struggling to get my dog's weight up, need suggestions

dakotasmommy · 01-10-2012, 01:44 AM

I got my dog from a friend who did not have the time or knowledge for a German shepherd, unfortunately the dog suffered severe anxiety from the transition and she had a bad case of fleas and tapeworm. After getting those under control she lost a lot of hair and a lot of weight, she's been so thin that her bones are easily felt and her hips are visible. She needs to gain about 10 lbs but nothing we try has worked. She also has severe food allergies, one being gluten. She's currently on royal canine hypoallergenic white fish and potato dog food with missing link nutritional supplement. The vet told us she should only get 3 cups of food a day but she is so crazy with hunger and not gaining any weight. I've increased her to 3 bowls of food a day, still no weight gain. All her tests have come back fine, no more infections or parasites. Other than being thin she's healthy and full of energy. I'm worried that if I leave a bowl of food out for her all day that she'll just gobble it up at once and then get sick. I'm also not sure what I can add bc her stomach is so sensitive. Also her coat has not fully come back, its still very thin in the areas she lost hair. I would really appreciate any suggestions, the vet just suggests spending more money for other foods and I'm already spending a lot a month for her food, I honestly can't shell out more. I would start making food for her but I'm not sure what to make. I've had shepherds all my life but never one this high maintenance so this is all new to me.

Konotashi · 01-10-2012, 01:48 AM

I would try possibly switching to a different food, if you can (and if it won't cause any negative reactions for your GSD).
I know Natural Balance makes a limited ingredient food. Royal canin is highly priced for mediocre quality. You can get a much better food for the same price.

Is gluten the only thing she's allergic to? Taste of the Wild is grain free (unsure about gluten, though), and good quality at a great price. The only problem I'd see with feeding that to her is that it's lower in calories.

Have you tried satin balls? Those are usually good at putting weight on dogs. Unfortunately I don't know the recipe for them, but hopefully someone that knows more about them will come along soon.

**JeanKBBMMMAAN** · 01-10-2012, 09:56 AM

How are her stools?

Overview - EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency take a look around that site for inf on EPI/SIBO-ARD.

dakotasmommy · 01-10-2012, 09:56 AM

Introducing a new food is touchy bc she's so sensitive to different things. Her food is very expensive and we want to try switching her to an all natural limited ingredient food but aren't sure what is good and what would be a waste of money. We have a list of about 20 ingredients common to average dog food that we have to stay away from. This morning I gave her a bigger bowl of food and she didn't eat it all at once so while we still have this food I'll try just making sure there's always food available for her.

GSDBESTK9 · 01-10-2012, 09:59 AM

Why not feed her 4 cups or even 5 if she needs it??? Why only 3???

We feed 4 cups to young active/working dogs per day.

qbchottu · 01-10-2012, 10:01 AM

Try Natural balance LID. Duck/Potato and Bison/Potato worked well for my allergic dog. To put on weight, I would try adding extras to her food like eggs, tripe, cottage cheese, and fish oil.
Taste of the Wild has a higher fat content so that would help keep weight on. Taste of the Wild Salmon formula works well for many allergic dogs.

dakotasmommy · 01-10-2012, 10:04 AM

Her stools are normal, only had diarrhea when she was dewormed and only vomits when she eats a strange food or part of a toy. The vet says don't worry bc it'll take time and says most of the weight loss is due to anxiety from the transition from one owner to us and then the constant drama for us with my high risk pregnancy. She seems happy, she's social, playful, affectionate, loves running around our yard or going for walks. Everything is normal except her size and thin hair.

fuzzybunny · 01-10-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSDBESTK9

Why not feed her 4 cups or even 5 if she needs it??? Why only 3???

We feed 4 cups to young active/working dogs per day.

I agree with this and if you're worried about too much food at one sitting you can feed her 3 times a day.

How old is she?

ChancetheGSD · 01-10-2012, 11:43 AM

Have you had her tested for hyperthyroisim? Hope you can figure something out, sounds like the poor baby has had a rough life!

Rott-n-GSDs · 01-10-2012, 11:53 AM

Missing Link contains a lot of potential allergens. I'd cut that out and just concentrate on finding a good food for her. Have you considered raw?

01-10-2012, 01:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
dakotasmommy New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: pine hill, nj Posts: 5	struggling to get my dog's weight up, need suggestions I got my dog from a friend who did not have the time or knowledge for a German shepherd, unfortunately the dog suffered severe anxiety from the transition and she had a bad case of fleas and tapeworm. After getting those under control she lost a lot of hair and a lot of weight, she's been so thin that her bones are easily felt and her hips are visible. She needs to gain about 10 lbs but nothing we try has worked. She also has severe food allergies, one being gluten. She's currently on royal canine hypoallergenic white fish and potato dog food with missing link nutritional supplement. The vet told us she should only get 3 cups of food a day but she is so crazy with hunger and not gaining any weight. I've increased her to 3 bowls of food a day, still no weight gain. All her tests have come back fine, no more infections or parasites. Other than being thin she's healthy and full of energy. I'm worried that if I leave a bowl of food out for her all day that she'll just gobble it up at once and then get sick. I'm also not sure what I can add bc her stomach is so sensitive. Also her coat has not fully come back, its still very thin in the areas she lost hair. I would really appreciate any suggestions, the vet just suggests spending more money for other foods and I'm already spending a lot a month for her food, I honestly can't shell out more. I would start making food for her but I'm not sure what to make. I've had shepherds all my life but never one this high maintenance so this is all new to me.

01-10-2012, 01:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	I would try possibly switching to a different food, if you can (and if it won't cause any negative reactions for your GSD). I know Natural Balance makes a limited ingredient food. Royal canin is highly priced for mediocre quality. You can get a much better food for the same price. Is gluten the only thing she's allergic to? Taste of the Wild is grain free (unsure about gluten, though), and good quality at a great price. The only problem I'd see with feeding that to her is that it's lower in calories. Have you tried satin balls? Those are usually good at putting weight on dogs. Unfortunately I don't know the recipe for them, but hopefully someone that knows more about them will come along soon. __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography

01-10-2012, 09:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
JeanKBBMMMAAN The Rescues Rule Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,697	How are her stools? Overview - EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency take a look around that site for inf on EPI/SIBO-ARD. __________________ Help IMOM help Pets www.imom.org You can help Anna help IMOM help people help pets help people win...

01-10-2012, 09:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
GSDBESTK9 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 28,438	Why not feed her 4 cups or even 5 if she needs it??? Why only 3??? We feed 4 cups to young active/working dogs per day. __________________ Carolina Johnson http://www.johnsonhaus.com http://www.carolinak9photography.com

01-10-2012, 10:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
qbchottu Master Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 890	Try Natural balance LID. Duck/Potato and Bison/Potato worked well for my allergic dog. To put on weight, I would try adding extras to her food like eggs, tripe, cottage cheese, and fish oil. Taste of the Wild has a higher fat content so that would help keep weight on. Taste of the Wild Salmon formula works well for many allergic dogs. __________________ Puddi 11/15/10 Rescue GSD/Golden Whiskey von Huerta Hof 12/20/10 WGSL GSD Wiva vom Drache Feld 2/3/11 WGSL GSD

01-10-2012, 09:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
dakotasmommy New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: pine hill, nj Posts: 5	Introducing a new food is touchy bc she's so sensitive to different things. Her food is very expensive and we want to try switching her to an all natural limited ingredient food but aren't sure what is good and what would be a waste of money. We have a list of about 20 ingredients common to average dog food that we have to stay away from. This morning I gave her a bigger bowl of food and she didn't eat it all at once so while we still have this food I'll try just making sure there's always food available for her.

01-10-2012, 10:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
dakotasmommy New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: pine hill, nj Posts: 5	Her stools are normal, only had diarrhea when she was dewormed and only vomits when she eats a strange food or part of a toy. The vet says don't worry bc it'll take time and says most of the weight loss is due to anxiety from the transition from one owner to us and then the constant drama for us with my high risk pregnancy. She seems happy, she's social, playful, affectionate, loves running around our yard or going for walks. Everything is normal except her size and thin hair.

01-10-2012, 11:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
ChancetheGSD Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,913	Have you had her tested for hyperthyroisim? Hope you can figure something out, sounds like the poor baby has had a rough life! __________________ Gretchen -7.5 week old GSD Zoey -14 year old Pekapom Chance -(GSD/Kelpie) 6/2007-6/23/2011

01-10-2012, 11:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rott-n-GSDs Master Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Range, WI Posts: 999	Missing Link contains a lot of potential allergens. I'd cut that out and just concentrate on finding a good food for her. Have you considered raw? __________________ Luna, GSD (11/22/08) Nova, GSD (07/01/07) Apollo, Rottweiler (06/28/08)

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