What is too thin? - Page 4

I'm confused. Are you feeding Purina One or Pro Plan? Two different foods, although both made by Purina. Either way, I'd swich her to a much better quality food if there are no medical issues such as EPI. If you have not had her tested for EPI, that should be one thing to consider. Might account for food aggressiveness as dogs with EPI are basically starving since they cannot absorb the food they are eating. With or without EPI, adding digestive enzymes is also something to consider. 

Purina foods all use way to many 'fillers' and often contain those nasty 'by-products', which can contain anything such as left over parts of an animal not normally used for food.

I once had a rescue I took in that was dropped off with Pro Plan. He was eating six cups of food a day and thin. After mecical problems were ruled out, I slowly switched him to Evo. He started putting on weight with just 2-2 1/2 cups of Evo a day and was much healthier looking than when he showed up. There was also so much less waste to pick up as he was finally using what was in the food as opposed to it just going right through him.

Animules already provided an excellent link for food reviews. I second the motion to stick with the 6 and 5 star foods. Evo, Orijen, and Instinct are all excellent choices.  Most of your Purina selections are listed in the 1 star foods section, including both Purina One and Pro Plan.

Another good source of dog food information:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/

orijen would be fine

i've had alot of people saying spunky is too thin. not so much lately. i cut back on her walking and she has put a little bit of weight on. i think if all the ribs are sticking out, that is too skinny. everybody that could feel her ribs said that was too skinny even though they couldn't see them. my late boy nenz was skinny until i got spunky and quit walking him alot. then he put on 9 pounds in a year. i've been giving my girl some bread and butter now and then (once or twice a week) as a treat and i think that has helped her some too.

Cutting back on exercise or feeding unhealthy table scraps are not ways to properly add weight to a dog. There are healthier and safer ways to do so.

Hello all,

Thanks for all the replys. I changed her diet like my trainer said and actually cut back on her food. I have started her on a raw diet and it seems to be working just find. I added the yogurt (1Tsp), salmon oil (1Tsp) and 8 ounces of chicken gizzards/hearts.... Right now I have less stool. She is still thin but she seems different . I can not explain it but her body is responding well. I felt the ribs like you all suggested and it looks like all the female dogs at the local police station. I guess I did not know what too thin was and what was acceptable. I do exercise with my dogs. I have 3 GSDs. I run everyday except SAT/SUN. Each day I run with a dog about 2-3 miles. Our run are around Blood land on post at Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri. They love the trails, hills, lake, fresh air and all the wooded surroundings. They see alot of animals too. It keeps them alert. Sometime instead of running we walk/hike through and explore things. All three GSDs are on the lean side but my concern was my female. I will keep everyone posted on the raw diet. Email me at diangelo.jackson@us.army.mil if you have more specifics on what I should do if you.

DiAngelo