Hey everyone, I haven't posted in a long time but I was wondering how I can put about 10 pounds on my 14 months old female GSP. She now eats Purina Pro Plan Performance Formula and eats 4 cups a day. She eats 2 cups in the morning and 2 cups for dinner at night. Libby (her name) weighs about 48 pounds and we can see alittle of her ribs so she needs to gain weight. But we just don't know how to do that. We give her a few treats a day. 

I had read on the internet about Satin Balls which is a recipe that puts weight on dogs quickly but I don't know if I should give her that because as you all know GSP's have a sensitive stomach and might give her diaherra. Has anyone given their GSP satin balls. 

Anybody know how I should put weight on Libby?

Thanks.

 Hi,

I too have a 12 month old GSP female that weighs anywhere from 48-51 pounds, depending on how much she runs, shivers, skips meals due to excitment, etc.   You cannot count all her ribs, but you can definitely make out her hips, lower rib cage, and spine.   The vet said that this is a lean breed, and that she is a normal weight.  My male GSP is thicker, more solid, and you can make out his ribs, but he has a definite fad pad growing on his chest that jiggles when he runs!   He does not look fat anywhere on his body except his chest when he runs!   From the side, and back, it looks as though he could stand to gain a couple of pounds...not so per the vet and our breeder!    I think that seeing ribs is pretty much par for the course.  I feed both of mine 41/2 -5 cups a day, and if they run long and hard and ask to be fed again, I will add another cup at the end of their day.     There are some days, Maybrie is so excited to play and has so much energy, she will basically skip a meal, or only eat half of both of her meals.   I think my two are proof that if they are hungry, or not getting enough, usually they will scarf down their food, or will beg or ask for more.  My two know where their food is kept.  I have been led to the kitchen many times by two over-eager excited pups, only to get there and see them both sitting perfectly, staring up at the pantry door, as if to say, "It's in there, get it please!"  

I use to worry nonstop about their weight, but now, not so much.   I think that unless they are sick, they will let you know!    Your pup may eat more one day and hardly eat the next.   It's all okay!  

We used to have problems keeping weight on our older (first) GSP until we switched to a better quality food. He was on 4 cups/day of Exceed and still looked like a starving dog from some village in the Middle Ages. Plus there was a LOT of "output".

So we did some research and came up with a food that was higher in protein and grainless: EVO Turkey/Chicken. Not only did our dog put on muscle, but his coat inproved and even his stamina in the field. He is now getting about 2 1/4 cups/per day and is in good "pre-season field condition" (you can see his ribs, has a well defined waist, etc.) In fact, BOTH our 5 yr old & 17 month old GSPs are on it.

You feed LESS of a better quality food, so even though it seems more expensive at the checkout, the fact is that the food is higher quality &  more calorie dense so they are definitely getting what they need.