Mia is really thin.

[Demi]

Hi im Demi and new to boxerworld. i just wanted som opinions because my baby Mia(7 months) has always been really thin. She eats fine but dosent have an inch of fat on her body. She was the smallest in the litter and I got her because I felt an immediate connection and was worried no one would want her. But anyways i love her to death and i am concerned. At the dog park I usually go to everyone says shes thin and jokes that she is a toy boxer. I have gone to the vet frequently since i got her and she has all her shots and checkups. The vet says she is fine and her wight is normal but im scared. Her ribs show a lot and she looks thin from above as well.

 

[Cami]

Boxers should have an athletic build. They shouldn't have any fat on them. That being said a "typical" 7 month old Boxer will be on the thinner side. They seem to grow UP in height before filling out which can take 18 months to 3 years of age.
Seeing ribs isn't that bothersome and in reality when fully grown you want to see a rib or two on them. Not seing that would be a sign of needing to drop a pound or two.
If your vet is fine with your girls progress and weight and if she is eating well then she should be fine.
A steady weight gain is far preferred than gaining weight too fast. They will go through various stages where it seems as if they grew overnight only to stay at seemingly the same weight for weeks.

 

[Josue]

We had/have the same concerns with our 2yr old as well. He's only 57lbs, which is pretty small for a male boxer, but our vet said he's perfectly healthy and has a very nice build to him. He's VERY muscular and athletic, I just thought he should weigh a little more for a male of his age. Maybe he was the runt of his litter too...

 

[Demi]

thank you and another problem has arisen.

Today I bought her food (Merrick) and noticed two worms on the floor. One was under the bag and the other was 2 ft away. They looked like maggots at first and then i looked em up and found that they were moth worms? i looked on google and matched wat they looked like. Im worried and don't know if they were coming from her. i searched the bag and didnt find anymore? ive never seen theses things in my house EVER. Im low on money right now but as soon as I can Ineed to check her out with the vet. Can anyone relate?

 

[samsons]

wow ~ sounds very very familiar ... when i first got my guy ( a 2 YO rescue he was def underweight 56 lbs ) he now weighs 70 ish ....( still have a lean build and see last cpl ribs - he is at his perfect weight ) i had so so many post about weight, & kibble , read everything i could find about him GAIniNG some weight -

forgot who told me this on here - but the best thing u can do is feed them well - add a bit of love and let them be ... and as many will say they are a lean breed - ya i i get that - but my boy was done right skinny - malnourished ( 2 yr in a cage will do that ) BUT i followed the advice i asked for - put him on a 6 star food ( taste of the wild ) supplemented ( well coreness 95 % ) and he slowly , correctly put on some weight - u do have to remember at ur babys age they are in the awkward teen years and tend to be a bit skinny ...

just as long as u feed well - ur vet says all is good - they WILL fill out !! trust me i just learned that one !!

Sam 1 mo after he found his forever home ~ he actually looks good in this pic he is turned a bit , so u dont really see all the first ribs

My Samson 2010 :: samson133.jpg picture by anderson49048 - Photobucket

this is Sam now - took this last week when he was having a fit because dinner wasn't on time -

5 OCLOCK :: STARVING TO DEATH picture by anderson49048 - Photobucket

we are only talking a few mo on good kibble and added supplements - and what a difference

 

[Demi]

thankyou

And yes thats exactly what she looks like only its worse because she is white and you can see her whole chest cavity. i'll deffinately follow your advice and will try to stop worrying. i'ts just tough so see some her boxer friends at they park and they look so healthy.

 

[chipnjo]

Our first vet visit, a few weeks ago, went well, but the doc told me Allie looked a little light. I thought nothing of it before the visit because I, too, had read that boxers are a lean breed.

Of course, since, we have done what we can to put weight on her by upping her food about 25% (vet recommended) and adding some flavor to actually get her to eat it.

The most recent visit, the doc said she looked really good. I can't really tell a difference because of all the ribs and waistline like you describe. But, of course, she gained weight from one visit to the other and I will defer to the vet most of the time.

I point this out because the vet actually told us our pup was thin. If yours hasn't said anything, I doubt you have anything to worry about.

 

[TurboCain]

I know this can be aggrivating to say the least as I have gone through this with my now 6 yr old brindle boy. He has been on the very thin side for years now. I have put him on premium "high energy" foods, mixing canned in with his dry, and nothing has worked for him. He's had all kinds of test run at the vet and they can find nothing. He typically weighs mid 50's and would look very good if he could just gain about 10 lbs. He's all ribs :-( He is actually a little taller than my 80 lb fawn boxer. He was not the runt of the litter and his mom was average for a female boxer at about 55-60 lbs. so I'm not really sure what his deal is. Perhaps just like some humans he just has a crazy metabolism.