My neighbors have a male (not neutered) almost 2 yr smooth mini doxie. I take care of him on occasion. He is very thin. All his ribs and vertebrae (sp) show. He eats kibble, doesn't like treats unless it is chicken or cheese which I don't like to give him. The owners say he is fine and doesn't eat much...but the amount of kibble he is eating should make him a more "normal" weight. Can anyone give me some insight.
2007-05-29 09:18:55 · 7 answers · asked by mpbennett 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He may just have a high metabolism. I have a miniatue dachshund that is one year eight months, he looks like we starve him and the vet says he is healthy and just has high metabolism. He eats twice a day and I feed him a little more than he is suppose to get but it doesn't get him any heavier. They may have the same problem. Anyway with this breed it is better for their spines for them to be a little underweight than overweight. It also takes males a little longer to fully mature and fill out.
2007-05-29 09:43:00 · answer #1 · answered by Shepherdgirl § 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our long hair spayed mini female 1-1/2 years old is a stout little girl who ways about 13 lbs. with lots of muscle and no fat. I don't think doxies are supposed to be skin an bones typically. Has it been checked for heart worms or other parasites?
2007-05-29 09:26:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes unneutered males tend to be thin. He could also have heartworms or intestinal parasites which could make him thin. Some dogs are naturally picky eaters with high metabolisms. As long as the vet has given him a clean bill of health, I wouldn't worry too much if he is happy and active.
2007-05-29 09:26:47 · answer #3 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be worms. but generally they get a fat belly but in some cases they get skinny.... The chicken is great to feed them better then Dog food but not the cheese espically if it does have worms... it not being your dog, i would tell the neighbor you feel he needs to be checked by a vet Good Luck
2007-05-29 09:24:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog use to be thin, but after she jumped over the fence, I decided to feed her a few table scraps, she got fat after a while, so I'm putting her on a diet now and stoped feeding her table scraps.
Anyway try feeding your dog a few table scraps, such as left over ham, it should gain weight sooner or later.
2007-05-29 09:32:09 · answer #5 · answered by Joe Steel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He might be sick. I would recommend suggesting to his family that they really need to take him to the vet. Good luck and I hope everything gets resolved.
2007-05-29 09:26:47 · answer #6 · answered by squishie bug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he should have his teeth examined by a vet. if his teeth are rotten or if he has cavities it could be painful for him to eat.
2007-05-29 09:32:02 · answer #7 · answered by deidrevining 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋