My husbands boss gave us a at least 6 year old boxer who was a yard dog at a lumber yard he was going to take her to have her put down and my husband offered to take her. According to his boss she had a gastrointestinal problem and the vet gave her a year to live, his boss gave her the medication and took her back and they said the dog would be fine since it was treated. When we got the dog she was very skinny and I have had her a year and she still has not gained hardly any weight. Her bones poke out and she just looks so miserable. Here in the last year I have had neighbors calling and complaining to animal control that I am not feeding my dog and I am neglecting her. I would never do that, I have tried to get her to gain weight and nothing is working. She eats so fast she throws her food up, usually foam. She is a playful dog and very loving I would hate to have her taken away due to people thinking she is being neglected and not fed. Any answers would be greatly appreciated.
2006-09-19 10:45:59 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Check with your vet first, of course, but it sounds like your dog has two things:
1) A food intolerance (to certain ingredients, usually grains)
2) A poor digestive system
To address #1, look at a more natural, holistic diet, that does not have wheat, corn, or soy. Look for something with high amounts of protein, fat, and fatty acids (omega 3 and 6). Because the dog is older, you're going to probably want to include Glucosamine for their joints, so look for a food with that as well.
For #2, you're going to need to make things easy on your dog's stomach. With traditional Kibble foods, your dog's stomach needs to sort out the trash from the treasure. There are a lot of unneccesary grains and fillers in most dog foods, which don't really provide a lot of nutrition.
I personally feed a raw meat diet (I'll provide some links to good foods below). It is the most natural, bio-available thing you can feed a dog, because it would be what they eat in the wild. Good Diets are 65%+ meat, and 35% (or less) fruits and vegetables. No wheat, corn, soy, grains, or fillers.
Dogs have a different digestive system than us, so they can eat raw meat without any problems. Most good raw food companies flash-freeze the meat, so bacteria stops growing.
It's not for everyone, but do some research, ask your vet, and make your own decision. I'll also include some links for higher-nutirition dry and canned foods too...
Raw Foods:
http://www.primalpetfoods.com
http://www.naturesvariety.com
http://www.stevesrealfood.com
High Quality Pet Foods:
http://www.naturesvariety.com
http://www.canidae.com
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com
Good Luck!
2006-09-19 11:07:53 · answer #1 · answered by Bub 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you taken her to the vet? Perhaps she has a problem digesting her food properly and therefor, she is eating but not gaining because the nutrients are going right through her and not being absorbed. If that is the case there is medication for her the doctor can prescribe. She could have worms or any number of things that prevents weight from staying on her body. Be a responsible pet owner and take her to the vet or to a shelter. She is suffering, she cannot tell you but she is certainly suffering. If you cannot care for her, give her to a shelter that can. This is not just a matter of what to feed her. She has something medically wrong with her that needs immediate attention. You would get some for yourself if your bones were poking out wouldn't you? Do it! Today! Or give her to somewhere that will help. Thank you.
2006-09-19 10:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by yowhatsup2day 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When was the last time you took her to the vet and had her tested? Does she have soft stool? She could have worms or something else that can be keeping her from gaining weight. Take her to the vet and see what they find.
Also if she is eating her food too fast, try feeding her a 1/2 cup every half hour or so (if you have the time).
I work at a kennel and we had a dog who was super skinny and he ate a lot and wasnt gaining any weight. When she was tested we found out she had bad worms and had heartworm and there was nothing we could do to get him to gain weight until he was treated.
So, get her to the vet and they should be able to figure out what is wrong.
2006-09-19 10:57:38 · answer #3 · answered by Jess 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What are you feeding your dog? Just cause you're feeding it a lot of food does NOT mean that your dog is absorbing it. It could be eating all that food and just pooping it out. Also canned food will give your dog runny stool and consists mostly of water. Exercise will help your dog gain weight- muscle weighs more than fat, also depending on its breed it may not gain weight... If you're really worried contact a vet and ask about food, potential vitamins your dog may need, and proper exercise to help increase weight.
2016-03-17 23:02:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
boxers usually gain weight as years go on. take her to the vet, and the vet will recomend a kind of food for it to eat. just feed it regular amount. do not, DO NOT overfeed, too much at once will make a dog sick(it seems boxers dont know when to stop). over time, he will probably gain a little more weight. there is also this powder that you can sprinkle on its food as like a supplement. hopefully, this helped you, unlike some of the smart a$s answers other people gave you
p.s, to the answer above mine, BOXERS NEED EXCERCISE TO GROW. do not keep it inside all the time
2006-09-19 10:58:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I currently own a boxer and have owned one in the past (they're wonderful aren't they?) Ours had the opposite problem... And has sinse lost the excess weight. If you want to "fatten her up" so to speak I personally think the best thing for it is feed her meats and full fat milk...plenty of purpose made dog treats (try to avoid full fat mince though as this contains lots of salt) I find chocolate drops are a boxer favourite. I'm well aware they love to play as well... mine has always got a hoop in his mouth... anyway, try and avoid human chocolates and stuff like that. Stick with petshop treats. I hope this helps at least a little.
2006-09-19 10:52:53 · answer #6 · answered by Rich W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you do feed her, feed her small amounts at a time.
Feed her a lot but give her a handful once, wait until she eats it.
After she eats it, give her another helping.
Do this until she is full.
Also, try a weight gaining dog food. Iams has it.
Or feed her carbs.
2006-09-19 10:50:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ask your vet first.
Try table scraps. My dog gained lots of wheight from that. feed the dog hamburger. They get fat off of that. My other dog got bladder stones and had to be put down from eating table greens, so be careful, but mine really likes meat, and if you happen to have steaks, well of course dogs love steak scraps.
2006-09-19 10:50:28 · answer #8 · answered by stick man 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Feed her small amounts several times a day. Usually a small amount will not be thrown up. Add table scraps and pour bacon grease on her food, but the key to keeping it down is a little at the time and often.
2006-09-19 10:50:22 · answer #9 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to your vet.
Your dog may have heartworms, parasites or other contributing factors to her intestinal problems.
Your vet is the only suitable person able to give you a diagnosis and prescription of what to do in the long run.
2006-09-19 10:47:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋