What to feed a skinny dog???

[ChiLady]

Hi Group:
Got a question for the group. What would you say is a good dog food, and dog treats that you can give your dog? One that helps put weight on a skinny dog? He eats good dog food, he just needs something extra. What about salmon oil or something like that? Will it help him gain weight safely?

[Moo]

Skinny isn't necessarily bad..... I wouldn't try to put weight on a dog unless teh vet reccomended it. My dog is slightly underweight, so I adjust his meal sizes to fit, but if you can see the back two ribs on yoru dog (if he is a smooth coat, or a long coat sopping wet) then that is generally a good thing.

[BratBoxers]

If its a Chihuahua that you have thats under weight that isnt good..What food do you feed? I would recommend Innova EVO for a Chi.

[GreyhoundGirl]

I went to my vet about Jenny being underweight and yes, being underweight is much better then being overweight. If you really think your dog needs to put on some weight, change to a better food. If you're already on a good food, like I was, my vet reccomended not switching to high-cal, just to feed more of it.

Again, different circumstances, different type of dogs.

[ChiLady]

It’s my brothers Cackapoo and though his ribs are at the stage of you can feel them, but you can’t see them. Which I have been told by my vet to be a healthy weight. His back bone, and his hips stick out and look real bad. Could it be just the way the dog is made? He is eating California Natural, which I think is a real good brand of dog food.
As for a Chi, I have one, and that little guy likes to eat more than anything. So I have to be so very careful with him. But when I looked into Evo, I was really concerned with the high protein count and it being too much for a chi. Though it could also have been Invo, which I have looked into also. My mind isn’t what it use to be. LOL

[HISPACE]

one of my yorkies from the past always seemed to thin to me ... but when i asked the vet to check him out they said he was perfect... so as long as he has a good coat bright eyes ect thats how that dog is... like some people are slimmer than others if you see what i mean!
Unless the dog seems lethargic & off colour i would agree with Moo!

[Moo]

Originally Posted by ChiLady

It’s my brothers Cackapoo and though his ribs are at the stage of you can feel them, but you can’t see them.

In my opinion that is overweight. You should be able to see at least the back ribs on most dogs. I would NOT switch off of California Natural! I would feed more if you really think the dog is underweight. Adjust slowly, but if the dog acts normal- no biggie!

My dog is 15 lbs and very hairy, but if he's wet down, you can see his back two ribs. He eats just over 1/3 cup of food per day.

[ChiLady]

His skin looks very healthy, and his eyes are bright and shiny. Over all his response to you is good, and is a very active puppy. It’s just that he looks so skinny with his back bone and hips sticking up. My brother is going to be brining him in for his yearly shots, and will make certain there isn’t anything else it could be. But I wanted to see if we should take him in sooner than he is already scheduled. Thanks for all your help, he seems to me to be a healthy boy then. God bless and Merry Christmas…

[BratBoxers]

If its a great protein source there should never be an issue. Cali Natural is made by the same company and its a great food just feed more since you see the backbone and hip points.