Is my dog too skinny or too fat? When we think of diet, we often think of a process intended to lose weight, but some dogs may also need to gain weight.
To do this, you must first of all understand why your dog is not at the ideal weight. Then, you must understand the appropriate process to make him gain weight, while keeping him in healthy condition.
Indeed, gaining weight does not mean getting fat, and it will be just as bad for your dog to become too fat or to eat an unbalanced diet.
Is my dog too skinny? Really?
Before trying to put on weight your dog, be absolutely certain that he does need it.
A common mistake of dog owners is indeed to think the weight of their canine friend is under the appropriate level, even though it’s actually at an healthy point.
This is because many animals today are overweight because they suffer as much as humans from the poor quality of low-end, too fatty and too sweet, processed foods.
As a guide, a healthy dog should not have visible ribs, but these should be easily palpable when the owner runs his fingers over the animal’s sides without pressing.
If your dog is looking really skinny to you, it is important to understand why he is not at a healthy weight and whether weight gain can be achieved through simple diet or if medical treatment is required.
To do this, take a good look at your pooch and any symptoms associated with his skinny shape. Does he have stomach problems? Is he tired, downcast or withdrawn? Has he changed his behavior recently?
Health Issues
Your dog can lose weight due to various health issues and bacterial diseases. For example, he may be infested with intestinal worms which absorb nutrients.
It may also be that he is the dominated if you have several animals in the house and others are stealing his ration.
Some dogs are also picky and refuse food they don’t like or develop anorexia from anxiety or pain from illness or trauma.
The age and breed of your dog should also be taken into account. It is normal for an older dog to lose weight and a skinny doggie, such as Greyhounds, to have visible ribs.
A dog who is suddenly more physically active can also lose weight if his diet is not adapted to his new lifestyle and nutritional needs.
Consult before reacting too quickly!
In all cases, a visit to the veterinary is necessary to rule out any pathological cause and determine what diet to put in place so that your doggie gets back on its feet.
It is also essential to be alarmed if your dog has lost weight suddenly, quickly and for no apparent reason (change of diet, convalescence, more sporty lifestyle, etc.).
Whether your dog needs to gain weight or not, it is also essential that he receives all the nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of his body to prevent it from deteriorating.
What is the right diet to increase my dog’s weight?
If your dog’s appetite is low, it will certainly not be helpful to increase his rations, as he may not feel like or be able to eat larger amounts.
The first thing to do is to make sure that your dog is getting a premium diet, made with high quality ingredients and perfectly meeting his nutritional needs.
A raw meat diet or household food are not recommended for dogs whose weight is neither ideal nor stable, because the skinny shape of the animal can come from a poorly adapted diet despite all the good intentions of the owner.
It is indeed extremely difficult to properly balance the ingredients to obtain the right amount of fiber, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acids and minerals, all necessary for the good health of your dog.
While you might like to know what to put in your dog’s bowl, I highly recommend that you select premium quality, veterinary approved processed food until your dog regains the correct and perfectly stable weight.
To encourage an anorexic dog to eat, you can purchase food specifically designed for picky dogs that are very attractive to your dog’s smell and taste buds.
In case your dog’s weight is critical, you can turn to high-calorie medicated dog food, designed to provide your dog with concentrated energy in concentrated amounts.
If your doggie loses weight because of age you should turn to kibble for seniors. If it is due to intense physical activity, choose food especially formulated for athletic dogs.
Is my dog too skinny? A healthy dog never lets himself starve
If your dog refuses to eat despite all your efforts, it is very important to consult a veterinarian.
Going on a weight plan of your own is only recommended if you know the cause of your dog’s weight loss and if it is not pathological.
This is the case with aging dogs, those who do a lot of sports and those who turn down food they don’t like.
Also, do not give anything and everything to a dog that is too thin, because an untargeted diet is will likely not meet his needs and may cause him serious stomach and gastric disorders.
Finally, when your dog needs to put on weight, you should not reduce or eliminate daily physical activity, as long as he is not sick or on rehabilitation of some sort, because he must transform the absorbed nutrients into muscle as opposed to fat, to stay in healthy shape.
You dog should gain weight in a healthy manner!