatsApp him on +2348140120719. He is capable of curing HIV/AIDS, HERPES, HPV, HSV1&2, CANCER of all kinds, DIABETES and so many other infections.

Reply
Linda Oettli
10/13/2017 05:32:57 pm

My labradoodle had a stroke November of 2016. She turned 13 last month (9-19-17) She has lost alot of weight and I would like to supplement her diet with healthy things that will help her gain muscle weight. She still enjoys her walks but is becoming very picky about what she will eat. :( partly my fault because a supplement her kibble with meat. She will eat the meat but not the kibble anymore.. Any ideas?

Reply
yesenia
10/24/2017 10:21:19 am

Try bully max mirac ke get all natural weight gainer

Reply
Kelly
12/21/2017 05:16:12 am

Please consult your vet first. My Maltese lost 25% of her body weight. Blood testing revealed her pancreas doesn't produce enzymes to break down her food. So... it's in one end, out the other, not absorbing nutrition between. It wouldn't matter how much I feed her, the condition has to be treated. Just started her on powdered enzymes additive to her current food.

Reply
Tessa
5/1/2019 04:12:40 pm

Hi Kelly, I am struggling to help our dalmatian with ileus gain weight but he's on a low fat diet. I am thinking pancreatitis or similar as signs that he isn't really absorbing nutrients properly. Currently on metoclopramide for nausea and an almost liquid diet. Currently trying enzymes, how are you and your pooch getting on with these please? Btw, he is seeing vet regularly and has reached 4k max on insurance already this year. If anyone has any advice on how to help our Riley gain weight, remembering that he is on low fat, liquid and low purine diet. Any help gratefully received. Thanks all x

Little Fish
5/17/2018 04:19:38 pm

I recommend boiling chicken then using the broth only on your pets regular kibble. The kibble will soak up the broth and teach the dog to go back to this type of food.

Reply
Tonie Bonilla
12/14/2017 06:22:51 pm

I have a standard poodle, male, neutered, almost 2 yr old. Vet says ok but he is like a little female. It bothers me that he is only 40lbs. Very high and fast body. Would probiotics help? I feed him lamb and kibbles, per vet. Any other suggestions?

Reply
Lisa link
7/9/2018 06:36:40 pm

I raise Standard Poodles. They are not heavy dogs.. Mostly legs and hair

Reply
Angela Thompson
7/27/2018 09:53:50 am

I have a standard poodle 13 months old weighs 24.4 but he's really skinny at back end area I'm trying to bulk him out been told to have him castrated but I'm nervous of getting that done he's very tall long legs

Veronica Marion link
1/10/2018 03:28:14 am

Having your pet with average weight may be less chance of any diseases attack to them. If you find your pet is gradually decreasing its weight be sure they may be suffering from any intestinal parasites which may fall them in server health problem in future. Consulting with a good veterinarian may help you to determine the cause of the weight issue and do treatment according to that.

Reply
Jassi grewal link
3/18/2018 08:02:11 pm

Good article http://www.dognation.in/2018/03/how-to-increase-weight-of-your-dog.html?m=1

Reply
Jocelyn
3/21/2018 06:04:49 pm

Hi- my dog has kidney disease and eats a can in half a day- however he is still losing weight. Use to be 12 pounds now is down to 9.8.
The vets have told me since his weight went down to feed him anything rt now and to get a lot of calories in him.
He will eat so that’s not the problem/ it’s keeping the weight on.
His kidneys are working against it.
What do you recommend for adding calories to a dog who was needs it?
Thanks!!!

Reply
Michael
4/20/2018 05:04:34 pm

Try Milk Thistle - you can also use human grade also. A total of 200 MG divided 3 times a day into smaller doses will help the kidneys and liver. It worked for my small dog. You can use it up to 3 weeks than stop for 2 weeks and continue again. It is very safe. Look it up on the Internet don't just take my word. Do your research. It should help your dog.

Reply
Amanda
5/15/2018 01:58:13 pm

My bull dog whom is a gentle giant was bit by a really big rattle snake. After being in the hospital for a few days and receiving tons of meds and fluids he lived.. We feel very happy and blessed. However during this time he couldn’t eat because his head literally swelled to about the equivalent size to a basketball. (No lie). The IV is what fed him for several days. He lost a lot of weight and now looks very malnutritioned.. We are feeding him puppy food with a high protein and we basically have been giving him anything he wants because we want his weight up. I don’t want to hurt him by doing this so could you suggest the absolute best thing to add to his food to get his weight up quicker...????...He does have a constant food source at this moment. This incident is fresh and I realize it’s going to take some time. But if you know a really quick trick please let me know. Thank you.

Reply
Rene Breivik
7/5/2018 08:44:26 pm

My 4 yr old GSD is allergic to almost every animal protein! For the last few years we have been going in these cycles where I make all her food, but then she loses weight and we have to pit her back on high calorie dog food and attempt to find a protein she hasn't had a reaction to. She just started having a reaction to the last dog food we can try, it has 6 ingrediants! She has itching and sores around her mouth, enflamed anus, and bloody diarrhea from the gastric inflammation. I have had her on a home cooked diet for about a week and she is doing great. I am willing to cook her meals for the rest of her life... except how she is down 5 pounds and I can see her hips. She is very active, very much still in puppy mode, plus shes a GSD. I have been adding full fat yogurt and a scoop of peanut butter to her meals and giving her pumpkin treats in between meals. I am at such a loss, any ideas are welcome!

Reply
cindi pere
7/9/2018 02:22:37 pm

The vet kept telling me my dog was allergic to protein and and I tried every expensive can food out there and after two weeks she was sick again. even the prescription food made her sick. I got some home made dog recipes using free range meat and good fruits and veggies and she has;'t been sick anymore. I read that they maybe using animals put to sleep in the dog food and phenabarbitol was found in a lot of the food which is what they use to put animals to sleep. The vomiting and upset stomach is what phenabarb does. So now shes healthy again but needs to gain weight and she has a long standing bacterial or viral infection we are trying to get rid of with antibiotics due to long illness on can food and weight loss. I'm fighting to save her life now and make her better. These dog foods are making our pets sick. my daughters two year old dog has arthritis already. Get a good dog recipe cook book and save your pet. Best to you. .

Reply
Rene Breivik
7/23/2018 02:20:04 pm

My dog turned out to have EPI. Sounds similar to your dog's situation??

Rene Breivik
7/23/2018 02:19:22 pm

Thank you everyone for the feedback. But, turns out it wasnt allergies at all. She was diagnosed with EPI this week. She wasnt making the enzyme that allowed her to break down protein and had literally been starving to death. Since we started treatment 6 days ago, shes had no vomiting or diarrhea she has gained 2 pounds!!!

Reply
Michelle
1/20/2019 08:31:20 pm

Commercial dog food is complete crap I wasted thousands of dollars on high end and so called vet approved foods and nothing worked for mine until I started cooking my own. 9 days of food.
10lbs meat (chicken, turkey, fish)
2-3 lbs orgin meats (use this is ever other batch)
20 cups cooked brown rice
6 lbs sweet potatoes
3 lbs carrots
36 eggs scrambled with the shell
12 apples peeled and cored or 1.5 lbs frozen blueberries
Feed 3 cups in the am and pm
You’ll also want to get a omega 3 supplement and some people want pro biotics as well like Dino vite

Reply
Andrea Smith
9/18/2019 06:12:31 pm

May I ask what kind of dog you have? It seems like a lot of food for 9 days

Chantal
3/29/2020 07:23:49 pm

How do you prepare it?

Anna Cavness
7/23/2018 01:47:56 pm

How much sweet potato or canned pumpkin is ok to give my German shepherd per day? he is about 50 to 60 pounds but he has mega esophagus its difficult when feeding to be sure he holds it down which makes it difficult to hold on the weight.

Reply
Donnette Cowgill
1/29/2019 12:12:22 pm

My raw-fed dog is losing weight. She has great creatinine numbers but high BUN, so vet wants me to increase calories while trying not to increase protein. Help.

Reply
K9 Instinct
1/29/2019 06:50:03 pm

Healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, grass fed butter...

Reply
Phillip Allen
7/29/2019 04:17:04 am



Few Months ago i went for check up in the hospital, the doctor took my
blood for test and told me to come after 3 days for the results, after 3
days passed i went back to the hospital for the results,and it was then the
doctor told me that i was diagnosed with HIV virus.
On that very day i was left with no happiness and everything in life became
meaningless to me, i began to think on how i could get rid of this virus
from my body, i decided to go on internet and do some research, while i was
surfing the internet i came across some good testimonials on how Dr Idahosa
has been using his herbal medicine to treat and save different patients
from various diseases and infections, i also saw someone who was commenting
on how she was cured from HIV with the medicine.
To me i never believed in them, that was the first time to come across
something like that, i just decided to try it out if it did really worked!
They gave the contact details of Dr Idahosa and i copied his email and
later that night i sent him a message concerning my health.
He later gave me a response and then we talked about the medicine and he
said to me he was going to send the medicine to my home address and that he
needed my address of where i reside.
I sent him all he requested for in other to get the medicine ready for me,
and after 3 days i received a mail from the Post Office and to my surprised
it was the herbal medicine from Dr Idahosa.
He explained to me on how i was to take the medicine, he said i was to take
2 times daily for 14 days, i followed exactly as i was told, before he sent
me the medicine he said that i should go for check up after finish drinking
the medicine, so after i finished the medicine i went back to the hospital
for check up and to my greatest surprise again i was told that i am
negative, i know someone would not believed this, but it did happened to a
brother like me, i have always dreamed of living in good health again,
thank god everything went well for me and thank god for Dr Idahosa Miracle
Healing Medicine, you can reach Dr Idahosa at {
dridahosasolutioncenter@gmail.com } or call him on +2348134261542, friends
this man has a cure to all human disease, do not believe in medical drugs,
let try some Natural Remedy.
Forever remain grateful Doc....

Reply
Slavin
2/6/2020 12:04:18 pm

Canine Red Cell when nothing else works.

Reply
lisa tommy
3/5/2020 09:51:02 pm

This has really worked and I am proud to testify of it. I saw a post on how a lady got her man back by Dr Jato. He helped her to get her Ex Husband back. My Husband divorce me 2 years ago to live with another woman and i have try to let go of him but i could not, so i try to do many things to get him back and he refuse to come back to me. I visit a forum one day for tips to get him back and there is saw a lady testifying of how Dr Jato helped he to get her man back after he was tie down with a spell by another woman and Dr Jato was the one that help her. Although I never believed in spiritual work I reluctantly tried him because I was desperate and i contact him and explain my problems to him, to my greatest surprise Dr Jato helped me to bring back my man after 2 days and now my relationship is now perfect just as he promised. Getting your ex back permanently spell does not only bring back someone you love but it will also re-ignite your lovers feelings for you to be as happy with that person. My man now treats me like a queen and always say he love me all the time. If you are passing through difficulties in your relationship Email him for urgent help.E-mail: jatolovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp/Call him at +2348140033827
thank you Dr Jato for the help..

Reply
mary morgan
3/19/2020 04:07:33 am

FINALLY FREE FROM HERPES VIRUS
I thought my life had nothing to offer anymore because life became meaningless to me because I had Herpes virus, the symptoms became very severe and bold and made my family run from and abandoned me so they won't get infected. I gave up everything, my hope, dreams,vision and job because the doctor told me there's no cure. I consumed so many drugs but they never cured me but hid the symptoms inside me making it worse. I was doing some research online someday when I came across testimonies of some people of how Dr ehiaguna cured them from Herpes, I never believed at first and thought it was a joke but later decided to contact him on the details provided and when I messaged him we talked and he sent me his herbal medicine and told me to go for a test after two weeks. Within 7 days of medication the symptoms disappeared and when I went for a test Lo and behold I was NEGATIVE by the Doctor Who tested me earlier. Thank you Dr ehiaguna because I forever owe you my life and I'll keep on telling the world about you. If you are going through same situation worry no more and contact Dr ehiaguna via drehiaguna@gmail.com or WhatsApp him via +2348073908953 he is good too to cure all type of disease and virus.1 HIV cure
2 cancer
3 diabetes
4 hepatitis
5 herpes.
You can contact if you are having any problem...

Reply
leslie jordan
6/11/2020 03:35:17 pm

Its a miracle that I am alive today. I encounter HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV1/2) for good four (4) years, before I meet the great Dr.okosun I am Leslie Jordan  from Fresno California, united state of America and I was affected with herpes virus. Herpes is a viral infection cause by the Herpes simplex virus, marked by painful, watery blister in the skin or mucous membrane or on the genitals. This was what I suffered for good four years. I have visited CVS Pharmacy in Fresno for treatment but no improvement. I meet Dr. Okosun online while I was searching for herpes cure I read a testimony about his work. I give a try that now becomes a testimony in my life am now fully cured. kindly contacted Dr okosun via   WhatsApp  +2348124363791 or  email him on drokosun55@gmail.com  visit his website  https://drokosun55.weebly.com
And here is my email address incase you wanna know more about this doctor, lesliejordan363@gmail.com

Reply
juwan ben
7/3/2020 06:22:06 am

First, I want to complement this page administrator for creating this platform for us to express our feelings. Herpes is a serious and recurring disease which can't be cured through drugs or injections by the American doctors but the best way to deal with herpes is by taking natural herbs medicine from DR. ISHIAKU the greatest herbalist doctor in the world and is only few American doctors that know about this herbal medicine from Dr ISHIAKU .. I have read about Dr ISHIAKU the great herbalist doctor from African who can cure disease with his powerful herbal medicine. for the people suffering from the following diseases, Herpes,HIV/Aids, Cancer, Also, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Hpv, Infections ETC should contact him for his herbal medicine because i am a living testimony and i was cured of herpes. Although, i sent him what he requested and he sent me his medicine through DHL courier delivery company which i took for 10 days and today when i went for test i was tested herpes negative. you can reach him through his email (ishiakuherbalcure@gmail.com) or WhatsApp him at +2348180828544

Reply
Maris James
7/12/2020 10:41:48 pm

I was diagnosed of HERPES Virus in 2016 and I have tried all I can to get cured but all to no avail, until i saw a post in a health forum about a herbalist man who prepare herbal medication to cure all kind of diseases including HERPES virus, at first i doubted if it was real but decided to give it a try , when i contact this herbalist via his email and he prepared a HERPES herbal cure and sent it to me via UPS delivery company service, when i received this herbal cure, he gave me step by directions on how to apply it, when i applied it as instructed, i was totally cured of this deadly disease within 14days of usage, I am now free from the deadly disease called herpes, all thanks to Dr.akhanene you can rich this great herbal doctor via his email: (drakhanenespellhome@gmail.com)call or whatsapp him on his mobile number +2348168714427

Reply
tiffany
8/17/2020 04:05:55 pm

vIt’s obvious some patients with herpes are being enslaved to the antiviral and other supplementary Orthodox medicine just to help suppress the virus and not a cure. I have been with the virus since 2015 until I was introduced by a blogger who also narrated her story online on how she was cured of Genital Herpes after using Dr bobizua Herbal Medicine. This is a year and 2 weeks since I was delivered from genital Herpes. All thanks to God for using this Great herbalist to heal me. I have promised to keep telling good things about Dr bobizua. Please feel free to share Your problems with him and don’t forget to tell him I did refer you to Him. Thanks. Write him on mail drbobizua20@gmail.com He deals with Alzheimer virus, Cancer, HIV, Herpes, Genital, warts, ALS, BV, UTI, Virginal infection, Genital, Wart, HPV, Hepatitis A/B, Good luck charms, HSV, Pregnancy, Ex back.
for more info
email_--drbobizua20@gmail.com
call\whatsapp _ +2347026251438
https://www.facebook.com/drbobizua/

Reply
Justin Luis link
10/16/2020 04:49:49 am

Your article is very informative. Many healthy diets to boost fat and fiber is sure to help your dog gain weight, and the nutrients will prevent him from having an upset stomach. Thanks!

Reply
tessy love
10/24/2020 02:57:56 am

I'm so happy today that i have the opportunity to share the good news about a spiritual herbalist i met sometimes ago who healed up my HSV 1 from my body system..he gave me a herbal cure which was delivered to me 3days after my order and i went back for my check up after 14days of using the cure and i was whole again... contact him on his WhatsApp number +2349038382931 Or email him on oliha.miraclemedicine@gmail.com or website is https://olihamiraclemedicine.webs.com/  

Reply



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Consult with your veterinarian before applying any of the information contained within this website, its blog, or via consultations. K9 Instinct recommends involving your veterinarian in any plans to utilize the information provided by K9 Instinct, and cannot be held accountable for any damages incurred by the use or misuse of any information provided by K9 Instinct. The guidance of your veterinarian is strongly recommended!