Puppy not gaining weight

[Jodi and Stella]

Stella has only gained 1 pound in the last 2 and a half months. She is 6 and a half months old and not even 30 pounds. (about 19" at the shoulder) Her parents are both about 45 pounds. She is a light eater and a busy little girl. Is this about where she should be?

[Gillian]

We noticed Maizey's weight also tapering off around 6 months... she's probably gained 3 pounds in the lat 3 months and is about 28 lbs. Both her parents were about 40 lbs as well. I think it's really hard to tell with these mixed breeds how big they will get. My vet told me as long as there is some cover (a layer of fat) over her ribs, but you can still feel the spine and rib bones when you rub, she's not too skinny.

 

My vet also suggested increasing her food amount by 1/8 cup at each meal and see if she eats it all. In Maizey's case, I could give her the entire bag of food and she'd eat it in one sitting, so we decided NOT to increase her intake as we were more concerned with obesity. You could try giving her a bit more food for a few days and see how much she wants to eat...

 

I wouldn't worry yet unless there are other signs of concern (lethargy, irregular pee/poop, etc)

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

I wish KoKo would slow down weight wise.  She is almost five months and up to 23 pounds.  She loves to eat.  Our other two doods weight in at 21 and 22 pounds and they are fully grown.  They were finicky eaters and it took a number of tries before we found the right food for them.  KoKo eats anything and everything - stuffing from her toys, Maggie's food if she gets a chance, baseboards, etc.  

 

I wouldn't worry about Stella.  We have two light eaters and one who wants all her food and more. They are all so different and we humans have to adjust.

[Leslie and Halas]

Halas is a mini, and his growth really slowed down at 6 or 7 months. He had another growth spurt later. So I wouldn't worry.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I don't know that seems just about right. Is she spayed yet,? I seem to remember Daisy gaining a little faster right after that. My vet told me that she would gain steadily until 6 months and then after that slow down. she also said that at 6 months add 10lbs + or - 5 and you will have a good weight guess of her 1 year mark - well that was right on. She weighs 65lbs now and is right in line with her dad at 65 and her mom at 50.

[Jodi and Stella]

She was just spayed yesterday, we'll she if she puts a little more weight on now. Thanks for the reply.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I had trouble getting Cooper to put weight on when she was growing - well she put weight on but she was always so skinny - she was being fed Raw, when i switched to a high protein, no grain kibble (Orijen) she "fattened" up nicely.

 

What are you feeding?

[Jodi and Stella]

I am feeding her Orijen, sometimes adding cooked chicken breast, sweet potato or cottage cheese on the side. We let her free feed, sometimes she finishes her bowl, sometimes hardly touches it. 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I would not worry, slowing down around 6 months I would think is normal and there is always a wide range of weight and size even if both parents are the same.  Rooney is now 17 lbs and a sister from his litter is only 9.8lbs.  So you just never know.  At the next vet visit you could ask but I don't think you have anything to be concerned about.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I think as long as she doesnt appear under-weight (as in skinny) I wouldnt worry too much

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hi  Jodi,

This may or may not help you. I looked at Spud's growth chart .doc file and he slowed down at 7 months.  He stayed the same give or take a few pounds for a year, then at 18 months to 2 years gained 6 lbs ( piggy)   

Remember these guys are poodles too, so some of the doodles are skinny.   Here was one photo of about the same age as Stella where I was just horrified.

Spud does have a touch of IBH, eats nothing but his food because of this but we have seen a huge difference from 18 months to 2 years.

Attached is his growth chart.

And here is his horrible picture.  This was taken out in the garage so excuse the carpet.  One of my fosters was grossly underweight.  We added peanut butter and a higher calorie food ( see food group for helps on adding high calorie)

At the time EVO was almost a 100kcal more per cup than what I was feeding.  We now feed Acana which is higher in Kcals!  Might be an idea.  Get some food with my kcals.  Good Luck

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh I see you feed Orijen.  Never mind my reply about kcals. Can't do much better than that! 

Can't wait until you post--my dog is gaining weight.  And you will  :)    I did.

[Jodi and Stella]

Thanks Joanne. I like your growth chart, mine is pencil marks on our bottom stair rail and I've just kind of kept her weight in my head. I should make a chart too, as stuff does not stay in my head to much anymore...