How to Help Your Dog Gain Weight
There are a multitude of reasons that your dog may lose weight.
First and foremost, it’s important to elucidate the underlying cause of their weight loss as this will play a large role in fixing the problem.
First and foremost, it’s important to elucidate the underlying cause of their weight loss as this will play a large role in fixing the problem.
What is a Healthy Weight for My Dog?
The answer to this question is incredibly specific to your dog.
Depending on their age, size, and breed, every dog will have a different amount of weight that is considered “healthy” for them to be at.
Depending on their age, size, and breed, every dog will have a different amount of weight that is considered “healthy” for them to be at.
To get an exact number, consult with your veterinarian.
That being said, if you are concerned that your dog may be underweight, there are a few warning signs to look out for.
Most underweight dogs are most notably thin around their ribs. You should not be able to see your dog’s ribs but they should be easily felt.
Again, depending on your dog’s health and specific situation, this rule can vary, especially in certain breeds (such as sighthounds) and in very athletic dogs.
Is My Dog Underweight Because of an Illness?
Oftentimes, dogs start losing weight because they get sick. In young puppies, for example, intestinal parasites are extremely common.
A large tapeworm or hookworm load can prevent your puppy from getting the nutrition they need.
A large tapeworm or hookworm load can prevent your puppy from getting the nutrition they need.
In cases like this, it’s important that pet parents consult with their veterinarian on how to help their pup reach a healthy weight.
Some dogs may stop eating due to an illness or injury.
If this is the case, try to tempt them with multiple different diets and talk with your veterinarian about an appetite stimulant.
If this is the case, try to tempt them with multiple different diets and talk with your veterinarian about an appetite stimulant.
How Can I Change My Dog’s Diet?
It’s important to always transition your dog’s diet slowly unless directed to do so otherwise by a veterinarian.
If you think that you need to adjust the amount of food your dog eats, start slow.
Calculate how many calories your dog is eating in a day, and increase that by small amounts at first.
Make sure not to feed them too much at one time though, as this can upset their stomach as well.
Make sure to be feeding them their caloric needs based on their ideal weight, not their current weight.
Calculate how many calories your dog is eating in a day, and increase that by small amounts at first.
Make sure not to feed them too much at one time though, as this can upset their stomach as well.
Make sure to be feeding them their caloric needs based on their ideal weight, not their current weight.
How Much Should I Exercise My Dog to Help Them Gain Weight?
It’s important to continue to exercise your dog even when trying to put on the pounds to ensure that they build muscle and not just fat.
Just make sure to keep their expenditure in mind when calculating their caloric needs.
Just make sure to keep their expenditure in mind when calculating their caloric needs.
Keep their exercise routine consistent as you add more food into their diet.
They will still be able to gain weight, and keeping their bodies active will make sure that those extra pounds go to the right places.
They will still be able to gain weight, and keeping their bodies active will make sure that those extra pounds go to the right places.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for something new to switch up your dog’s diet, consider switching to Sundays.
Our food is made with exclusively human-grade ingredients—nothing sketchy.
We also air-dry our food which leads to a significant increase in nutrient retention on top of just making it taste better.
Our food is made with exclusively human-grade ingredients—nothing sketchy.
We also air-dry our food which leads to a significant increase in nutrient retention on top of just making it taste better.
Try Sunday’s for your dog and see for yourself.
It’s all-natural and ready-to-eat out of the box. Our pups love it, and we think yours will too.
It’s all-natural and ready-to-eat out of the box. Our pups love it, and we think yours will too.
Sources: