Leena Watts
If your dog is underweight, you may be concerned about how to help it put on weight. The first step is to consult a veterinarian to rule out any health issues that may be causing the weight loss. Once you have determined that your dog is healthy, you can start taking steps to bulk up its diet. This may include switching to a high-energy dog food with more calories, adding vitamin supplements, or feeding your dog vet-approved homemade recipes. It is important to make dietary changes gradually and to ensure your dog is getting enough exercise to build muscle mass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Consult a veterinarian | Before making any changes to your dog's diet, consult a veterinarian to ensure your dog is healthy and get advice on an appropriate diet. |
| Diet type | Provide your dog with a balanced, healthy, and AAFCO-compliant diet. |
| Calories | Increase the number of calories in your dog's diet by adding human foods such as peanut butter, pumpkin, or eggs. |
| Protein | Ensure your dog's diet is high in protein to promote muscle growth. |
| Fat | Include healthy fats in your dog's diet, but increase the amount gradually to avoid digestive issues. |
| Vitamins | Add vitamin-rich foods, such as vitamin B12 or vitamin B, to enhance your dog's appetite and metabolism. |
| Meal frequency | Feed your dog little and often to increase food intake throughout the day. |
| Meal portion | Gradually increase the portion size of meals to prevent digestive issues. |
| Meal topper | Use meal toppers, such as kangaroo meat or chicken liver, to add extra protein and calories. |
| Treats | Offer treats like dried chicken, salmon, beef, or vegetables and fruits as a way to increase calorie intake. |
| Exercise | Ensure your dog gets regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and build muscle. |
| Supplements | Provide vitamin and joint supplements to support your dog's overall health and muscle growth. |
| Weighted vests | Consult a veterinarian or trainer about using a weighted vest to improve muscle tone and overall health. |
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What You'll Learn
High-calorie dog food
If you are concerned that your dog is underweight, it is important to first consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the weight loss. If your dog is healthy, there are several ways to help them gain weight through their diet.
Firstly, it is important to provide your dog with a high-quality, calorie-dense diet that meets AAFCO standards. This means that the food is packed with energy (calories) in a small amount of food, so your dog does not have to eat a large volume to take in a lot of calories. Dry food is usually more calorie-dense than wet food, but you can mix a small amount of wet food with dry food to make it more palatable.
You can also increase your dog's calorie intake by feeding them small, frequent meals throughout the day. This can help to increase their overall calorie intake, as dogs will typically eat more under these conditions. You can also add some high-calorie human foods to your dog's diet, such as:
- Eggs
- Pumpkin
- Peanut butter
- Cheese
- Salmon
- Tuna
However, it is important to be cautious when adding new foods to your dog's diet, as some human foods can be unsafe for dogs. Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid digestive issues, and consult your veterinarian before making significant changes to your dog's diet.
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Human food additions
Some good human food additions to help bulk up your dog include:
- Eggs: Raw, scrambled, or over easy. Just make sure they are plain.
- Cottage cheese: Full fat.
- Lean meat: Raw or cooked to match their diet.
- Peanut butter: A tasty treat that dogs love, but be sure to give them the natural kind without artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
- Pumpkin: This can be added to their kibble or raw food.
- Sweet potatoes: These can also be added to bulk up a dog's meal.
- Cooked beef or chicken liver: These are rich in vitamin B12, which will increase your dog's appetite and aid in energy metabolism.
In addition to human food additions, you can also try:
- High-calorie dog food: Look for a brand that provides more calories through good carbs and no unhealthy additives.
- Supplements: Adding supplements that contain amino acids, enzymes, and probiotics can help fill in any gaps in your dog's nutrition plan and support muscle growth.
- Frequent meals: Feeding smaller, more frequent meals can help increase nutrient absorption and keep your dog fuller for longer.
- Exercise: Just like humans, dogs need exercise to build muscle. Try adding some low-intensity exercises like lead walks to stimulate muscle development.
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Raw food diet
A raw food diet for dogs can offer a variety of health benefits, from shinier coats to stronger teeth and higher energy levels. It can also help with weight management, especially for breeds prone to putting on weight.
The foundation of a dog's raw diet is protein and fat. This means a diet that's about 10% to 20% fat, including any fats like fish oil that you add to your dog's raw diet. The remaining foundation of your dog's raw meals will be protein. It's important to keep the fat within this range when feeding a raw diet to dogs. Fat contains a lot of calories, and if your dog's diet contains more than 20% fat, it will cannibalize the vitamins and minerals in the food.
To bulk up your dog's diet, you can increase the fat portion of its raw diet in incremental amounts. This will help your dog's digestive system to adjust to the increase in volume without any unpleasant reactions. It's also important to increase your dog's calorie intake, but make sure these are high-quality calories that will contribute to muscle development.
You can also add meal toppers to your dog's current diet to help bulk it up. For example, you could add a portion of raw lean meat, which is good for muscle development. Quinoa is another good option, as it contains a full spectrum of essential amino acids that dogs need to build muscle. Eggs, full-fat cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables are also good additions to your dog's diet.
Before you begin to bulk up your dog's diet, it's important to make sure your dog is actually underweight. Look at a canine body condition scoring chart to assess this.
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Weighted vests
When using a weighted vest, it is important to ensure that it is properly sized and fitted for your dog. Consult a size chart to purchase the right size, and follow the guidelines for a proper fit. The vest should not be bulky or uncomfortable, as this will inhibit your dog's movement. Start with a small amount of weight and gradually increase it as your dog gets accustomed to the vest.
The weight of the vest should not exceed 10-20% of your dog's weight. For untrained dogs, lower weights of 7-11% of their body weight can increase speed and power output. It is also important to ensure your dog is mature enough to wear a weighted vest, as putting one on a puppy can damage their joints. Always consult your veterinarian or a canine trainer to determine if a weighted vest is suitable for your dog and to rule out any health issues that could affect their training.
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Vitamin supplements
Dogs require a variety of vitamins to sustain life, including B vitamins (biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12), vitamin A, and vitamin C. These vitamins are typically found in food. However, vitamin supplements may be necessary for dogs fed a homemade diet to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.
When considering vitamin supplements for your dog, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian. They can advise on the specific vitamins and supplements your dog may need, depending on their diet and health condition. Human vitamins should be avoided as they may contain different concentrations of vitamins and additives that could be harmful to dogs. Instead, opt for veterinary vitamin supplements or those specifically formulated for dogs, always checking the label to ensure they contain the required vitamins.
It is important to note that vitamin supplements should be used cautiously. While vitamins are essential, excessive amounts can be harmful. For instance, too much vitamin A can lead to dehydration, joint pain, and blood vessel damage. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the recommended dosage and work closely with your veterinarian to ensure your dog receives the appropriate vitamins and supplements tailored to their individual needs.
If you are concerned about your dog's weight, a veterinarian can provide guidance on creating a healthy weight gain diet. A gradual weight gain process is recommended, focusing on both nutritional value and taste to help your dog gain weight. Increasing the amount of food your dog consumes and switching to a high-quality, balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards can also aid in healthy weight gain. Additionally, incorporating treats, portions of meat, or a puppy diet for a short period can be effective ways to add extra calories to support weight gain.
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Frequently asked questions
If you think your dog is underweight, it's best to schedule a check-up with your vet to rule out any health issues that may be causing their weight loss. If your dog gets a clean bill of health, your vet can recommend a high-calorie dog food to help them gain weight. You can also add small amounts of calorie-dense human food to their kibble or raw food, such as peanut butter, pumpkin, or eggs.
If your dog is maintaining a healthy weight, they are likely getting enough calories. You can use a body condition score chart to assess your dog's body condition and track their progress over time. It's important to remember that the number of calories your dog needs will depend on their size, breed, age, and activity level.
In addition to increasing their calorie intake, you can try feeding your dog smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. You can also add flavour to their food with broths or gravies to encourage them to eat more. Using treats or meat as rewards for good behaviour is another way to add extra calories to their diet. Finally, make sure your dog is getting regular exercise to build muscle mass.
