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-   -   I need my dog to gain weight (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=17943)

  • Jan 15, 2006, 11:25 PM
    megaman87
    I need my dog to gain weight
    Hello I was just wondering I have a dog is an american pitbull terrier but he doesn't gain weight I already used redcell to see if that would help but it doesn't I mean he does gain weight but his body doesn't change he looks the same but heavier so I would like to know if any one knows how to make him gain weight and for him to look bigger . Some people says that is because I make him do a lot of exercise but I guess that is not the reason and I checked him for all type of worms and he is clean I would really appreciate it if someone could help me
  • Jan 16, 2006, 07:48 AM
    fredg
    Weight gain
    Hi, Megaman,
    Have you talked with your Vet about wanting your dog to gain weight?
    Your Vet would be able to let you know what the average weight should be for your dog for a long, healthy life. Too much overweight can reduce a dog's life in years. Please check with him/her.
  • Jan 16, 2006, 09:23 AM
    DJ 'H'
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by fredg
    Hi, Megaman,
    Have you talked with your Vet about wanting your dog to gain weight?
    Your Vet would be able to let you know what the average weight should be for your dog for a long, healthy life. Too much overweight can reduce a dog's life in years. Please check with him/her.

    I agree with Fredg - the vet will be able to advise you on this, your dog may not need to gain weight. As long as he is healthy!!
  • Jan 16, 2006, 10:18 AM
    labman
    How old is he and do his ribs show? It is natural for dogs to continue to fill out after they are a year old. Put him on any good dog food. If he is truly too lean, the concentrated, meat based products will help. Compare him to this chart.

    September 07, link to chart replaced with LongLiveYourDog.com - Life Span Study - Rate Your Dog

    Don't be too quick to fatten him up. If he is still young, his joints need time to develop before being asked to carry too much weight. Too much exercise can cause weak joints too. Stick to low impact things like swimming. Avoid jumping or running on hard surfaces until more like 2 years old.
  • Jan 16, 2006, 10:27 AM
    lilfyre
    1. First did you take him to the vet?
    2. Did the veterinarian say he needs weight?
    3. Why would you want him to look bigger?
    4. Why are you exercising to the point that he is not gaining weight?
    5. Why would you give you dog red cell which is used mainly as a horse supplement?



    Red cell liquid is a supplement of vitamins, iron, and minerals for dogs. This product has been shown to increase red blood cells and increase stamina. Usual dosage is 1 to 2 teaspoons per day depending on body weight.

    Why would you want to increase the stamina of you dog? This whole thing smalls really bad,
    Lets add this all up Pit-bull ,Look larger ,Increase the stamina by giving your dog Red Cell, Over exercised and wont gain weight,

    Sound like you want to try to fight your dog,
  • Jan 16, 2006, 10:30 AM
    RickJ
    Good points being made here...

    megaman87, exactly why is it that you think your dog needs to gain weight?
  • Jan 16, 2006, 09:49 PM
    jennapbt
    The average apbt shouldn't be anymore than 65 lbs. They are just like humans though they should weigh as proportioned to their structure and height and age. If it is a puppy meaning anything less than 1.5 years you shouldn't worry about messing w/ his weight let him grow to what he's going to be. If he's older than that how much does he weigh now and how tall is he. Pit bulls are lean muscular dogs and shouldn't appear to be "big". One of my pit bulls is 40lbs which is the proper weight for her age and size. If you stand above your dog you should see the arch of the ribcage it should be a nice oval size not on the round side and not on the flat side. In this breed it is typical of some bloodlines to see a few ribs that is normal. The hips should be well defined and muscular, being able to slightly feel the upper most part of the hips. If you feel from the stop to the occupult which is the topline of his skull in between his ears you should only feel a slight bump which is his skull. The cheeks should be well defined. If you still have any concern ask your vet if he is the proper weight. Feeding improper diets and vitamins could cause problems if not taken with care. If you feed your dog a good nutritional diet and he has good exercise your dog is what he's going to be and making him fat isn't the best option. It will only cause even more problems. Love your dog for who he is not for what you want him to look like of the stereotype of the breed.
  • Jan 18, 2006, 02:51 PM
    megaman87
    My dogs ribs doesn't show but I'm worried because I seen different pitbulls and they are much thicker than mine last time I talk to the vet he said he had a nice body proportion and he looked very athletic but I just wanted another opinion and about the red cell I never would fight my pit I just fed him because I talked to a lady and she said that red cell would increase my dogs weight but thanks to all of you >
  • Jan 18, 2006, 02:58 PM
    megaman87
    Hey lab man thanks for the help but you know what if those images that you show me are right then I guess my dog has the ideal body weight cause if you see him from above you can see his weights and his ribcase doesn't show and so why so many pitbulls lood like really thick >
  • Jan 18, 2006, 04:43 PM
    labman
    I hope you are not offended by the questions about fighting. We are here because we love dogs and want to help. Once in a while, we don't have enough details to be sure we aren't helping somebody that is abusing their dog. Such questions are very difficult for us to answer.

    As I said, even maintaining good body condition, a mature dog will look stockier than one a year old. Of my dogs that went away to dog guide school at a year old, I am surprised how different they look in a few months in their graduation picture. Here is a picture that sort of illustrates it. Both the yellow Lab, about 12, and the black one, less than a year, are good lean dogs. Still, they look quite different. The other 2 dogs are my daughter's. The little Shepherd is a fine, big boy now. I'm jealous.

    http://www.photolocker.net/images/Labman/4dogsin05.jpg

    In the past, dog nutrition wasn't as well understood as it is now. Dogs need a diet that is complete and balanced. All but the cheapest commercial dog foods provide exactly what dogs need. Adding something like the Red Cell upsets the balance and is more likely to cause problems than solve them. Just feed him his dog chow.
  • Jan 19, 2006, 01:56 PM
    megaman87
    Thank you all for helping me and about the fighting thing I don't mind I like people who love their dogs because I love mine too and I don't like dog violence because its cruel . But thank you all for helping I appriciate it
  • Sep 19, 2007, 08:38 AM
    princess0420
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by megaman87
    Hello I was just wondering i have a dog is an american pitbull terrier but he doesnt gain weight i already used redcell to see if that would help but it doesnt i mean he does gain weight but his body doesnt change he looks the same but heavier so i would like to know if any one knows how to make him gain weight and for him to look bigger . Some people says that is because i make him do a lot of excercise but i guess that is not the reason and i checked him for all type of worms and he is clean i would really appreciate it if someone could help me

    I am having the same problem with my pitbull. I have been give him more muscle building exercise
  • Sep 19, 2007, 10:51 AM
    labman
    Since the last post to this old thread, I have added a sticky on the subject of dogs not eating enough at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post254171

    It contains a link to a better guide to evaluating a dogs condition than my earlier post. Dogs are genetically programed to reach a certain size. Feeding more will only lead to life shortening obesity. You can condition tem to build more muscle. If you work them excessively before a year or2 old, you can damage their joints.
  • Sep 25, 2007, 02:00 PM
    cute_evil
    Go to this site and use this recipie Recipe for Satin Balls
  • Sep 25, 2007, 06:23 PM
    labman
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by cute_evil
    go to this site and use this recipie Recipe for Satin Balls

    This post has 3 major flaws in descending order:

    1 The recipe includes raw eggs which can cause food poising not only in the dog, but also in a person that doesn't wash their hands after preparing them or handling them. Even if the vet referenced really was a vet, a few of them are kooks, lacking the support of most other vets.

    2 There is nothing in the thread to suggest it is the sort of emergency where tempting the dog with rich food is necessary. As I explain in the sticky, already referenced in this thread, https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post254171 it is nearly always the wrong thing to do.

    3 It helps nobody to dig up old threads and post bad answers long after the problem was solved.

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