How do I get my 20 month old doberman to gain weight?

Question

He is fixed. We feed hm Royal Canin Large breed and he loves it. He seems to actually be losing weight even though he eats like a horse. I can't keep his dish full enough for him. He doesn't have worms.

Answer 1

Ask the vet, something else maybe wrong with him. If he's under weight and eats likes a horse.

Answer 2

Sounds like he is bored or feeling neglected when you go out. Make sure he has plenty of toys (get one of those kong ones that you stuff with treats which the dog has play with to get the treat out, it will keep him interested forever) to keep him occupied and don't make a massive issue about going out. Some pet owners make that mistake and it just makes the dog worse because it gets them pepped up into a complete frenzy. Keep it very low-key and stop turning it into such a big deal by being overly-emotional or affectionate. A simple pat on the head should be suffice. And there is no point in getting a crate if you're not going to use it. Like the first replier said, would you rather he ate somethign dangerous or was crated for a few hours? Plenty of exercise is a must too. Some dogs are destructive because they have so much energy.

Answer 3

Keep him on a large breed diet, but look for a High Energy diet to mix in with his food. make it a 50/50 split. This way he's getting all the extra nutrients and vitamins a large breed dog needs (glucosamine, chondroitin, etc.) as well as eating a higher fat, higher protein mix.

Make sure you're feeding him 2 to 3 times a day, but in smaller portions. Most dogs are fed only once a day, and are 'starving' by the time its time to eat.

Lastly, remember that he's a growing dog. Teenagers go through the same thing, and eat their parents out of house and home when they're growing...

Good luck!

Answer 4

I have a 2 1/2 year old greyhound. race rescue, very underwieght when I got him, even for a greyhound. chicken, rice, and gravy worked for me. two cups a day on top of his dry food. after he hit his target weight, slowed to 1 cup a day for a week, then once every other day, then off. No observed ill effects, and his weight is good now. Make sure you know what his body should look like though, my wife still thinks that he is under weight, but that is his breed.

Answer 5

Input has to be greater than out put to gain weight and dogs of this age a very very active. To gain weight you either have to give more food or have the dog get less exercise. Unless he is weak and not feeling well just relax about the weight the dog will gain weight when he gets older and jumps aroung less.

Answer 6

Dobermans will sometimes look like they are losing weight but really just getting taller. He will start of fill out more around 2 years of age.

Answer 7

MOST large breed foods are a lower fat product to keep the
dogs from growing too rapidly while the bones are developing..
An active youngster needs a hight protien/fat ratio to gain
weight during the rapid growth period...MORE food is NOT
the answer...more IN is more OUT...doesn't mean the dog
is benefitting from it!

Answer 8

He sounds like he is either very hyper and is just naturally burning the calories off he may just need vitamins, or he has a digestive disorder only a vet can tell what's really up.

Answer 9

umm... thats a tough one but i think go to the best pet store around and get the dog food/treats with the highest fat.... it will make them gain weight like crazy.. or feed them caltiene bars.... now those work! but i think the problem with me is that i need to lose weight.. i need his genes!

Answer 10

If he has had all his shots, get some high protein dog food and mix it with warm milk.