How can I get my wolfdog to gain weight?

Question

I have a 17 month old wolfdog that won't gain weight. He eats just fine, and I don't limit him, but he doesn't gain. The vet thought he was far to thin, but didn't give me any suggestions, due to the fact that he has always been that way. He's active & healthy, just very thin under all that fur! Any suggestions?

FYI, I feed my dogs Canidae Life-Stages Holistic Kibble.

Wolfdog, meaning 75% mexican grey wolf, 25% malamute.

Answer 1

I knew someone with a wolfdog...it would only eat what was left when the family was finished...so they had to put the food on the table pretend to eat then give him the remainder...he may be eating the bare minimum for life, because he doesn't want to take from the pack...feed him more...if he doesn't want it...try that trick.

Answer 2

Ask your vet if a blood test for thyroid function is in order. A dog that eats well but doesn't gain weight is a standard symptom.

Q: By wolfdog, do you mean a wolf hybrid or are you British and mean a German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian Wolf Dog)? It doesn't matter, just curious.

Answer 3

Personally, I'd rather have an underweight dog than an overweight one, (less heath issues) but this recipe is for dogs who desperately need calories and need to put on weight.

1 lb cheap hamburger (for high fat %) - RAW!!
1 1/3 cups Total cereal
1 1/2 cups uncooked oatmeal
1 raw egg (shell included)
6 Tablespoons wheat germ
1 package Knox unflavored gelatin
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons unsulphered molasses
Pinch of salt

It sounds gross, but dogs love it

Answer 4

Hello, I used to have the same concern about my German Shepperd about the same age. I asked the vet about it and he told me that he was fine and not to worry about it. He said that in fact he was only two pounds under what he would like to see him at and he said that allot of people have over weight dogs and they think that is how the breed is supposed to look. I also take him to a training club where we do personnel protection training and French ring training. They think a dog should be thinner than most. It's healthy for their hips especially in German Shepperd's. Anywho Wolfs don't eat kibble that has been cooked at 550 degrees into a pellet sized piece of turd. Your wolf doesn't like it. There are plenty of studies on how unhealthy kibble and canned food is. There is diets where you feed your dog raw food raw chicken back bones and stuff. If you don't like to deal with bones there is a diet that is called the barf diet where they dehydrate the raw stuff for you and you just add water and mix it up. It's all natural. Go to site below for more info. Good luck. Skinny is not always bad.

Answer 5

put him on green tripe, the xcaliber is the best, stinks, and must be frozen, I get the 2 1/2 lb. size, but even though this stuff is really stinky, I feed three chubs a day to bulk up my dog before a show, it really works, I am telling you, it does, I promise. The canned stuff they sell on the shelves is garbage, don't bother with that. This is the only place, they ship only on certain days, but this stuff is the best. It is not recommended for puppies or pregnant dogs, fyi..
www.greentripe.com
By the way, I think Innova EVO would be way better than canidae anyday... or eaglepack orange bag www.eaglepack.com

Answer 6

Gain muscle. Work out. Run, lift weights, all of that good stuff. Muscle weight more then fat, so that's a perfect way to gain weight without fat. (:

Answer 7

I don't know if that is a wet food or not but you can try mixing wet food and dry food together. or you can go to specialized pet stores and get "prescription" dog food which can specialize in many things, one of them being weight gain.

Answer 8

T-BONE