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Subject: Feeding to put some weight on?

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Alplily

Posts:16

12/06/2012 8:30 PM
Marley the 1-2 year old rescue that I am trialing for awhile arrived very skinny--he has no body fat and every rib shows clearly. He is getting 1 cup of Eukanuba Dalmatian 2x per day (and lots of small treats during training). After he settles in, I will work him up to higher quality food, but this is what he is used to. What can I add to his diet to safely get some healthy weight on him? Thanks

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1188

12/06/2012 10:10 PM
I am not sure what the feeding dosage on the bag recommends, but remember those are just guidelines (give or take dog by dog). Two cups total of food a day seems a bit low to me unless it was a high quality/high protein ratio food. Usually lower to midrange quality foods require more cups of food. Bella is on a higher quality/protein food and eats 3-4 cups total per day (adjusted based upon her appetite, she tends to lull some skipping breakfast in the warmer months). It may not hurt to up the servings a bit. Does he seem to be searching for more for a few minutes after feeding? If so, he may need more. Others will have better advice on things to add with the kibble for weight gain. There are a few threads in the past if you can find them as well that may be helpful.

KRcanuck

Posts:17

12/07/2012 6:37 AM
I feed 2.5 cups total a day to my only 25 lb beagle basset mix (high energy for a hound, but I don't think as rambunctious as a GSP) and it's quite a high quality food. It seems to be maintaining his weight quite well. He is certainly not skin and bones, but he has a well defined "waist." He came to us quite skinny too as a rescue, and we fed him puppy food for a while.

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3130

12/07/2012 6:53 AM
yeah I think the norm is 3-4 cups a day depending on brand of food and the dog itself...

cynthiarose User is Offline

COLORADO

MH
Posts:133

12/07/2012 12:43 PM
Well I just did a google search and didn't see Eukanuba Dalmatian anywhere, but I did go to the Eukanuba website and most of the adult formulas recommend 2 1/2- 3 1/2 cups per day for a 50lb dog. Havoc is 66lbs and fairly active and he gets 4 cups per day (Blue Buffalo) please treats during training.

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7835

12/07/2012 10:05 PM
Just increase his food a little and see if that helps. If after a few days you don't see a difference increase it a little more. An easy way to know gauge the correct weight is to check their hip bones (you should not be able to see them) and check his ribs (you should be able to feel the ribs and even see the last one or two). Just keep increasing the food till he starts putting on weight and then level it off. If he starts getting a little heavy then decrease it a little. Eukanuba is not that horrible and I would leave him on it until you decide you are going to keep him. It will be harder on him if you change it and then return him and the rescue puts him back on Eukanuba.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

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