[TacoLove87]

:confused:

Ok he was about the size of a soda at the age of 10 weeks and chubby and after I got him he stopped eating. I had a bowl of dry food and a bowl of wet food and water and occasional chicken or whatever meat I had and he got so skinny to the point his legs and arms were bones and his back and ribs would show so much. After a few months he started eating this new wet food that I got him and he ate it, then a few months after that he isn't ALL bones but he still is too skinny he's about a year old now and has a stomach that looks like there's nothing in it and ribs are still bulged out! I don't understand! He eats maybe a hand full of dry food everyday and every couple of days I give him his wet food and he has every opportunity in each day to eat when ever he pleases!! I don't understand!!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2...TacoLovewa.jpg <<<

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[labman]

I think he looks fine in the picture. I couldn't see a trace of a rib, and he has a nice waist. You need to go to the sticky in the Dog Forum and read the ''My dog won't eat.'', https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post254171 It has a link to a guide to evaluating your dog. What does your vet say? Most dogs are overweight and will live a shorter life because of it. It is more common for Shepherds, but some dogs refuse to eat more than they need. As he is, he may not look like other Chihuahuas, but may live longer.

If your vet agrees he is still too thin, have him checked for worms or other problems. Otherwise, follow the procedure in the sticky to get him eating all dry food. It is better for their teeth and jaws. It also helps scrape off the bad breath causing tartar.

I asked to have your question moved to the dog forum. Maybe it should be left where people with kids that won't eat, could see the link to the sticky.

Here are some dogs maintained at a proper body condition:

[RubyPitbull]

I looked at the picture too. Your dog looks beautiful and perfectly healthy. All dogs legs are boney and muscular. So, in case you need a second opinion, I agree fully with labman. Please follow all of his advice. And whenever you are at all unsure ad to what is going on with your dog, please bring Taco into your vet for a full evaluation. We depend on our vets feedback to ensure our dogs are healthy and at proper weight.

[mrscoltweaver]

This is far out there but I don't know all the facts! Is it possible the vet checked for birth defects such as heart defect, liver shunt, etc? Does he play normally or get tired quickly? Are his BMs normal and does he vomit? If all seems OK, don't rock the boat! Talk to your vet as labman says and make sure the food he DOES eat is very high quality and correct in caloric balance for his size and breed. FYI; if the vet says he looks good, why are you worried? Maybe he did not get the memo that thin is not in...