Does anyone know of a dog food that is ment for working dogs?

Question

My dog is slightly under weight all the time and the breeder says he needs to gain more weight. He always has access to food and we feed him a lot of meat. He also ges special dog vitamins. No matter what he eats though he burns it all off. Also he isn't really a chow hound when it comes to food. I'm getting worried about so I think a diet for working dogs that use a lot of energy would be good. Can someone please help.

He already gets extra fat in his food and he can't stay on puppy food because there are certain vitamins and other nutrients in adult dog food that ther isn't in puppy food. He is an Aireale terrier. A male Airedale should be from about 53-57lbs. and he weighs 48lbs. In other words not good.

The vet says he has a high matebalism and that is all no health problems that would cause this.

I need to stop adding details but I keep thinking of things. My dog also works as a service dog to my father so he pulls him in his wheel chair so yes he ha plenty of muscle mass which might be why he has a harder time keeping his weight because muscle requires more energy than fat does to keep up.

Answer 1

I volunteer at an adoption center inside of pet smart, and they (Pet Smart) carries these add-in's you can put on top there food, such as gravy's to make the food more appetizing and it can also help add on some much needed calories, also, they carry a line of products called "Mixables" and "Dog Topping" they should be right beside the gray's and they are to add or mix in with the food also to add calories and also, makes the food much taster, it's kinda like if we (as humans) had a salad and put dressing (the gray) and the topping and mixables as it would be like us sprinkeling bacon bits or other crunchy topping on. They look very appitizing, and I hear other pet owners say there dogs love them! I think Wal-mart might carry the Gravy stuff, but not sure they carry the other stuff I mentioned, but check at your local Pet Smart, for sure, and you are doing the right thing by adding extra vitamen's to his diet, also, make sure the pet food you use now, dose'nt have alot of added salt, as this suprisingley can be one of the culpret's. One of the better dog food's for active dog's, that is rich in vitamin's and is very healthy is "Science Diet" The vet I work for ( 22 years experince) highley recomend's it, for pet's, and is the only food we feed our cat's and dog's we care for, because of the health benefit's, and it is one of the few food's that does'nt carry alot of salt and additives and persevitives in it. If thing's still are'nt going as they should with your pet you can alway's call you Vet, and ask him or her for advice>
I wish you and your dog the best of luck!

Answer 2

Canidae is a great food. No by-products so your animal isn't eating things like beaks and feathers (yes that is in many pet foods). Canidae has food for all stages in a dog's life. Go online to find a dealer in your area and then go to that store and ask for a sample to see how your dog likes the food. I have yet to find a dog who doesn't love it. I would also check with the vet to see if there might be something else stopping the dog from gaining weight.

Answer 3

What about feeding him puppy food? Bil-Jac frozen is also great to put weight on a dog.Get a good ,dry puppy food and mix the Bil-Jac with it.Add an egg and a couple of spoonsful of cottage cheese everyday and the dog should put on weight.You can also add meat drippings to his food for extra fat ( hamburger grease,bacon fat-not too much,though,about a tablespoon a day.)

Answer 4

Your dog is only 5 pounds under its ideal weight range and you're listening to the breeder? You should be listening to your vet. If your vet thinks your dog is healthy, then why are you worried about his weight.

It sounds like you have a young dog. Keep in mind his metabolism will slow down as he ages and he will gain weight. Our boxer's metabolism didn't start slowing down until he was 5 years old. Up until then he was averaging 6 cups of Purina Pro Plan per day and not gaining a bit of weight.

Be patient, I'm not sure why so many people are hung-up on their dog's weight.

Answer 5

Canidae All Life Stages.. Says right on the bag.. Puppies, Adults, Working and Seniors.

Answer 6

Well, if you have two dogs, you will want Canidae because it comes in an All Lifestages Formula. But try a sample of both if possible and see which one your dog does better on.

Answer 7

my friend ownes a pet shop and we have looked at most of the dog foods and contacted different companies and been to many seminars on this subject. out of all the test this brand ranks #1 in animal health.http://www.nutroproducts.com/ nutro brand has less corn meal or filler than other dog food. it actually reduces the amount of waste that your dog produces (less work for you), the reason is it has more digestible nutrients than filler(corn meal). the more protein ,good fat, and vitamins your dog gets the more lean muscle mass he will put on. good luck

Answer 8

I agree with DP. We feed Canidae All Life Stages to our (8) dogs, two of which are "working" border collies. They are at & stay at a healthy weight on this product.

Answer 9

How thin is thin? We have performance dogs and keep them thin. You can feel ribs(similar to feeling the back of your hand) and hip bones, which is good. You can look into ways of adding fat, such as adding oil to his food. Our dogs get a heaping tablespoon of yogurt in the evening which adds calories and fat.

Answer 10

If you live in the UK try going to Mole valley and getting Dr Mole for Working Dogs. It's £6.49 for a 15kg bag and does our lab the world of good.

it was recommended to us as he has an extremely sensitive stomach and this suits him fine.