Ribs/Spine finally not showing but had to double food amt. Bad??

[Layla's Mom]

Layla has always been skinny-she ranges between 47-50# and is 17 mos old. Vet always says she could gain a pound or two but was in perfect health. She's very active and goes to doggie daycare twice a week. I feed her Canidae and had always fed her almost 2.5 cups twice a day--Bag recommends only 3 cups per day. Even though I want her on the trim and lean side, the sight of her ribs(all of them) and spine sticking out was even getting to me. I increased her food by a cup which now doubles!! the recommended amount and her ribs and spine are finally not as prominent.

I know all dogs are different and go through different stages but I just have a major concern feeding her double the recommended amount in order to maintain her still skinny but at least less emaciated look. Are there major health concerns to feeding this much and any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Taryn and Layla

PS-I tried doing a search for over an hour on over-feeding, etc but could not find threads related to problems other than eventual weight gain.

 

[abby's mum]

I would take her to the vet and ask there opinion. Maybe there are some tests they could run to just check everything out. If that shows up nothing, then maybe try feeding her a different food. I have heard Canidae is good but maybe she needs something different. Abby gets Natural Balance and she has gained weight on it. Maybe there is a higher fat food or you could add stuff like cottage cheese and such.

 

[Slippynicla]

That is odd. I would take her to the vet, and have them tests for worms, etc. just to make sure there is nothing else going on there.

The Canidea is slightly higher in fat than Natural Balance (we also fed our skinny girl this and she gained 8lbs. in just over a month), but I would think of adding more fat to her diet for the time being. Maybe satin balls would do the trick.

 

[Layla's Mom]

Thanks for the replies! Layla just had her annual check-up and no problems with worms, thyroid, etc. Vet thinks she's "perfect" and just may have a fast metabolism. It's just the hips, ribs and spine jutting out that I don't like. I love everything about Canidae-no allergies, firmer stools, beautiful coat and I don't mind the expense, it's just that I am worried about too much protein, fats, nutrients, etc. Does that sound odd? She eats every morsel and always looks for more. I also was giving her peanut butter for extra fat in her Kong but have cut back due to looser stools. I will consider researching other foods as that may do the trick.

Thanks,
Taryn and Layla

 

[firedog]

I had this same problem with Brindy, except I am putting the weight on her slowly. I only increased her food by 1cup. She is starting to look a little better.
Rachel

 

[bustermom]

Ah, the advantages of youth - a high metabolism! :D

Buster (he'll be 2 next month) is fed a combo of Canidae and homecooking and on his "just kibble" days he eats close to 4 cups a day and maintains a nice healthy weight, which for him hovers around 70lbs. He is also very active and a perpetual bottomless pit when it comes to food - he would eat until he exploded given the chance.

In her younger days, our 8 year old Boston Terrier would also eat close to double the "recommended amount" of kibble and easily be able to maintain her trim figure. Now that her metabolism has slowed a bit, she's eating the "recommended" amount and maintaining her proper weight.

This has been the pattern for just about every dog I've had over the years - an active youth and a high metabolism means more food is required but once middle age sets in those calorie requirements start to decline (kind of like active teenagers...).

The only exception to this rule was my chihuahua who could just look at peanut butter and get chubby... much like his mommy... :D

Also, keep in mind that the amount you're feeding her now is allowing her to GAIN weight. Once she reaches what you feel is her optimum weight, you'll be able to cut back just a little so that she maintains that weight without further gain. Feed her as much as she requires to be healthy - the guidelines on the bag are nothing more than that - guidelines.

 

[Kbryant]

weight gain a problem

My 4 month old fawn male named Jake is also very thin, ribs showing clearly. I have been so worried about it. I feed him Canidae too. At least I think now that it may be more common than I thought. My vet offered no suggestions other than increasing his food intake. I bought Nutrical, a tube of a high calorie supplement to try. Also, someone suggested oatmeal and soy milk. I have no idea if that's a bad thing or a good thing. My Jake also eats like crazy but has no parasite problem. He is extremely active, also in day care once a week and busy all the time with my 8 month old Boxer. So, I guess with all that energy, it's hard to get him to gain weight. If anyone has any idea about oatmeal and soy milk, I'd love to hear it. I have a hard time getting my babies to eat before I leave for work in the morning so I poured about a 1/4 cup of soy milk on their dry food this morning and they ate it all up, super fast. Is this ok? I thought that maybe I'd do that each morning until little Jake fattens up a little bit.

 

[BXR MOM]

My 4 year old female who would prefer to live outside and chase the birds and the squirrels eats 3 cups of Royal Canin 2 times per day. She weighs 53 pounds. She too is very skinny. I have always thought it was just her high energy output that kept her so skinny. She too is perfectly healthy. Her 1 1/2 year old brother also eats the same, but he weighs in at 70 pounds.

 

[Roxydog]

I think the way you are approaching it is fine. An extra cup of food certainly wont hurt her at this point especially if you and your vet are agreeing that the exta weight would be good for Layla. After she gains a suffficient amt. of weight you could put her on more of a weight mantenence diet and maybe cut back about 1/2 a cup from what you are giving her since it seems like she will be gaining weight on the about 3 1/2 that you are giving her now. Good luck! It sounds like you are on the right track!

 

[zinzy]

My 3 year old won't gain weight

Hi there,

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