I just saved a dog from someone who did not take care of him properly. He was killing their chickens and so they stuck him in a cage for god knows how long! He has scars and scabs on his head from hitting the top of the cage when he was jumping up in there. He is a 2 year old full blooded German Shepard and is very skinny! (You can see his ribs.) I already have a dog and thought that he would gorge on his food, but he doesn't. What can I feed to him to make him gain some weight and look healthy? Also, he is very aggressive towards cats and I have one. Does anyone have any ideas on how to curb that? I really don't want to get rid of him and I don't want to stress my cat out either!! Help!! Any serious inquiries would totally help me out! Thanks!!

labman

Take him and a stool sample to the vet and let the vet check for worms. Likely the former owner wasn't getting him the medical attention he needed. The vet should check for heart worm too. Fortunately we lose fewer dogs with the newer heartworm cures. Unless you have a severe winter already setting in, get him on heartworm preventative and keep him on it all year long.

Feed a dry concentrated chow, doesn't need to be an expensive, premium one, Pro Plan, Iams, Eukanube or even a house brand. If you are feeding your other dog a concentrated chow, may as well feed the same one to both.

Feed him all he wants. Once the vet clears up any health problems, he should eat at least enough that the ribs only show a little. Most dogs will eat more than is good for them and look for more. Shepherds often don't. It doesn't hurt for the ribs to show a little. Many Grate Danes are that way too. I even had a Lab that was that way once.

binx44

Satin Balls
This recipe is one for putting weight on an animal quickly, as some use it for putting a couple extra pounds on a show animal prior to the big day, or an animal that may have been ill and needs a weight gain program. It has also been reported that this recipe will help with some forms of hair loss, such as when your dog(s) blow their coat, to keep the coat healthy and shiny. This recipe is entended to be fed raw.

10# hamburger meat
1 jar wheat germ
1 lg box of oatmeal (uncooked)
1 1/4 Cup vegetable oil
10 eggs
10 sm pkgs unflavored gelatin
1 1/4 Cup unflavored molasses
A pinch of salt
1 lg box Total cereal (2lb's)
(You may also add a pinch of garlic powder to add flavor)

Mix all ingredients together well, much like a meatloaf....put into separate freezer bags and freeze, thawing out as needed. It puts weight on in a very short time, not to mention the gloss in their coat. You can use it every day when they have a show to do and it does not produce diarrhea. It can be fed alone or with kibble.
The only thing i didnt like about the recipie is the sugar in the total cereal so if you think the same way i do then here is the recipie for a weight gain suppliment called fat balls... i know the names sound funny but they do usually work

1 lb ground beef
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 jar all natural peanut butter
1 jar (smaller of the sizes) wheat germ
1 doz egg yolks
1 cup or so of flaked oats soaked in heavy cream
Mix up, form balls, freeze, feed as treats or food supplement.

I had success with bolth types using them to help a rottweiler and boxer to gain weight i hope i have helped you. good luck.. Just dont overfeed him check to see what a dog his size and age should weigh.. and watch the weight gain closely

tre_cani

I'm not sure that giving a dog dairy products (cream cheese and heavy cream) is wise as they can cause diarrhea in some animals, which is not what you want when you're trying to add weight!

It's not really necessary to make such elaborate meals to add weight to a dog. Try feeding a high quality dry food made for active pets.

If the dog doesn't eat it well, try soaking it with warm water.

binx44

http://www.njboxers.com/satin-balls-recipe.htm healthfood website tis where i found it

tre_cani

If it works for your pet, great. I'm just saying that it is not necessary to prepare such a meal when a good quality dry food will do the same and that dairy isn't so good for dogs. Why complicate the problem?

binx44

*looks back at my post...* that is quite the ammount now that i look at it. When i used it on my dog i didnt use it every day... You do have a point there. thankyou for pointing it out to me

doggie_poopie

Pure dairy isn't good, but when mixed into a receipe like that one is fine. I would be concerned with heartworms, intestinal parasites, but even more bacterial infections from the chickens. If he has open wounds antibiotics may be warrented. Otherwise, placing a soaked, warm Chamomile tea bag on the areas will help help them quicker.
DO NOT EVER let anyone tell you a store brand pet food is good enough!!!!

Emily94

well my friend has the same problem and she mixes hamburger with with wet dog food and leaves the dog alone. the reason might be when it atacked the chickens it thought they were food and he got in trouble now that you are feeding him he thinks he might get in trouble so when he does eat give it lots of praise.

labman

This post is 100 % nonsense. Millions of dogs are doing quite well on commercial dog chows including extreamly valuble service dogs I am very familiar with.