Skinny dog - Page 1

I am posting this behalf of a friend.

His dog is skinny. EPI had been ruled out. He does not like to eat much.

Any ideas how he can make him eat and bulk up, any ideas for flavoring the food.

By the dry complete food is a luxury here and sometimes hard to find.

sri,

What is he eating now?

How much? by wieght or volume?

Is the weather hot ?

Is he active?

Is he just lean or does his bones show thru his coat?

Does he eat the same food every day or is it always different?

There is much to consider.

Flavoring the food is not a cure and could even make him worst as far as being a picky eater if thats the problem.

Brent.

Its not a GSD but a rottweiler. He weighs 28kg or 61lbs and he is 14 months old. He should weigh 45kg or 99lbs now. His height is correct for the breed.

He eats a rice and chicken diet and eats an average amount compared to another rottweiler.

Its hot here. 32degrees on average and very humid.

He is active.

Lean and small made, bones dont show thru coat.

Diet is seasonal, he gets rice/ fish, rice/ beef, rice/ chicken. mainly rice and chicken. This diet is given to most dogs in the country with some supplements.

I personally feel that he is a picky and slow eater.

We both wish he could gain some weight.

I found this online book that lays out nutritional needs by breed http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/06.html it says for Rottweilers:

I have found that the ideal base diet for the Rottweiler would consist of a blend of lamb, poultry, dairy products, and wheat.  Foods for this breed to avoid would include fish, horse meat, beef, corn, soy, or white rice.

Not sure how helpful this will be but it might be the food he's being. It could be wrong for him and he's developed an allergy.  We feed a"prey model" raw diet, so no veggies or grain just meat, bone and organs.  If you're interested a good free online resource is  http://www.rawmeatybones.com/petowners.php  Maybe give the dog only lamb (or mutton which should be cheaper) for a time and see how he responds then add more variety as you see improvement. If your friend is so inclined buy a large cut like a shoulder roast with a bone in it so he can really gnaw on it and work up his saliva, which has enzymes that break down the food and will stimulate his digestion.

hth,

Susan

p.s. since this is a GSD list:)

The environment for the Alsatian Region of Germany provided this breed with primary food sources of beef, wheat, and leafy greens like cabbage and alfalfa. Thus, I recommend a blend of these food sources as the ideal base diet for the German Shepherd.  Conversely, I feel the worst food blend for the German Shepherd Dog would contain fish, soy, or rice

Sri,

In hot weather I feed at night when it's cooler, my dog's eat better if they think one of the other dog's is gonna get their food, competition is a useful tool, feed them where they can see another dog eating.  If I had to live on rice and fish, or rice and chicken only I would be skinny too.  Look into other grain's and feed red meat.  Add more fat to the diet.  Vegetable's are a good additive also.  Just don't make sudden change's, gradually adjust feed.  Plenty of fresh water.

Work first, rest, then feed.

Maybe this would work?

http://www.holisticdog.org/Nutrition/Satinballs/satinballs.html

I use to feed this to DaKota at night. Worked GREAT!

I would mix a lttle bit into her kibble as she was very picky.

Just wacth out for the amount you give, cause they definitly gain weight fast.

I also forgot add?
Instead of using lean beef? Maybe you can substitute with ground lamb?

TRY FEEDING IT.

I am not impressed with you mate.