No weight gain

[myboxerbabyz]

Bo was given to me by a guy who crated him 15 or so hours a day. We got him at 9 months old, he was 45 lbs at the time. This was back in November...fast forward to now...

He is still about 45 lbs, give or take a pound, very tall and muscular, but has not gained any weight since we got him. He checked out good at the vet, but I thought that boxers continue to grow to about 18 months, weight wise til about 2-3 years. What am I doing wrong with Bo that he does not put on weight well?

He is currently eating 2.25 cups of Canidae in the morning and the same at night. He gets exercise with Jetta daily...Jetta is also on the small side, rather short and stocky...but she is putting on some weight.

 

[myboxerbabyz]

anyone have any suggestions?

 

[gmacleod]

Has he grown any taller since you got him? Many boxers are still growing (upward) by about the 14-ish month mark, and between there and 18 months is when the growth plates 'close' (as in, harden to solid bone, so that no more growth is possible). But that's not a hard and fast rule, any more than it is for humans. Some finish their upward growth earlier, and some even a little later.

It is a little bit of a concern that he hasn't gained any weight in that time... But how does he look, and how tall is he? If you say 45lb for a 25" tall dog, then it's quite seriously underweight. If, on the other hand, he's 20" tall, then it's not such a bad weight at all (though he would be quite a small dog). You say quite tall, so I'm guessing it's more the former than the latter

I would say that quite a few boxers DO seem to put all their energy into growing taller, quite forgetting about filling out as they go. The result is tall, skinny pups - who remain that way until they're done with growing taller (eg. the 18 month mark) and only after that start to fill out. I'm sure you've read that before. But what it often means is that you don't start to see any real filling out until between 2 and 3 years of age.

Irrespective, it is quite unusual that he hasn't gained any weight. Getting taller without any weight gain would also suggest getting thinner.. How thin is he, and what are you currently feeding him? Possibly a change in food - or type of food - might help.

 

[butlersmom]

I noticed that you're feeding him 4 1/2 cups of Canidae/day. Is he eating all of that? Butler is 6 and gets 1 1/2 cups 2xday. He also seemed on the tall side, but was never actuall "skinny" like my first boxer (female). What does your vet say? If he/she thinks there's no problem, I'd just continue to do what you're doing and eventually he'll fil out (weight will catch up with his height). Butler's did.

Sorry, not much help. Hopefully someone else can offer more.

 

[Rocky Inberg]

So he's getting 4.5 cups of Canidae / day, that sounds like more than enough and if he is able to gain weight he should be given that amount.

Maybe substitute some feedings with raw meals?

Good luck!

 

[vannym]

Bo was given to me by a guy who crated him 15 or so hours a day. We got him at 9 months old, he was 45 lbs at the time. This was back in November...fast forward to now...

He is still about 45 lbs, give or take a pound, very tall and muscular, but has not gained any weight since we got him. He checked out good at the vet, but I thought that boxers continue to grow to about 18 months, weight wise til about 2-3 years. What am I doing wrong with Bo that he does not put on weight well?

He is currently eating 2.25 cups of Canidae in the morning and the same at night. He gets exercise with Jetta daily...Jetta is also on the small side, rather short and stocky...but she is putting on some weight.

OUr dog hasn't gain any weight eithe since we fixed him which was during christmas, he just turned a year may 4,
and actually ever since he had his surgery we have been having problems ever since, like vomiting, jelly like stools, stomach noises.

its quit aggravating when we take him to the vet, and they just keep on giving up medicine, after medicine and still no resultion.

 

[myboxerbabyz]

He is a lot taller than our female, a good 2 inches- I'd say like 22 inches maybe. I am concerned because I can see some spine, some hip and a lot of ribs...I don't think he's grown upward since we got him either, he seems to just have stopped growing at 9 months.

 

[dalefuller]

Well, if it was me, I'd be back at the vet for a more thorough checkup. I'd ask for a complete physical including blood work, a check for worms, and anything else that might give a clue about why he isn't gaining any weight.

Canidae is a pretty good food. 4.5 cups a day ought to be showing up somewhere.

 

[butlersmom]

After 7 months with no weight gain and feeding the amount of a quality food as you are, I'd say it's time to get some answers from either your current vet, or possibly a new one. Although boxers do go through skinny stages, what you're describing IS NOT normal. I would be parked at the vet's office when they open tomorrow - but then again, I'd have already driven them crazy wanting to know what is going on. Hope you get some answers for his sake.

 

[myboxerbabyz]

Yeah, the sage continues...

Bo is usually Mr. Pig dog, always wanting more food, checking Jetta's crate after dinner to see if she left anything, etc. Well last night, he REFUSED to eat...we left his food in his crate overnight and it was still there. Then we let him out and he only had a very small BM...he ignored his food all day and ate about 1/2 of last night's dinner this evening...then he had some bad diarrhea tonight in his crate...


I've been to 2 vets, plus where he got neutered and we get the same as long as he's eating, and his muscle tone stays good he's fine...its very fustrating!

Right now we can't afford to go to the vet though as I just got out of the hospital myself and have not worked in 4 months due to severe illness and am currently recovering from major abdominal surgery. I'm due back to work in a week or so, so hopefully we can take him in then with the cat for her yearly exam and her 1 year boosters.