My malinois is skinny. She is just turning 8 months old and people have been commenting alot lately that she is thin. I have had all the tests run to make sure it isn't a health issue or parasite. I think it's just diet combined with her crazy activity level. In addition, she isn't all that interested in food. I was feeding raw, then I switched to kibble to bulk her up. Now, I mix canned food in with kibble to try and add some weight. Any suggestions on a good kibble for weight gain or perhaps a supplement. Obviously the foods I have tried haven't been the best for her....Thanks!!!

How much raw were you feeding? What percentage of her body weight?
I'd be shocked if kibble/canned food put weight on her when raw wouldn't...speaking from experience here.

Are there any other symptoms aside from her "skinny-ness"?

She is about 40lbs and I was feeding 2 lbs per day. It was about 5% of her body weight....

I was feeding pre-packaged raw food though...Should I make it myself and if so, what would be the best recipe to help her put some pounds on. And no other symptoms...she just looks thin...

What kind of pre-packaged raw? I'd be curious as to what is in it.

With my own dogs, I just adjust up or down depending on their weights. I have found that my younger GSD eats 2.5% of her body weight, while my older GSD eats just slightly under that. I vary it as necessary.

I'll bet a growing Mali needs close to 10% of her body weight or 3-4% of her anticipated adult weight...but that is just a guess. Perhaps someone who has a Mal can "weigh" (haha!) in.

Have you read this?
http://leerburg.com/feedingarawdiet.htm

Also good links:

http://www.rawdogranch.com
http://www.dogaware.com

 Quote: Meagan Karnes

I was feeding pre-packaged raw food though...Should I make it myself and if so, what would be the best recipe to help her put some pounds on. And no other symptoms...she just looks thin...

Adults:
http://www.leerburg.com/diet2.htm


Pups:
http://leerburg.com/feedpups.htm

 Quote: Meagan Karnes

She is about 40lbs and I was feeding 2 lbs per day. It was about 5% of her body weight....

I don't have a mali but...

I am a raw feeder and my dog is 42 lbs (adult) and I feed 2 lbs of raw a day.

When he was a pup he needed more, up to 3 lbs. Especially in the winter (our on season).

One thing that I noticed with the pre made raw is that they can be filled up with a lot of veggies. Often 25% is veg, wich means you might as well only be feeding 1.5 lbs a day IMHO. When I switched to feeding A LOT less veg, or none for a while, and still feeding 2 lbs his weight went up a bit. For a while I was feeding 1.5 lbs a day and my raw feeding vet said to double it, so I feed 3 lbs a day for a while until his growing slowed a little.

Also, many pre made products can contain a lot of bone. (Example a turkey product may be made of ground wings and necks, no whole turkeys). Too much bone can leave not enough room for meat and other nutirients. remember you are trying to replicate WHOLE prey.

IF you feed more volume, ensure the pre-mades are not full of veggie and over stuffed with bone, you may find your dog will gain weight.

I must add that my dog was ALWAYS hungry so it was easy for me to just feed more. I am unsure if your mali just won't eat more or if you are just hesitant to feed more.


I included a fair bit of tripe as well.

Awesome. Thanks for the advice. I have a good plan of attack. I will keep you posted.