weight gainer

[CoraBoxer]

Anyone have any suggestions on what I could try to get my boy to put on some healthy weight? He's always been very lean, and every time I manage to get him up 5lbs he gets tummy issues of some kind and looses it. He's currently on Now! Grain Free and eating 3 cups a day (recommended daily amount is up to 3 cups). He's really sensitive to higher amounts of protein in other foods. Can I add some sort of weight gainer type food to his current diet, or is it a better idea to change the food. More fat? More cals? Any help is appreciated. Ideally he could do with gaining 5-7lbs.

 

[derBoxer]

only 3 cups? Would he eat more if you give it to him? My male boxer eats 5-6 cups a day plus treats easily and is very lean and muscular. I find boxers have a very high metabolism and burn it off easily with regular walks. I stuck with foods that have protein under 30%
When my boxer was on Orijen and Acana, he had massive, stinky gas, bad breath and rumbles in his stomach. Potien sources I use are turkey, lamb and salmon work really well for my boxer. I don't rely on posted guidelines and let my boxer eat as much as he likes IF he is exercised regularly and not lethargic.

 

[whiskers]

Would he be okay with just more food? 3 cups is a good bit of food but if his body tolerates more (ie, he doesn't get diarrhea from eating too much), I'd definitely try that to start.

You can add fattier foods - whole fat yogurt, cooked oatmeal, peanut butter, coconut oil - but the question is, if he gained weight with those supplements, would he maintain that weight when they are taken away? If he's not able to maintain on kibble alone, I'd say he simply just needs a little more food.

 

[Jan]

I would definitely feed more. The amount on the bag is only a guideline. You also might try dividing his meals into 3 if that is feasible for you.

 

[derBoxer]

If you are in Canada like me and have a store that carries presidents choice products like the superstore, I would recommend you try their president`s choice Nutrition first dog food.
My boxer and JRT love the lamb & rice formula, and the salmon & potato formula.
It has no wheat, corn or soy. No by products. good prebiotics and digestible protein sources with ratios under 30%. I get a 30lb. for $38.99 in my area.

The orijen and Acana where really good for my dogs in the beginning, but I find the high protein % in my case where too hard on my boxer and JRT over time. Rumbling stomach, smelly gas, real smelly poo with the doggy breath.

The President`s choice Nutrition first has all the premium ingredients with a more manageable protein %.

I have recommended this to my neighbours and friends with labs, St. Bernard, JRT and especially other boxers with great success.

All of them commented their dogs appetite and enthusiasm returned, along with not eating as much grass as before.

I walk my dogs about 10km a day and find the food very adequate. Unless your dog is working the farm all day, or pulling a sled 50km daily these super high protein foods maybe doing more harm than good.

I wish you the best of luck.

 

[CoraBoxer]

I started mixing Wellness (grain free) canned meat with one of his meals - yes he eats twice a day. I've done 2cups per meal and he seems to maintain good stool. I was just worried about giving more because I wasn't sure how much more. He isn't good on Acana, Orijen... higher protein stuff.

You can add fattier foods - whole fat yogurt, cooked oatmeal, peanut butter, coconut oil - but the question is, if he gained weight with those supplements, would he maintain that weight when they are taken away? If he's not able to maintain on kibble alone, I'd say he simply just needs a little more food.

That makes sense!.. I have really only thought about getting him up, not maintaining it.