Weigh In

[Moo]

I decided that Kirby needed to put on some weight. He has been dropping some weight, and feeling bony, which I don't mind. But a lot of people who already knew Kirby have asked me lately if he has been losing weight, and I said yes, but it was getting quite noticeable when they touched him. Other people who didn't already know him, were surprised when they would pet him and be able to feel all his bones under his hair. He's a well-muscled dog, but all his ribs are palpable, and visible if he had no hair.

His last vet weigh in put him at 13.5 lbs, which is basically the top weight standard for a Coton de Tulear. I decided to use the FCI standard as a measuring stick, since it lists both heights and weights; and I really have nothing else to compare him to. So according to the standard, a male Coton de Tulear should be 26 to 28 cm in height (with allowance on top and bottom), and is allowed to weigh between 4 and 6 kgs.

Kirby is 33 cm in height, and was about 6 kgs.

Judging by the proportions, the 7 kg that he was at about a year and a half ago would be perfectly acceptable for him.

I have NO idea how he can be underweight when he lives with my dad and grandmother who feed the dogs like there's no tomorrow. Anyways, I upped his meals to 1/2 cup per day.

I have been using the Wii Fit to weigh Kirby. It has proven very accurate. This week Kirby is weighing 14.1 lbs. But really I need to weigh him more frequently, because I don't know how much of that is his natural flactuation (and hair grown since last weigh in).