View Full Version : What to give a dog to put on weight?
NCalabro
Sep 25, 2011, 04:55 AM
I just adopted a shih-poo from a local rescue and he is SUPER thin. I read some other advice about giving puppy food to help. He is 1 year old. Do I give all puppy food or mix in with the adult food I give him now?
I have him on Blue Buffalo Small breed adult.
Thanks!
Lucky098
Sep 25, 2011, 11:38 AM
Seeing as he is from a rescue or shelter, feeding him adult food will put weight on just fine.
If you find after a few weeks that the adult food is not putting on weight, then start to introduce the fatty foods such as puppy food.
Feed him small meals throughout the day and I would suggest to keep exercise limited to what he wants to do on his own.
Some skinny dogs just have a lack of groceries. Feeding him and starting him on a schedule and reducing stress in his life will help put meat on his bones.
Also, contacting your vet will also help you figure out what to do with your skinny dog. He may put your dog on a special diet that is high in calories to get him to gain too.. also, to rule out any parasitic infections and so on.
But that's what I would do. Don't turn to puppy food right away... puppy food can give them diarrhea because it is so rich.
hellopeople
Sep 25, 2011, 06:09 PM
The best food for dogs is raw meat, supplemented with ground chicken bones and liver.
This is what I have fed my dogs for many years, which has had amazing health effects. One dog was cured of epilepsy instantly and both put on much shinier beautiful coats.
Commercial dog food is often quite poor nutritionally. Remember the original dog food that hit the market was made of sawdust and molasses and the industry has not gone very far.
Especially for a dog with compromised health this could be very therapeutic. Google raw meat pet diets for more info.
NCalabro
Sep 26, 2011, 12:40 PM
I had Roo at the vet today. Dr Pete said Blue Buffalo is one of the best foods for him. He said about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup twice a day would be beneficial for him. Roo got his rabies shot today and will get his heartworm done next week.