High Drive female cant keep weight on her... - Page 2

I also have a 3 year old female like this.  She is extreme high drive, always with a good attitude and is healthy in all respects but can be very difficult to keep weight up.  I feed a diet of approx. half raw and half kibble.  When I feed raw I give her about 2-3 lbs. of raw meat in a meal.  I really heap it up in her bowl.  I have a special blend made for dog sledders that I obtain from a processing plant a few hours from me.  The meat comes in 10 lb. frozen chubs.  The raw in great quantities does help keep more weight on her.  Her stool is much less, which of course means she is utilizing it better.  I have fed many different kinds of kibble, but nothing is really the solution.  I personally believe there is no substitute for raw.  I don't feed it full time only because it would be difficult, as I have a number of dogs.  Don't watch so much what goes in, as what comes out the other end!  This is the sign that shows how the dog is utilizing the food.  Good luck.
Dennis

My three year old male was very difficult to put weight on for a long time. I switched him to raw and have seen a big difference in his weight. It could be that he's just finally filling out, but I have seen a huge improvement in his skin, coat and even his teeth as well.  So either way it has helped him.... Some people (some vets included) are against raw diets, so it's really up to you to do your research there... Also crating her at least for a few hours after each meal (maybe try feeding her 2 or 3 small meals per day) should start putting some weight on her...
Good Luck with her...
I don't know your experience with dogs so this question is not meant to offend, but are you sure she is really that skinny?
maybe you have some pictures you can post?
Stacy

Arkat Nutrition Dog Food
Enhance Hunters Edge
Protein: 24%
Fat: 18%
kcal/cup: 570

Fromm Family Dog Food
Chicken A'La Veg
Protein: 24%
Fat: 15%
kcal/cup: 370
Suggested per 75lbs: 4 cups daily

Von Pflegen,
I too have a high drive Czech male that has a hard time keeping weight on. I feed Fromm and to keep him up to 80 lbs. I feed 6 cups per day 150% of recommended. I also have a 50lbs. one year old female that is around 5 cups. 6 cups is do-able over 2 feedings but looking at your kcal versus mine, the amounts don't add up, so this might be a red flag that you need to watch. To add extra calories which should add extra energy available maybe try some lard mixed in. I know a lot of people and me included would tell you to watch any of the foods that use Corn, Wheat, and Brewers rice. Crating my male several hours per day also helps him keep weight on, if he is in a kennel he runs it non-stop and always loses weight. Try and find that happy medium that works for you and your dog. Good luck.

Hi,
    Just a repeat of a question you didn,t appear to answer, has she been tested for EPI  (exocrine pancreatic insuffiency)?.
  I,m only asking because I have a working line male who developed epi, and had the same problem as your bitch (impossible to keep weight on) . The only other clues to his condition were, his stools were very soft and yellow or grey in colour. He also wanted to eat dirt.  After diagnosis and treatment he,s fine, and still does sch training every week.
  Hope this helps.
                               Regards,
                              Weeman.

PS,  There is plenty information on the web regarding EPI.

 After all the medical has been put to rest I,d start by confining her abality to run freely. She needs to learn to switch it off. Now is a good time for her to start to understand down time. Day cage ect...

 Just a suggestion but I do have an EPI girl (not saying yours is), but sometimes I have a hard time keeping weight on her and in addition to her regular enzymes I add a supplement enzymes called PROZYME, it is a plant based enzyme and helps aide in the digestion of food and helps a dog get the most out of their food.  Whenever she has had a problem keeping weight on I add this and she gains the weight back quickly. I have used this and it works and it is not expensive.  I buy through KVVET, but alot on places have it online.  Worth a try.

Lyn