My Rottweiler is 6 months old today and she only weights 43 lb. Is this normal? From blogs on the website they s/b approx. 66 lb. My vet was not concerned when we brought her there for a complete check up after we got her home.

How recently did she see the Vet?

I had a GSD that was always thin, tall but thin. The Vet was never alarmed and said that the suggested weights are just that, suggested.

Is she otherwise healthy? Is she smaller than the average Rott?

Congrats on the dog, by the way - I had a Rott and she was a GREAT dog. Fearsome looking but obedient, a great companion, very smart.

All dogs differ, as long as the vet says she is healthy than I would go with that. If you are concerned about her weight you could try adding a little more protein to her diet. Here are some recipes that I use. Remember to introduce slowly to avoid potential pancreaitis. What dog food are you feeding him now?



Here is the Fat Ball recipe I use

FAT BALLS
... for weight gain...

10 lb (4.53kg) Hamburger
10 oz (.28kg) Oats
6 Egg Yolks
10 oz (.28kg) Wheat Germ
10 oz (.28kg) Molasses

Put in a big bowl and mix.
Roll into one inch balls and freeze.


Pint whole fat Cottage Cheese
1 lb turkey (or any other ground meat) burger (raw)
2-3 eggs - boiled in the shell for 30 seconds*
2 tablespoons Flax Seed or Olive oil
1 can sardines or tuna fish

It is full of protein, essential fatty acids and digestive enzymes.

*Boiling the eggs for 30 seconds denature the whites and leave the benefits of the yolks intact.




FATTENING TREATS

Doggie Peanut Cheese Balls

1 dozen hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 lb jar crunchy peanut butter
1 container of Quaker Oatmeal
2 cups of evaporated milk, (Don't dilute! )
1 jar wheat germ
1 lb hamburger
8oz. Package cream cheese
1 envelope Knox Gelatin Joint Complex, (unflavoured)

In one bowl, pour the evaporated milk over the oatmeal and put aside. Go have a cup of coffee, while you wait for oats to absorb the liquid!

In a second Large Bowl, place all the other ingredients. Start mixing together, hands work best. Add the oatmeal and evaporated milk mixture, and mix again. When thoroughly blended, form into meatball sized treats, layering in a plastic freezer container. Freeze until needed. Remove a few at a time, allow to thaw, and feed as fattening snacks!

Of course you need to use and feed these in moderation. Sudden weight gain can cause far more problems than being a little bit under weight.

I would also skip the sardines and use a cod liver oil, it has richer fatty acids, and much better for your dogs coat!