underweight GSD
#339109 - 07/19/2011 08:16 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-16-2011
Posts: 10
Loc:
Offline |
|
About 2 months ago I adopted a 2yo female GSD. I'm having a problem getting her to gain weight. I have her on a raw diet and feed her almost 2 lb. a day (that's almost 3% for an ideal body weight of 65lb). But she only weighs 50lbs and that number will not go up no matter how much I feed her. I know it's good for dogs to stay fairly thin/lean, but her hip bones are sticking out and I can feel all the ridges on her spine, as well as see/feel all of her ribs. Is this something I should be worried about? Other than her weight, she's healthy. She has a ton of energy, eyes are bright, etc.
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Shannon Pedroni ]
#339110 - 07/19/2011 08:23 PM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-11-2002
Posts: 2679
Loc: North Florida (Live Oak area)
Offline |
|
If she does not have loose stools or anything similar I would just adjust her food up.
Some dogs need more food then others.
Raw feeding can be tricky, if you are relatively new to it you might want to post a typical menu and some of the experts here may be able to give you suggestions.
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Betty Waldron ]
#339111 - 07/19/2011 08:33 PM |
Webboard User
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 05-09-2005
Posts: 1340
Loc: SE Michigan
Offline |
|
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Shannon Pedroni ]
#339115 - 07/19/2011 09:08 PM |
Moderator
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
About 2 months ago I adopted a 2yo female GSD. I'm having a problem getting her to gain weight. I have her on a raw diet and feed her almost 2 lb. a day (that's almost 3% for an ideal body weight of 65lb). But she only weighs 50lbs and that number will not go up no matter how much I feed her. I know it's good for dogs to stay fairly thin/lean, but her hip bones are sticking out and I can feel all the ridges on her spine, as well as see/feel all of her ribs. Is this something I should be worried about? Other than her weight, she's healthy. She has a ton of energy, eyes are bright, etc.
Please post a typical day's food, with weights and types of RMBs.
Also, can we see photos (like at a Photobucket-type site), one from the side at her level and one from above with her standing? Just to give us an idea ....
Was she the same weight when you adopted her? Or has it gone down?
Does she have normal log poops?
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#339122 - 07/19/2011 10:21 PM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 08-23-2007
Posts: 1196
Loc: Centralia, Missouri
Offline |
|
How much will she eat if you offer her all she wants?
Are you including fat as part of her diet? They gain much better with some fat in the diet, rather than just a whole lot of protein.
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Debbie Bruce ]
#339149 - 07/20/2011 01:36 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-16-2011
Posts: 10
Loc:
Offline |
|
I'll see about getting the pictures.
She was this weight when I adopted her - her weight hasn't gone down at all.
Typically her meals look like this:
60% RMB (chicken necks & chicken backs)
20% grount turkey
10 - 15% organ meat
5% veggie mix
Her poops are weird. Most days she has normal log poop, but then randomly she poops VERY soft, light colored logs that barely hold a shape to them (if at all). I had some diahhrea issues with her when I first switched her over to raw, but most of that has gone away since I started adding probiotics to her food.
Melissa, thanks for that link. She doesn't look as bad as those dogs in the pictures, and she hasn't actually lost any weight.
Debbie, I don't ever offer her all she wants. Like I said, I feed her about 2 pounds a day, aprox 1 pound per meal. I don't have a lot of fat her diet right now ... I'll try adding a little.
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Shannon Pedroni ]
#339151 - 07/20/2011 01:44 PM |
Webboard User
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-11-2002
Posts: 2679
Loc: North Florida (Live Oak area)
Offline |
|
I think I read that you have only had her for a couple of months and that she is a rescue?
Has she been to the vet for a fecal to rule out parasites?
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Betty Waldron ]
#339157 - 07/20/2011 02:30 PM |
Moderator
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 4 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline |
|
I think I read that you have only had her for a couple of months and that she is a rescue?
Has she been to the vet for a fecal to rule out parasites?
Ditto. Giardia?
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Betty Waldron ]
#339158 - 07/20/2011 02:32 PM |
Webboard User
![](https://leerburg.com/webboard/images/avatars/paw.png)
![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png) ![User Rating: 3 stars](images/star.png)
Reg: 05-09-2005
Posts: 1340
Loc: SE Michigan
Offline |
|
Your diet is too bone heavy IMO. Maybe try adding some additional muscle meat.
I prefer a 40-50% RMB (with about 10% of the *whole* diet being bone), 10% OM, and the rest being muscle meats. I also feed a lot of chickens as RMB, but try to add lots of variety in other areas.
Here is some more good info:
http://dogaware.com/diet/homemade.html#raw
She doesn't have gas, stomach noises, etc? Just occasional soft, light stool?
|
Top
|
Re: underweight GSD
[Re: Melissa Hoyer ]
#339165 - 07/20/2011 04:17 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-16-2011
Posts: 10
Loc:
Offline |
|
Yes, she's been to the vet and they did a fecal test and said she came out clean ... I don't know what kinds of parasites they normally check for, though. Not to sound stupid, but what is Giardia?
Melissa, thanks for the info. I'll reduce the amount of bone & add more muscle meat. No, she doesn't have any gas or stomach noises, etc. She seems perfectly healthy except that she's too skinny and her occasional soft, light poops.
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.