Skinny dog - advice please!!!

cocobubbles · 06-02-2015 2:35pm #1

Hi, we found an abandoned dog a few months back (she was like a walking skeleton) We took her to the vet to get checked over etc but she's hardly put on any weight, we're feeding her loads (Royal Canin medium adult) but you can still see her ribs! Any advice on how to fatten her up? Thanks in advance!

VonVix · 06-02-2015 2:42pm

What breed is she? Has she been checked by the vet specifically about the weight issue? What's her activity level?

Nody · 06-02-2015 2:48pm

Puppy food; higher fat content.

muddypaws · 06-02-2015 2:49pm

if you want to feed Royal Canin, switch her to Medium Sensible, its higher in fat than the medium adult. How often are you feeding her? Little and often is the best way to get weight onto skinny dogs, if you overfeed, a dog can actually lose weight, as they don't digest it all. If you can, feed four times a day, so that her system has time to digest it and get the benefits before her next meal.

223vmax · 06-02-2015 2:50pm

Make sure the dog's wormed with a good wormer and feed scraps from butcher as well as puppy food. Watch for loose stool though.

cocobubbles · 06-02-2015 3:27pm

VonVix wrote: »

What breed is she? Has she been checked by the vet specifically about the weight issue? What's her activity level?

She's a springer/lab cross. Normal activity level, goes for a walk twice a day. I haven't brought her back to the vet since I got her but he said at the time that she was most likely malnourished and underfed and that it would take time to fatten her up!

cocobubbles · 06-02-2015 3:29pm

muddypaws wrote: »

if you want to feed Royal Canin, switch her to Medium Sensible, its higher in fat than the medium adult. How often are you feeding her? Little and often is the best way to get weight onto skinny dogs, if you overfeed, a dog can actually lose weight, as they don't digest it all. If you can, feed four times a day, so that her system has time to digest it and get the benefits before her next meal.

Thanks for the info muddypaws, she's fed twice a day and she literally inhales the food, I timed her the other day and she had the bowl clean in 15 seconds!!!:eek:

cocobubbles · 06-02-2015 3:30pm

223vmax wrote: »

Make sure the dog's wormed with a good wormer and feed scraps from butcher as well as puppy food. Watch for loose stool though.

What's the best wormer to get to kill any/all parasites? She was given a worming tablet a few months back but she's due another dose now!

muddypaws · 06-02-2015 3:32pm

cocobubbles wrote: »

Thanks for the info muddypaws, she's fed twice a day and she literally inhales the food, I timed her the other day and she had the bowl clean in 15 seconds!!!:eek:

Poor girl, being undernourished, and a lab cross, not really surprising :P

it might help to feed her from a Kong or similar, if it doesn't frustrate her too much, slow her down a bit.

MrWalsh · 06-02-2015 3:34pm

If she has the bowl clean in seconds AND she is still skinny, maybe you need to feed her more food?

Definitely feed her more frequent portions.

cocobubbles · 06-02-2015 3:43pm

MrWalsh wrote: »

If she has the bowl clean in seconds AND she is still skinny, maybe you need to feed her more food?

Definitely feed her more frequent portions.

I'm feeding her nearly double of what she's supposed to get per day, so maybe I should break that down into 4 feeds per day instead of 2?

cocobubbles · 06-02-2015 3:44pm

I use Drontal to worm my other dogs, is that the best on the market?

MrWalsh · 06-02-2015 3:52pm

cocobubbles wrote: »

I'm feeding her nearly double of what she's supposed to get per day, so maybe I should break that down into 4 feeds per day instead of 2?

Id ignore whats she is "supposed" to get, until you see the weight coming up. And yes, 4 feeds sounds better.

223vmax · 06-02-2015 4:01pm

Drontal is ok but I use Milbemax tablets. Vets only and ensure you administer the correct dosage which is essential for correct treatment.

muddypaws · 06-02-2015 4:12pm

cocobubbles wrote: »

I'm feeding her nearly double of what she's supposed to get per day, so maybe I should break that down into 4 feeds per day instead of 2?

I'd probably up it a bit, but just shovelling food in won't make a dog put on weight, it will just come out undigested. If you have a huge blow out meal, what happens next?

ZiabR · 06-02-2015 4:52pm

cocobubbles wrote: »

Thanks for the info muddypaws, she's fed twice a day and she literally inhales the food, I timed her the other day and she had the bowl clean in 15 seconds!!!:eek:

My lab has this issue and what I found to work for her was to pour boiling water over the food. Leave it for 5-8 minutes and the dog eats ALOT slower and it makes for easier digestion.

tk123 · 06-02-2015 4:55pm

Maybe try a go-slow/anti-gulp bowl OP as well as the increased food? A good quality wet food might be a good option too - eg Rocco, Lukullus, Rinti are god value from zooplus

muddypaws · 06-02-2015 5:56pm

logik wrote: »

My lab has this issue and what I found to work for her was to pour boiling water over the food. Leave it for 5-8 minutes and the dog eats ALOT slower and it makes for easier digestion.

Sorry to be pedantic, but you shouldn't use boiling water, it impacts on the make up of the food, and lessens its goodness. Luke warm or cold water is fine, I always put water on my dogs' kibble, to slow them down and to ensure they are hydrated

Skinny dog - advice please!!!

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