She's a 3yr old chihuahua. She is 8lbs but she is a little taller than normal because she's a mix.. She is really skinny! I got her from a shelter and she is in good condition except for her weight.. I dont care if i have to buy her whole chickens, cows, whatever! i just want my little dog to be ok and healthy.. i already have the dry food but I dont think its enough she has trouble chewing it...Can you give me a diet for my dog? thank you!!!
2007-12-15 05:10:11 · 10 answers · asked by Yo 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I would recommend that you buy canned and wet food and it should help a little, but don't give her too much or you will over feed her and she could have bigger problems. Just start with the wet food and then feed her 2 or 3 times a day and she will slowly gain weight.
2007-12-15 05:14:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In fairness, you will want to talk with your vet if you want to put her on a diet, but if you want some tips on helping her to gain weight (our little one was 15 lbs underweight when we rescued her), make sure you are giving her food that is high in protein, and also use some canned food. Once she reaches an appropriate weight, put her on a more regulated diet. We were "bad parents" and gave her some table scraps-- leftovers (sandwiches, etc), sugar cookies, and dog treats, and the pounds started to gain within a month. While that isn't the "healthy" thing to do, it did help her gain the 15 crucial pounds within a month. There are some great foods that are by-product and filler free available. I know our little one eats Nutro (available at most pet supplies stores), and it's helped her put on healthy weight, and she is very healthy. Just make sure meat is the first ingredient, and avoid corn at all costs in her food.
Best of luck! :)
2007-12-15 05:20:34 · answer #2 · answered by Sparkley Star 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Regular meals should put her at a good weight. Try soaking the food in a little bit of water to make it softer for her to chew.
I recommend you feed her a high quality dry food. Some brands I recommend are Canidae, Wellness, Solid Gold, Innova, EVO, Timberwolf Organics, Orijen, Life's Abundance, Flint River Ranch, Fromm, Artemis, Merrick, etc.
Try to stay away from dog food you can find at grocery stores/Wal-Mart/etc. This includes, but certainly isn't limited to, Eukanuba, Iams, Pedigree, Kibbles n Bits, Purina, Science Diet, Ol' Roy, etc. These foods contain tons of cheap fillers and by-products. They're known to cause allergies, dry skin, lots of itching, etc. in dogs. It's basically everything you don't want your dog to eat.
Some dogs are naturally skinny. If your vet thinks she's perfectly healthy, it's not extremely necessary to put some more weight on her, but it certainly won't harm her if she's skinny.
2007-12-15 05:23:39 · answer #3 · answered by liveyourlife 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is ony 3 years old and having trouble chewing her food my first suggestion is take her to teh vets and have an oral exam this sounds like a tooth or gum problem. I had a chihuahua that was 14 and lost all but one tooth and still ate dry food and knwed on dog biscuits.
2007-12-15 05:45:06 · answer #4 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a product that you can get from pet supply store or your vet. It is called Nutracal. Dogs love the taste and it is high calorie without bulk. It is full of nutrients.
It is made specifically for underweight dogs.
Also, the puppy food suggestion is good for a time. Check with the vet to see how long an adult dog can use it.
2007-12-15 05:24:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get her puppy food...it will give her the nutrients she needs and proteins...thats what i done with my dog when she got really skinny once and she is very healthy now...and most puppy food is more chewy and softer...so try that! hope i helped! BTW thank you for adopting form an animal shelter instead of a pet store/ breeder! you gave a dog another chance at life!
2007-12-15 05:16:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first find out from the vet if shes not the rite weight she may be just fine.a food high in protein will keep her at a healthy weight.try adding some water or plain low fat yogurt to her food 10 min before u give it to her it will soften it up.
2007-12-15 05:16:06 · answer #7 · answered by renee k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one food makes a dog gain or lose weight. Too many calories/not enough exercise makes a dog gain weight. Not enough calories/plenty of exercise makes a dog loose weight. There is no one particular food. Too much human food can contribute to weight gain, but my dogs get human food and if anything is a pound or two underweight. That's just because he is excercised a lot.
2016-04-09 04:57:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
8 lbs is perfect for a chihuahua. 3 years old, she is probably very active. It is easier to put on than to take off. Try a puppy food hi-protein. keep her exercising
2007-12-15 05:21:17 · answer #9 · answered by Karen B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What makes you think she is underweight? Have you checked with your vet? Our vet says that we should be able to feel our beagle's rib easily when we run our hands over her.
2007-12-15 05:25:21 · answer #10 · answered by stamp81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋