Jake is not off his dietary restrictions from last week's health episode. For the past week, his diet has been chicken, or beef, and rice with mixed in blue buffalo dry food, with meals being given as a larger breakfast and dinner, and 2-3 more smaller (about 1.5-2 cups) of the meat and rice in between.

The problem is that his weight is either stuck at or dropping from 55.5 pounds. It is hard to say exactly since he has been on several scales, but on one scale he went from 57-54 in two weeks, and on the other, where I am taking him myself, have him standing in as exact the same position as possible on the same scale, he went from 55.5 monday to 53.5 yesterday!!

He had checked in at the kennel we rescued him from at 68lbs in April. The vet sees nothing at the moment and has suggested giving it time before more tests.

My question is, I know from past experience that there are several food to help lower weight (we had a Fit and Trim hot dog for years) but I am unaware of how to help a dog GAIN weight. Does anyone know a good brand, or suggest how I can prepare at least half his meals at home to help him put on the pounds? The vet suggested a powder which I am hoping to find today (had to wait on a little cash, plus weight till his health cleared). I would rather take the route of dietary changes to supplements, but I am not sure how to go about it. People here seem to be so knowledgableand experienced I was hoping for help? How to we fatten Jake up?

I know some dogs are just thin, but he looks emaciated (though shows no obvious signs of malnutrition or health effects from the weight loss).

Wow - 6 cups!  I don't want to come across as rude but are your dogs not pooping machines with that much food?  Zoe is 50 lbs and gets a cup in the morning and a cup at night of dry food.  Archer is about 65 lbs and he gets one & 1/4 cups in the morning & at night.  If I feed either one of them any more than that they get tummy issues.

 DLord,  Yep....I know 6 cups sounds like a lot, but they run a lot.   They have been a little less active during this part of the summer, so more often then not, our large male gets 5 cups.  I spoke to the vet, and he said some eat more than others, and he's mainaining his weight, not gaining.  He is huge.  They usually poop 3-4x per day.    I know what you mean though, my 85 pound lab gets 2 cups a day, and my 40 pound Aussie/Brittany mix gets 1 1/2 cups a day.   My 60 pound female GSP is super bouncy and hyper and runs a HUGE amount. If she doesn't get at least 4 cups a day she will lose weight and looks very bony.  As it is now, you can see ribs, and hip bones but she looks very heatlthy!  She is thin and wiry looking, and has a smaller frame.  My male is super buff looking, but I can still see ribs on him.  I certainly would not want him to gain anymore weight though!  He could actually stand to lose about 5 pounds, but that will happen when he runs even more.  He is out of shape due to the 4 week confinement for his broken toe.