Though obesity is a major concern for many dog owners, there are times that a dog will need to gain weight. Most unattended dogs that end up at a shelter will require put on the pounds.
In other instances, unhappiness and health conditions can make your dog grow thin. And underweight dogs often are prone to many problems.
If you have an underweight dog, and this can be stressful in getting her to put on weight. People are rather fast to judge, even when you are making efforts to help your dog’s weight increase. here is an article for your dog to eat: Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?
Be sure to talk to your vet or Likeable Pets if you really are struggling to help your dog increase its weight. Dogs that keep losing weight even when they are eating food. Or they might have a sudden change in appetite, leading to seeing a vet quickly.
Even then, before you start making diet changes, it’s essential that you consult with a qualified vet. They will be able to identify if weight gain would be best and offer you valuable guidelines on ways that you can do it right.
How Do I Identifying My Dog’s Problem?
To start your dog on the recovery process, you will need to identify why he is underweight. Such information will help you come up with a strategy that helps. If you just adopted your pet, the probable culprit is malnourishment and stress. But, healthy dogs might also drop their weight time due to various reasons.
Below is a look at some of these reasons.
Inferior Food
Your pet’s food plays a big role in their general health. It’s crucial that you provide your dog with high-quality foods, which supply them, all the necessary nutritional content. Cheaper foods will use substandard ingredients that might cause more harm in the end.
Unhealthy ingredients such as soy and corn aren’t good for dogs. These are used in the cheap foods in place of pure protein. Though your dog is eating all the foods you provide, it’s possible it does not support your dog enough.
Illness
When a dog’s stomach is not feeling well, he will stop eating. Often, this problem will lessen after 1-2 days. But, if your pet has lost a significant amount of weight, it is possible the problem is more serious than it appears.
A common issue that causes a dramatic loss of weight is parasite infestation. Worms may be spread via water, fecal matter, and much more. It can be hard to tell when your dog is suffering from worms.
Most worms may take months to show up in your pet’s poop. Yet, they’re wrecking havoc in your pup’s gastrointestinal tract. They will absorb lots of the nutrients that are needed by your pet to live him with only a fraction of food consumed leading to weight loss.
When you suspect it’s an issue, take your pet to the vet. Vets will give proper diagnosis and give you treatment options which will improve your dog’s appetite.
Behavioral Problems
When your dog isn’t eating, you could monitor their behavior. Several dogs are rather picky eaters. They might get bored with their usual kibble or not like some ingredients. When this is the case, you’ll need to change up foods till you get one that works. Alternatively, you could add some supplementary gravy to improve the appearance of the food.
Another problem that could affect your dog’s appetite is anxiety or depression. Dog’s can undergo different emotions like humans do. Such emotions could cause loss of appetite and extreme lethargy. This is common with pups that have been in new homes or have a traumatic event.
How Can I Know If My Dog Has the Right Weight?
As you try to determine the right weight for your pet, your vet’s office is the best place to start. Different dog breeds will naturally have stockier or slimmer look, and your vet will help ensure you create befitting weight gain goals for your dog.
Remember “normal” does not mean healthy for most breeds. It’s usual to see Labs, Pugs, and Chihuahuas that resemble small hippos — yet that doesn’t imply it’s healthy. The reminder works both ways: healthy greyhounds will be rather boney!
It’s normal to see a few ribs and hip bones on healthy greyhounds, while the same level of bonyness for most other breeds it’s concerning.
Generally, you should see a narrowing on your dog’s waist. Many dog breeds need to have visible faint ribcage outlines.
You will notice a difference in your pet’s weight depending on activity level. For instance, a border collie has “competition weight” to be agile, canicross and herding, he’s muscular and lean. Allow your dog to gain some weight in early winter when she is in her “off season.” She stays healthy and fit, but doesn’t need to be trim year-round!
Best Dog Foods to Help Dogs Gain Weight
After your dog is feeding again, putting the suitable food in her bowl (or puzzle toy) helps make weight gain easy and smooth.
Discuss with your vet through this process when your dog is chronically malnourished or he has a delicate stomach. Then your vet will want you to replace bulky foods with alternatives that are easier on its stomach.
Below are some suitable foods for weight gain:
- Bully Max High-Performance Food: A high-fat, high-protein food with premium ingredients and a price tag to match. Though marketed for bully breeds, any dog breed can use it.
- Elite K9 Maximum All Stages Dog Foods: It is also marketed heavily for bully breeds, but it will help all dogs gain weight and muscle. This brand also offers pumpkin and oatmeal in its food, assisting to soothe digestive systems.
- Nature’s Logic Canine Meal Feast: A meat-based meal which comes with various enzymes and probiotics help keep your dog’s stomach calm as she gains weight. This is available in different flavors and protein sources, hence, it’s a good option for pets with allergies.
- Blue Buffalo Protection Adult Food: it is formulated with 6 six and Omega 3 and Glucosamine to protect your pet’s coat, skin, and joints. It has way more brown rice compared to other foods on the list, but it’s a great option for dogs with joint or skin issues.
Have a goal and plan accordingly
Among the biggest mistakes that you could make is to start the task with no a plan. In switching methods midway through can confuse your pet and throw off their progress. You will need to be firm on how you will get this done, considering dogs are very good with routine.
Increasing Your Pet’s Caloric Consumption
The simplest way to help your dog put on some weight is to change the number of calories you offer your dog. For the next few weeks and even months, you’ll notice your dog add on weight. Even a slight change will make a big difference eventually.
Start Slow
To guarantee that your dog adds weight in a good and healthy way, you should start the procedure slowly. Giving your dog too much food might lead to many health problems. A very common is one is the re-feeding syndrome. It occurs when an undernourished dog is given large food quantities too suddenly. Their bodies cannot handle such a change. They’ll undergo hormonal and electrolyte fluctuations.
Start by examining their present caloric intake then add 10 percent. Continue with the additional 10% increase for about a week. During this time, monitor your pet’s behavior and progress. Ensure that they are managing the food all right.
Again, have a look at your pet’s stool to confirm it’s healthy. After around a week, you could add an additional 10%. Continue repeating this each week until your pup reaches a healthy calorie count.
Calorie-Dense Foods
When your pet is already comfortable eating sizable food portions each day. You could consider changing to a formula, which is packed with calories. The high-quality food contains more nutritional value per piece of dog kibble than the cheaper options.
Opt for foods that contain more protein. Not just that, but selects wholesome proteins like chicken, beef, fish, chicken, and lamb. Real meat sources contain more amino acids compared to other meals or byproducts.
Look for dog food that contains 20% and more protein content. Also, you can provide foods with somewhat higher fat contents than roughly 10 percent average. However, do so sparingly. The best way is you always go with lots of protein that can be turned into muscle mass.
As you’re picking a calorie-rich program, take a look at the ingredients list and select something that has a more kilocalorie amount.
Food Supplements
Another way is to add supplements to your pup’s food to add their calorie consumption and ensure that they get the nutrients they require. This option is great for picky eater dogs. Mixing whatever wet food or some dog-approved gravy and the pup’s dry kibble is one common option. This is a fast way to increase calories and even enhance the taste.
Alternatively, you add some balls of real food. Cook chicken or beef add a nice calorie boost. Those foods that have a higher content in Vitamin B are best. Vitamin B helps break down these foods that your pet and turned them into usable energy.
A few examples of Vitamin B-rich foods are liver and liver. Similar to any diet changes, it’s essential to add the above-mentioned ingredients slowly to avoid your pooch getting gastrointestinal upsets.
Give Homemade Meals
Though commercially available dog meals are great, the nutritional content in raw homemade meals is unbeatable. For homemade meals, it is possible to change the recipe to favor your dog’s unique requirements. Of the most common recipes is Satin Balls.
This Satin Ball recipe has been used commonly for dogs that require gaining weight within a rather short time. Shelters often use it to help bony dogs recover. They’re full of calories and don’t have any unsavory stuff which you’d find cheaper kibble. These balls are easy to make and may be stored in a fridge for future consumption.
Also, dogs love its taste!
Divide Meals
Dividing up your dog’s calories into several smaller meals every day will have a big difference, particularly when you’re working with a pet with lower appetite. Smaller portions will, in the end, increase your pet dog’s energy levels and metabolism throughout the day.
Also, your dog will get more excited to get food at mealtimes. Picky to might see their food as boring after it’s stayed out for over a few hours.
As you split up your dog’s meals, ensure that you follow the same times each day. This trains them to follow your routine. Dog’s will start feeling hungry once mealtime nears, and this will help ensure that dogs eat everything left.
Exercises
Your dog needs enough exercises to help them stay healthy. Since gaining weight starts with more food consumption, the extra food needs to accompany by some muscle growth.
Bony dogs are probe to have underdeveloped muscles, so you should get your dog to move so that become stronger. When you’ve increased his calorie and protein intakes, they will have all they need.
Additionally, besides for muscle growth, exercises will do wonders to pets overall demeanor. Unhappy dogs will not eat.
So offering the lots of opportunities to play and run around, as it’s a great way to avoid anxiety and stress. Avoid anxiety and stress. Enjoy by creating a loving surrounding that they’ll enjoy.
Maintaining Results
After your pet has attained their planned weight, it’s crucial that you give them those tools they will need to maintain it. Here, you can reduce your dog’s caloric consumption to normal and begin developing a much normal routine.
You need to look for high-quality foods that are full of vitamins, protein, and minerals. Pair this food with frequent exercises and your dog will be on his way to leading a long and a healthy life.
Over to You
The process of fattening your dog should not be a difficult process. It involves being patient and vigilant. Your dog won’t get to the goal weight instantly, so it’s imperative that you continue doing so. This is until your pet dog is thriving and recovered fully. Here’s an article for you to give your dog a food. Can Dogs Eat Shrimp?