6 yr and no weight gain - fatten him for winter to live outdoors?

[baxter+mike]

my shepard is going on 6 abd has been the same weight for the last 2 years 60-65 pounds he has always eaten 2-3 cups of dry pedigree vitality puls @18% proteen. he is very slender with nice strong defined front and hind and jaw muscles

any tips on weight gain to fill him out for th winter he needs to remain outside for the comming winter but our temps are to cold for him even in his heated dog house..

[MaggieRoseLee]

Not sure 6 yrs is a senior.

But I KNOW that if you think you have to fatten him up to live outdoors that's not a choice I would make.

Keeping a dog outdoors isn't necessary. Keeping a dog a healthy normal weight ALL YEAR is.

So don't worry about fattening him up, instead just make him an indoor pet like he should be anyways

[Jax08]

I don't know what your laws are in Canada, but in Pennsylvania if it is that cold out and your dog does not have proper shelter to stay warm then you will be fined. Exactly how cold does it get in Ontario? Animals will burn alot of calories staying warm, especially as they age. What is your set up in his heated dog house? Is there a reason you can't bring him inside when it's that cold out? Do you have a dog blanket for him to wear? Weatherbeeta makes some decent ones. Do you put hay in his house for him? How is it heated?

[Konotashi]

Why do you want to banish him to the outdoors after six years?

Also, I would suggest looking through the food threads on here, as Pedigree is

[Jax08]

Here is a thought...I don't try to put extra weight on my horse for the winter (and it does get to zero and below here in PA). I do blanket him and give him extra feed during the winter. Extra weight is hard on joints. I don't want extra weight on him because of arthritis but I do want him to maintain his weight.

Your best choice is still to take him into the house when it's that cold outside that it's to cold even in a heated dog house. As far as food, I would look for something with a higher fat content. I feed RAW so have no input into a kibble to suggest for you.

[abakerrr]

I fed my lean shepherd satin balls to put weight on her when she was super skinny. It would certainly be worthwhile trying out for a few weeks in addition to his regular food, people swear by this stuff. Pedigree certainly isn't the best quality dog food out there and i'm sure people would be more than happy to point you in the right direction regarding good nutrition, but if your boy has done well and your happy with it, stick with what works.

Holistic Dog - Satinballs Satin Balls

[msvette2u]

Feed him a high quality diet. There's many choices out there, when you read the label avoid CORN, WHEAT, SOY and BY-PRODUCTS. If you have a PETCO go there and take the list of things to avoid with you. The sales people can help you choose a better food.
Even Diamond Products (although some on here would disagree) work well, such as Diamond Naturals, or Kirkland signature from Costco. Pedigree is mainly corn and by-products.

[baxter+mike]

Originally Posted by baxter+mike

my shepard is going on 6 abd has been the same weight for the last 2 years 60-65 pounds he has always eaten 2-3 cups of dry pedigree vitality puls @18% proteen. he is very slender with nice strong defined front and hind and jaw muscles

any tips on weight gain to fill him out for th winter he needs to remain outside for the comming winter but our temps are to cold for him even in his heated dog house..

(edit) i built his house on my own its 3 feet deep 2 feet wide and 1.5 ft tall flat roof all 3 inch walls insulated with straw and poly as a vapour barrior, as for heat its eletric mounted chicken coop heater on the side with a thermostat set to 15 deg c.

where i am in ontairo the temp can range from plus 10 to -25 at nights

[Stosh]

Can you bring him in at night? At least in the garage? There are heated kennel pads available that aren't too expensive. The satin balls will put on weight and might be something to keep him on throughout the winter

[doggiedad]

just because you have a shepard doesn't mean it
should live outside in the winter. you say the temps
are to cold for him and he has a heated dog house.
why do you want to keep your shepard outside when it's so cold??
i guess a shepard does better in the cold compared to a Shepherd.

Originally Posted by baxter+mike

my shepard is going on 6 abd has been the same weight for the last 2 years 60-65 pounds he has always eaten 2-3 cups of dry pedigree vitality puls @18% proteen. he is very slender with nice strong defined front and hind and jaw muscles

any tips on weight gain to fill him out for th winter he needs to remain outside for the comming winter but our temps are to cold for him even in his heated dog house..