Afraid my dog is too skinny - HELP!

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

I have a 16 mo. old chocolate mini Australian labradoodle who has been weighing in at 30 lbs.  Last time I took him to the vet, one I'd never seen at the practice, he laced into me about how skinny Bosco is - said he shouldn't be able to feel his ribs so prominently beneath his fur, doesn't feel much muscle mass on his legs. I was mortified - I'd been feeding Bosco California Natural diet, the rx'd amount, but Bosco didn't even eat all that I gave him in his bowl.  I'd even cooked him chopped meat, rice, chicken broth - he simply isn't much of an eater. And if I do introduce new foods I've learned I must do so slowly as otherwise it causes severe GI upset.

 

It wasn't until yesterday when we took Bosco in to be groomed and picked him up to find....a stick figure shadow of our dog!  Seems he was quite matted (Les Pooches brush is now on order!) so he needed to be shorn down. And what an embarrassing sight - this dog is fur and bones. 

 

What am I to do? He seems otherwise healthy.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know you don't want to switch foods, but I would try to find something that packs more calories per cup that CN. We are no longer recommending it anyway, because of the P & G buyout. I'd try switching to a good grain-free food, or maybe Wellness Simple Solutions if he has a sensitive GI system.

Easiest way to add calories to her diet would be to add grated cheese to her meals...if he can tolerate it. Otherwise, cooked lean ground beef (well-drained) is your best bet.

Try combing Bosco several times a week, being sure to get all the way down to the skin, in addition to brushing him. Start now, while his fur is so short and it's easy. Brushing alone won't always prevent matting, and frequent combing will help you monitor his weight and condition while preventing matting at the same time.

[Jess and Pippin]

I would try switching foods.  We had a similar problem with one of our other dogs.  He was always a picky eater, had to bribe him to eat.  Tried several brands of foods and he just couldn't put weight on.  My vet advised us to switch to raw (due to other health issues, not just the weight).  He was on 75% raw red meat (allergic to chicken) and 25% ground veg.  No grain, no poultry.  He went from 17 pounds to 23 pounds in the space of 3 months (he was a cavalier poodle cross) and we never had problems trying to make him eat. Also, try adding a splash (teaspoon) of good quality fish oil to each meal.  The oil is really good for the joints and coat as well as adding high quality fat calories. Hope you find something that works!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's interesting. Many of the raw fed dogs I've seen are extremely lean and skinny looking.

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Just depends on how much you feed and how much your dog will eat. Raw fed dogs who like to eat can get obese just like kibble fed dogs.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have an overweight cat who was fed raw for 7 years. Now some days she gets raw, some days she gets diet kibble!

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Thanks ladies. I got some samples from doggie day care today (where I was afraid Bosco's canine pals were going to laugh at or shun him, he looks so...silly and pathetic my poor dog)....of Holistic Select dog food; the owner there said when he does boarding and has a dog who doesn't eat, the brand of seafood especially seems to get them chowing down.  Are either of you familiar with that brand? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Susan, we have a list of Recommended Foods here; there's a link on the main page of the Food Group here. Holistic Select is on our list. It is not particularly calorie dense, but if your dog likes it, that's a plus.

The Recommended Foods list has links to all of the manufacturers websites, so you can check formulas and calorie content. Dog who don't eat much need a food that contains a lot of calories per cup, so they get more calories for the amount they do eat.

We also do not recommend that you take food advice from anyone who profits from your purchasing the product, so I wouldn't put much stock in what the daycare owner says. What if the best food for your dog was one he didn't carry?

Many of our FG owners say their dogs prefer Fromm. It's particularly good for picky eaters, because there are several different formulas designed to be rotated, which keeps the dog interested.

And of course, Orijen is calorie dense, and many dogs, including mine, seem to love it. The sister line, Acana, is popular here as well.

 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Holistic Select is an ok food - but the fish flavours of most brands go down well (cos its the stinkiest I think), but to put weight on your dog, Id suggest going with a grain free food (Holistic Select has quite a bit of rice and oatmeal) with higher protein (Holistic Select fish is only 22%). Id suggest something at least 30%

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Quincy gobbles down his Fromms Surf n' Turf and it stinks.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper was super skinny when she was younger. we switched her to Orijen and her weight is now perfect. One of my 3 cats isnt much of an eater, so I make sure she has a high protein high calorie food so even though she eats less than the recommended amount, I know she is getting nutrients from every ingredient in the kibble. I suggest you look for a high protein grain free food, one with different flavours like Karen suggests so you can give a differnt meart source each time you buy a bag (assuming his tummy can handle it). Taste of the Wild seems pretty popular with picky dogs, as does Orijen and Acana. All of these have different flavours you can rotate as does Fromm

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Great advice, everyone...thank you. I have heard of Fromm.  Definitely going to check it out.