Seeing ribs or bony hips on your beloved dog can be upsetting. If your pup is underweight, you likely want to help them gain some pounds quickly and safely. Don’t worry – with some dietary changes supplements vet care, and TLC, you can get your dog’s weight up to a healthy level.
Why Your Dog Might be Underweight
There are several potential reasons your dog may be underweight
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Illness – Various diseases like cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, digestive issues, and parasites can lead to weight loss. If your dog seems ill, take them to the vet.
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Picky eating – Some dogs are just fussy or finicky eaters. This can result in them not getting enough calories.
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High metabolism – Particularly active, high-energy dogs burn calories faster and may need more food.
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Stress – Changes in home or routine can stress dogs out and suppress appetite.
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Dental issues – Painful teeth or gums might make eating uncomfortable.
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Competition for food – If you have multiple dogs, one may not be getting their fair share at mealtimes.
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Insufficient portions – Your dog may just need more kibble or wet food per day.
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Boredom – Eating the same old food every day may lead to disinterest.
If there’s no obvious cause for your dog’s low weight, it’s important to get them checked out by a vet. Unexplained weight loss can signal serious health problems.
How to Put Weight on a Dog
Once your vet gives your underweight dog a clean bill of health, you can start taking steps to beef them up. Here are some effective tips:
1. Switch to High-Calorie Dog Food
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Look for dog foods labeled for “high energy” dogs or puppies. These have 30-40% more calories than regular adult dog foods.
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Introduce the new food gradually over 4-5 days to avoid GI upset.
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Wet foods often have more protein and fat than dry kibble. Add some wet food or meaty human foods to increase calories.
2. Feed Smaller Meals More Frequently
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Instead of two big meals, do three or four smaller meals per day.
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Breaking up their food into more frequent snacks can stimulate appetite.
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Stop free feeding and monitor that your dog finishes each meal.
3. Add Nutrient-Dense Mix-Ins
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Stir in cooked meats, eggs, cheese, yogurt or olive oil into your dog’s regular meals.
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High-calorie options include peanut butter, pumpkin puree, sweet potatoes, fish oil, or coconut oil.
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Liver is rich in vitamin B12 to spur appetite. Limit to a few small servings per week.
4. Use Appetite Stimulating Supplements
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Probiotics can aid digestion. Fortiflora and other brands make dog-specific probiotic powders.
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Ask your vet about prescription Mirtazapine medication to temporarily increase appetite.
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Vitamin B complex injections from the vet can also stimulate hungry dogs to eat more.
5. Make Mealtimes Stress-Free
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Feed your dog separately from other pets to prevent competition.
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Keep mealtime routines consistent and minimise disruptions.
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Hand feed your dog morsels to motivate them to eat. Offer praise and cuddles during eating.
6. Check for Underlying Health Issues
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Rule out dental disease, parasites, infections, organ dysfunction, and medications impacting appetite or absorption.
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Conditions like hypothyroidism, cancer, and gastrointestinal disease can lead to weight loss.
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Diagnostics like blood work, imaging, and lab tests can uncover hidden illness in dogs.
7. Exercise Cautiously
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Don’t overdo walks, playtime or training with an underweight dog. Start slow.
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Build up their exercise levels gradually as their weight improves to avoid burning too many extra calories.
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Swimming and moderate leash walks are ideal low-impact activities for thin pups.
With vet guidance, patience, and a high protein diet, you can successfully fatten up your skinny dog. Monitor their weight weekly and adjust food as needed. Once your dog reaches a healthy weight, maintain it through proper portion sizes and nutrition. Consistency is key – your efforts will pay off as your dog becomes stronger and more energetic at a fit, robust weight.
Should I Fatten Up a Dog with Human Food?
Not necessarily. As your vet will likely recommend, you should stick to your dog’s primary AAFCO-compliant dog food. Adding a few ‘human foods’, such as peanut butter or pumpkin, to their kibble or raw food can help them gain weight. But your dog’s primary diet should always be their dog food. Otherwise, you risk accidentally creating a nutritional deficiency. (Read more below).
Should I Cut Back on My Dog’s Exercise?
No. Even though you are trying to put a little more fat on their frame, make sure that they still get plenty of regular exercise. It will help keep their system healthy and working properly.
Dogs that get little exercise might be underweight. If that is the case, you will want to build up their muscles. Feed them a healthy diet with a complete complement of amino acids to help build up muscle mass. Make sure that they exercise daily. Twice a day is ideal! Feed them food that is high in protein as well as fat. If they have joint pain, give them supplements that can help to reduce it. And remember, when it’s hot outside, give your dog plenty of water and time to recover between exercise sessions [2].
How to Fatten a Dog Up Quickly : Dog Training & Basic Obedience
FAQ
How can I beef my dog up?
Treats and snacks: Healthy, high-calorie treats and snacks, such as lean meats, boiled eggs, or small amounts of peanut butter, can help your dog gain weight.Apr 24, 2023
What will fatten my dog up?
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Petzyohttps://petzyo.com.auHow to Fatten Up a Dog: 7 Easy Tips to Get Your Dog Eating ASAPFatten Up Your Dog with Human Food There are some healthy human foods that you can give to your furry friend. Try adding some of these to their regular food for…
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Horse & Houndhttps://www.horseandhound.co.ukHow to fatten up a dog: simple steps to help your pup gain weightAug 22, 2023 — Fat contains more calories per gram than protein or carbohydrates, so it’s a good way to increase the calorie count. You can add fat, such as salmon…
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Service Dog Training School Internationalhttps://www.servicedogtrainingschool.orgHow to Fatten Up a Dog – Service Dog Training School InternationalNov 18, 2021 — You can add food that contains more proteins to the meat proteins in your dog’s food or change your canine’s food entirely. … If the reason for yo…
How do I get my dog to put on weight?
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Petzyohttps://petzyo.com.auHow to Fatten Up a Dog: 7 Easy Tips to Get Your Dog Eating ASAPFatten Up Your Dog with Human Food There are some healthy human foods that you can give to your furry friend. Try adding some of these to their regular food for…
How to bulk up a pitbull?
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High-Protein:Prioritize lean protein sources like chicken, turkey, lean beef, and pork. Protein helps repair muscle tissue damaged during exercise and supports muscle growth.
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Balanced Diet:Include carbohydrates (rice, sweet potatoes) and healthy fats (fish oil, flaxseed oil) to support overall health and energy levels.
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Consider Supplements:If you need to add protein or other nutrients, consider supplements like protein powder or multivitamins designed for dogs.
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Transition Slowly:If switching foods, do it gradually to avoid digestive upset, according to a user on Reddit.
How to cook beef for dogs?
The great thing about grilling beef for dogs is that it also creates some “bark,” which your dog will love. This method is one of the best ways to cook beef for dogs. It’s quick and simple and ensures the meat comes out extra juicy. You should try this method by cutting your beef into cubes or strips (about an inch thick).
How to fatten up a dog?
When researching how to fatten up your dog, you may have come across something called satin balls. This is a specific type of meatball that is high in fat and calories, designed to fatten a dog up. These meatballs can contain ingredients including oats, molasses, wheat germ, coconut oil, egg and ground beef.
How do you get a dog to eat more food?
Gradually increase how much food your dog eats at each meal. Feed your dog high-energy dog food, which contains more calories. Give your dog foods rich in vitamin B12, like cooked beef or chicken liver. Switch between feeding your dog dry and wet food so they don’t get bored. Figure out if there is a logical reason your dog is underweight.
How do I get my Dog to gain weight?
Here a few tips for getting your dog to gain weight: If your dog is underweight due to stress from recent life, family, or diet changes, do your best to alleviate this stress. In some cases, you must simply give your dog time to adjust to a new home or family member.
Can homemade treats help a dog gain weight?
There are some recipes for homemade high-calorie treats to help dogs gain weight, such as Satin Balls, but check with your vet before incorporating these into your dog’s diet. Sometimes simply switching dog foods for a brand or flavor that your dog prefers more is enough to get her to consume more calories and gain weight.
How can a dog get back to a healthy weight?
Work with a dog trainer to help your dog get more comfortable with eating meals. Whatever the cause of stress, dealing with the source is the healthiest and surest way to help your dog get back to his ideal weight. Some dogs simply need a high-calorie diet in order to get back up to a healthy weight.