Skinny Great Dane

[Poki'is mom]

My husband and I adopted a Merle Great Dane from our local animal control. Her name is Nala and she is just the sweetest thing. Thats the good news... Now the bad news, she is 50 to 60 pounds under weight.


We got a crash course at the vet about bloat and belly twist. Does anyone have any advise about safely putting weight on her.

Now the rest of her story, Nala started out as a pet quality Great Dane and I'm sure the first people who had her had the best of intentions but then as I have said before some people are just dumb ... They had no clue how much a Great Dane eats ...Hummm Great Dane where is the first clue....anyway they sent her to the pound. One of the employees at te pound thought he wanted her but she could jump a 7 foot fence and really didn't like to be left in the back yard alone all the time ... Makes ya wonder don't it.... So he gives her to his niece who also didn't know how much a Great Dane eats ....see above... thick as a brick ... so now here we are with a Great Dane that is 50 to 60 pounds under weight.. My first question when I got a good look at her was "Did ya feed her?"

[GSDNewbie]

there is an in detail great dane bloat story and info on here if you do a search for it.

[Dauxside]

You might want to consider a high quality food specifically for working dogs, it will have more protein & fat ... she'll of course need her regular walkies so no worries there.

If you can I really suggest going for a raw diet - it's healthier IMHO, because it's more closely related to what a dog should eat. There's less stool to pick up (and you'll have *big* ones LOL) so that's nice and helps a sick dog recover quickly. If you aren't comfortable with raw then please do check the high end foods that say specifically for working/active dogs.

I don't do kibble so I can't really send you to a good one.

[FairyDogMother]

I recommend several small meals a day. Do not feed large quantities at a time. Good luck with her and keep us posted on her progress and also, photos would be great!!!!!

[Poki'is mom]

Thanks Guys

I'll post pictures as soon as I get them taken

[Tankstar]

I agree with a few small meals a day as well. You really dont want to over endulge her and have her bloat.

[sandvand]

Welcome! We fostered a skinny great dane a while back and someone posted about satin balls, its a great recipe to put weight on. Search and you will find.

[Bclover92]

Yeah, I was gonna say satin balls are great along with a few smaller meals a day.
heres a thread with a recipe for them...
http://www.prodoggroomingsupplies.co...ht=Satin+Balls

[Poki'is mom]

Thanks for the satin balls recipe ... the hubby does wonder about the raw hamburger though

[Bclover92]

Raw is fine for dogs it is way better than cooked acctually. just think thats all wild dogs eat. Dogs have the same digestion system and everything.