 The Short Answer is: |
Besides the fact that your puppy could be skinny or lose weight because of its breed, there are other factors. For instance, they may be fussy eaters. You may have been overfeeding them with treats during the day. As a result, they only consume large amounts of food if they enjoy it. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “My Puppy Is Skinny But Eats“.
If your puppy is skinny despite eating a lot there can be many reasons for this. One possibility is that he is a breed variation. The bodies of some breeds are naturally slender and have low body fat levels. In other breeds however it may mean the dog has an underlying body condition or he burns more calories than he consumes.
As long as your puppy does not look too skinny or his ribs are not visible you should not be too concerned. Here is a quick guide to determine if your puppy is too skinny or needs to be examined by a veterinarian ASAP if you cannot tell if he is too skinny at his age breed and sex.
Signs that your puppy is too skinny
It is easy for you to do a quick body check on your puppy but there are a few signs that could help you determine whether he is skinny or not.
You can tell if he is underweight if you can see his ribs or if you can see an extreme curve between his ribs and hips. You can also see his spine and rib bones.
However if you’re planning on doing a body check check to see if his bones are covered in fat or if they’re not covered at all. Then your puppy is too thin if you also feel bones protruding near the base of his tail.
Reasons why puppies are skinny whilst eating well
Besides the fact that your puppy could be skinny or lose weight because of its breed there are other factors. For instance they may be fussy eaters. You may have been overfeeding them with treats during the day. As a result they only consume large amounts of food if they enjoy it.
Separation anxiety could also be causing your dog to avoid eating when you are not around. Its adorable but you need specialists who specialize in anxiety or trainers who can help fix this so the dog will eat when you are not around.
In addition there is a possibility that your little pup might get stressed when he or she is around other dogs or people. It is likely that he is confused or scared making it difficult for him to eat in peace and not finish his meal.
It could be intestinal parasites – particularly roundworms or hookworms – that are causing your pets weight loss. If his appetite isnot the problem and hes getting nutritious food then it could be intestinal parasites. Your little pup is likely to be infected with roundworms one of the most common intestinal parasites.
Although some dogs do not show symptoms if you see roundworms in his poop or vomit which are usually light brown or white and a few inches long then he may be infected. The infection may have come from their mother the environment or from eating an infected host.
Its also possible that your pet is suffering from inflammatory bowel disease a bacterial infection or a metabolic disorder. It is also possible that your puppy cannot handle certain foods that cause diarrhea. In order to determine if your pet has a parasite or a disease you may need to take him to the veterinarian. In order to treat the problem quickly it is better to find out sooner rather than later.
After numerous tests if your vet has ruled out these possibilities then your dog might not have been getting enough calories or may have been malnourished. Even if your puppy eats a lot if he is not getting enough nutrients he can develop health problems. Nutrition diet and the amount of food necessary for their growth must be provided for them.
Ways to get a skinny puppy to gain weight
Its not a good idea to increase your puppys caloric intake just for the sake of it. Having a conversation with your veterinarian will help you determine your dogs ideal weight what type of food he can eat a proper diet routine and how much he needs to eat. These are very important things to know because you might overfeed your pup. Although chubby puppies are cute they might cause more health problems for your puppy.
Alternatively you can ask your veterinarian to check whether your dog is suffering from a disease. You may ask for vaccination deworming and other health checks to make sure your puppy gets the proper treatment before it gets worse.
Having a nice place for your pup to roam exercise and do his dog stuff is important as well. Besides building their muscles it gives them the energy they need to eat and stimulates their appetite. Take your dog for a walk outside or make some space in your house. You should wait until 10-14 days after your dogs last vaccination booster before taking him outside. You do not want him to contract a virus from the outside.
Monitoring your pets eating habits is another thing you can do. Its not unusual for some dogs to become stressed around other pets and not like to eat. It may be necessary to feed them in a separate area away from other dogs or they may require extra encouragement.
Finally some dogs need multiple small meals rather than one large meal. In addition you need to examine how you feed your dog.
Ways to feed a skinny puppy
As long as you follow your veterinarians recommendations you can increase the amount of food on his plate if there are no underlying health problems. Ensure he gets the nutrition he needs by following the feeding schedule and nutritional plan prescribed by your vet.
Overfeeding can have serious consequences for your dog so take care not to overfeed him. You can give him 3-4 small meals throughout the day.
It is also possible to give smaller meals in the morning and larger meals at night. His body will then store fat rather than burn energy while he sleeps.
Food quality is another thing that needs to be improved. In order for him to gain weight and develop his growth you must find and purchase commercial foods that are moderately high in calories and protein.
Rather than corn or wheat choose foods that contain meat protein as their main ingredient. On the other hand be careful not to add too many calories and too quickly as this may cause digestive issues.
Fiber balance is also crucial when it comes to gut health and stool quality. To know what to buy check the nutritional chart at the back of the package.
You can give your little pup healthy treats such as carrots and sweet potatoes if it asks for treats. A dog treat made from all-natural peanut butter is also a good alternative.
You can mix canned food or human food into their food for picky eaters but be careful as some human foods are not appropriate for dogs such as chocolate onions raw meat eggs and bones. To make his meal tastier you can add canned tuna beef broth or canned pumpkin to their food instead. Adding hot water to their dried food might make it easier for them to eat.
It may also be tempting to give your little pup supplements but you should consult your veterinarian before giving them.
Finally make sure they have plenty of water since water is just as important as food.
Breeds of dogs with skinny puppies
Few breeds are skinny and healthy at the same time as I mentioned earlier. It is normal for these breeds to be skinny so do not worry if your little pup belongs to one of them. The following dog breeds tend to produce skinny puppies the most:
- Italian Greyhound
- Whippet
- Afghan Hound
- Saluki
- Greyhound
- Kanni
- Sloughi
- Ibizan Hound
- Pharaoh Hound
- Azawakh
Conclusion
Its important to remember that young dogs go through growth spurts and may take a little longer to grow in their bodies.
It is ultimately important for your little pup to have a proper diet exercise and to be loved and cared for by his owners.
Additionally you should monitor his progress and food intake to determine whether your efforts are working or if something needs to be changed.
Lastly a qualified veterinarian is the best place to get an idea of whats wrong with your puppy. Changes to their food feeding schedule and many other things should be discussed with them.
You can find out which program is the best and the safest for your dog from them.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
