Gaining weight

tking · 11-23-2011, 02:36 PM

I have a 11 monthold female. She is very active and healthy. Her only problem is she is too thin. We have tried several different foods with her. Purina One, Healthwise and Nutri source. Like I said she is very active but looks too thin. I need some suggestions.

Emoore · 11-23-2011, 02:43 PM

How thin is she? Can you see her ribs when she's standing still? Hip bones or backbone or anything?

Like adolescent humans, adolescent dogs go through a skinny, lanky phase around 1 year old. My dog is going through it too. They'll fill out more when they hit maturity around 2 or 3 years old. If she's just kinda skinny and lanky I wouldn't worry about it. If she looks malnourished with visible ribs when she's not moving, visible hip or backbones, dull eyes or dull coat, then you might have a problem.

tking · 11-23-2011, 02:53 PM

Maybe it is just the lanky phase. You can feel her ribs, hips and backbone but her coat and eyes look good.

DanielleOttoMom · 11-23-2011, 03:26 PM

I'm having similar issue with my male right now. He is 21 months he is tall 31.5 inches at the sholder and about 85-90 lbs. But can see ribs..... I started comparing him to other GSD. So I started to freak out about him being to skinny. I have change his food to a higher protein kibble (feed am and pm). Now I'm also feeding some raw chicken backs as a snack in PM. He is very active. I too have freaked out over the skinny lanky phase. Even though I know he is getting enuff to eat. Emily has helped calm my nevers and has been a good support. LOL Thanks Emily! Also if you ever get too concerned talk to your vet.

Just wanted you know you are not alone.

Emoore · 11-23-2011, 03:47 PM

[QUOTE=DanielleOttoMom;2317319]I'm having similar issue with my male right now. He is 21 months he is tall 31.5 inches at the sholder and about 85-90 lbs. But can see ribs..... I started comparing him to other GSD. So I started to freak out about him being to skinny. I have change his food to a higher protein kibble (feed am and pm).

Hmmmm. . . didn't know you'd gone higher protein. High protein is what bodybuilders, fitness competitors, etc eat when they want to become very lean. Carbohydrate and dietary fat generally help gain a bit of weight. Grains/fat is what they feed to feedlot cattle to fatten them up. Grains/fat is the reason most people in America are overweight. If you're looking to add weight, you might actually increase calories in the form of carbohydrate and fat, assuming protein is adequate.

carmspack · 11-23-2011, 03:53 PM

if the dog has a good nutritional base for protein and energy requirements are high then add OIL / FAT . This is what sled dog racers do .
Chances are that the dog could stand a source of efa's anyway. The fat should be raw -- not pan drippings .

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

sable123 · 11-23-2011, 03:54 PM

[quote=Emoore;2317332]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielleOttoMom

I'm having similar issue with my male right now. He is 21 months he is tall 31.5 inches at the sholder and about 85-90 lbs. But can see ribs..... I started comparing him to other GSD. So I started to freak out about him being to skinny. I have change his food to a higher protein kibble (feed am and pm).

Hmmmm. . . didn't know you'd gone higher protein. High protein is what bodybuilders, fitness competitors, etc eat when they want to become very lean. Carbohydrate and dietary fat generally help gain a bit of weight. Grains/fat is what they feed to feedlot cattle to fatten them up. Grains/fat is the reason most people in America are overweight. If you're looking to add weight, you might actually increase calories in the form of carbohydrate and fat, assuming protein is adequate.

Yes stay around 30% protein and at least 20% fat. There are many foods with this percentage but many have to be ordered at your local store. Euk & Pro Plan are the only ones that are on the shelves at many stores. All the good ones are on Petfooddirect.com. For very keeping adults you can get 24/20's and even 26/20's but I don't think for most dogs you have to do that.

Nutrisource was mentioned and that company has two performance foods.

Emoore · 11-23-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sable123

Nutrisource was mentioned and that company has two performance foods.

Danielle has access to Precise and Victor; they both make a good 30/20 formula. The Precise 30/20 is $50 for 40lb at Canine Commissary but you have to order it. Victor 30/20 is $34 for 40lb and *should* be at any feed store that carries the line. I would not feed high protein grain free for a dog I was having a hard time keeping weight on. With my personal training clients who want to drop weight quickly for an event, I put them on higher protein grain free diets.

sable123 · 11-23-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emoore

Danielle has access to Precise and Victor; they both make a good 30/20 formula. The Precise 30/20 is $50 for 40lb at Canine Commissary but you have to order it. Victor 30/20 is $34 for 40lb and *should* be at any feed store that carries the line. I would not feed high protein grain free for a dog I was having a hard time keeping weight on. With my personal training clients who want to drop weight quickly for an event, I put them on higher protein grain free diets.

Oh well, I didn't think you knew Danielle that well...

The worst thing you can feed a thin dog is a high protein grain free.

Victor makes a 24/20 I think.

Emoore · 11-23-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sable123

Oh well, I didn't think you knew Danielle that well...

Oh yeah, we hang out.

11-23-2011, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
tking New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3	Gaining weight I have a 11 monthold female. She is very active and healthy. Her only problem is she is too thin. We have tried several different foods with her. Purina One, Healthwise and Nutri source. Like I said she is very active but looks too thin. I need some suggestions.

11-23-2011, 02:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	How thin is she? Can you see her ribs when she's standing still? Hip bones or backbone or anything? Like adolescent humans, adolescent dogs go through a skinny, lanky phase around 1 year old. My dog is going through it too. They'll fill out more when they hit maturity around 2 or 3 years old. If she's just kinda skinny and lanky I wouldn't worry about it. If she looks malnourished with visible ribs when she's not moving, visible hip or backbones, dull eyes or dull coat, then you might have a problem. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

11-23-2011, 03:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
DanielleOttoMom Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,952	I'm having similar issue with my male right now. He is 21 months he is tall 31.5 inches at the sholder and about 85-90 lbs. But can see ribs..... I started comparing him to other GSD. So I started to freak out about him being to skinny. I have change his food to a higher protein kibble (feed am and pm). Now I'm also feeding some raw chicken backs as a snack in PM. He is very active. I too have freaked out over the skinny lanky phase. Even though I know he is getting enuff to eat. Emily has helped calm my nevers and has been a good support. LOL Thanks Emily! Also if you ever get too concerned talk to your vet. Just wanted you know you are not alone. __________________ Otto Blk GSD 02/23/10 Circe Blk Sable GSD 06/22/08 My fur babies!! Last edited by DanielleOttoMom; 11-23-2011 at 03:28 PM.

11-23-2011, 03:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	[QUOTE=DanielleOttoMom;2317319]I'm having similar issue with my male right now. He is 21 months he is tall 31.5 inches at the sholder and about 85-90 lbs. But can see ribs..... I started comparing him to other GSD. So I started to freak out about him being to skinny. I have change his food to a higher protein kibble (feed am and pm). Hmmmm. . . didn't know you'd gone higher protein. High protein is what bodybuilders, fitness competitors, etc eat when they want to become very lean. Carbohydrate and dietary fat generally help gain a bit of weight. Grains/fat is what they feed to feedlot cattle to fatten them up. Grains/fat is the reason most people in America are overweight. If you're looking to add weight, you might actually increase calories in the form of carbohydrate and fat, assuming protein is adequate. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

11-23-2011, 02:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
tking New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3	Maybe it is just the lanky phase. You can feel her ribs, hips and backbone but her coat and eyes look good.

11-23-2011, 03:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
carmspack Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 3,325	if the dog has a good nutritional base for protein and energy requirements are high then add OIL / FAT . This is what sled dog racers do . Chances are that the dog could stand a source of efa's anyway. The fat should be raw -- not pan drippings . Carmen Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

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