My sister works at a golf course and she saw someone drop off an extremely skinny German Shephard. She called me about him and I am going to try to catch him today. How can I help him safely gain weight? What should I do with him? I already have 4 dogs so I will not be able to keep him.
2007-06-19 03:54:37 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Worm him and take him to a shelter. But do take the time to worm him and give him a good meal. You might be the only person who will do that for him.
2007-06-19 04:08:13 · answer #1 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you already have 4 dogs call you local animal shelter to come and get him.
If you decide to catch him on your own be very cautious. You will never really know the real reason as to why a dog has been dropped off. Until it is caught! It could be a female and could be pregnant. It could be unsocialized and can be aggressive. It could be really sick! Taking a sick dog home could make your 4 dogs sick if they are not UTD with their shots and even then could still give them something else that their shots didn't cover. It could be starved and malnutritioned. If that is the case I wouldn't feed it with your dogs do to the fact that it may have food aggression because it has had to fight for all it's food in the past. And it could be really friendly but like I said be cautious approaching the dog because you never know what personality or diseases the dog may have. I wouldn't do it. I would call my local animal shelter.
After saying that. If you do decide to try to catch the dog. Don't do it alone. Wear protective clothing like denim pants and coat. Have a lead rope handy just incase it has a collar and if it don't have a slip knot leash handy too. Also make sure you have a cage big enough to put the dog into for traveling. After catching the dog take him straight to the vet or animal shelter to be evaluated before even taking him home to try to put some weight on him. SInce you said you already have 4 dogs and don't really want another one you can foster the dog back to health and work with your local animal shelter to find it the appropriate home for it. Most animal shelters love foster parents because it is one less dog they have to care for. For food I would feed it puppy food till it gets closer to it's ideal weight and your vet can tell you what that exactly is. Like I said before I would feed it in a area away from your other dogs. Especially if your dogs are a lot smaller than it. Just be cautious and patient. Never force yourself onto the dog after you bring it home. Also if you do decide to fully rehabilitate this dog you can ask your local animal shelter about their obediance classes and doggie therapy. If you foster this dog through their program most services, classes and therapies are free of charge. I wish you the best of luck and be careful!!!
2007-06-19 11:25:36 · answer #2 · answered by Leslie S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are a great person! You might have a German Shepherd rescue group in your area that you could contact. If not, try the local no-kill shelters. Shepherds are popular for adoptions. In the meantime, mix some puppy food with the adult food you feed him-it's formulated for weight gain and has extra nutrients in it. In addition, there are food additives you can buy to put on the food. I would also suggest something to boost his immune system, which has probably been compromised if he is that skinny. Lastly, you could try feeding him three times a day instead of once or twice. Read the food measurements on the dog food bag and add about 20%. Good luck with your endeavor! We need more people like you!
2007-06-19 21:53:23 · answer #3 · answered by anne b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would speak to a vet, as getting an animal to gain weight after they have been starved can cause problems. If you give too much food to quickly it can be a shock to their system, and they can die.
Also if you are not going to keep this dog, maybe you should let a local rescue group deal with it. They may even catch it for you. The reason I say that is that it may have diseases or otherwise cause damage to your dogs, or you.
It's really sad that people do this, this dog has probably been abused, and now just dumped.
2007-06-19 11:07:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aw, that's terrible! Well, when you go to catch him take a collar, food, etc. and some bread. it's very filling and it helps them put on weight. I would take it to animal control or a no kill shelter, or keep it isolated from your own dogs at first since it may be sick or have a bad case of worms - that could explain why it's skinny and someone just dumped it. You wouldn't want to expose your own pets to an illness.
It's nice that you are willing to help an animal in need. Good luck finding him!
2007-06-19 11:06:00 · answer #5 · answered by Sandy Sandals 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring him to a rescue center, they will nurse him back to health and then give him to a loving and caring family who will give him the attention and love he needs. This is one of the awful things that people do and they just don't realize how awful it is. But definitely call a rescue center as soon as you get him, and before you drop him off, if he seems really starving, give him some food. That is the best thing you can do for him. Good luck.
2007-06-19 11:03:37 · answer #6 · answered by Puppy Lover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand you are probably trying to get him a bit healthier before sending him to a rescue?
You can start by offering him a bland diet of browned hamburger and white rice for a few days - 3 parts rice to one part burger - rinse the burger with hot water before mixing with the rice - give him about 2 Cups in the morning and 1 at supper - after 3 days, put him on regular food.
Remember to be cautious, as he might be afraid and dogs that are scared can be in "fight or flight" mode
2007-06-19 11:03:53 · answer #7 · answered by mnhuskyluv 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Call the ASPCA and have your sister talk to them to they, with the cops, should be able to catch the owners and fix the poor dog that got ditched and then you wont have to worry about him. I would do it ASAP cause the soon the better!
People who leave animal like that and don't feed them should be held accountable!
Oh and be VERY careful around him cause he has been mistreated and could turn mean....
Good luck and God bless you for you kindness towards one of God creatures!
2007-06-19 11:05:39 · answer #8 · answered by knight_janette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to contact either a vet, humane society or something along that line. You do not know where this dog has been or what it may have. It needs to be medically checked and nursed back to health by either a vet or a vets advice.
2007-06-19 11:03:16 · answer #9 · answered by ATLgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well irst ONLY give him about a cup of food when
you first catch him but then make sure you call
a no-kill animal shelter to take him.
2007-06-19 11:24:05 · answer #10 · answered by *Open.Your.Eyes* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋