Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:10 pm Post subject: Does Eddie look under weight?
Hi all,
Eddie is coming up to 6 months old now but doesn't seem to be filling out, he's fed on Wainwrights and has various treats/biscuits during the day when training etc. You can see the last couple of his ribs when he's walking/stretching but they can't be seen when he's lying down etc.
If it's possible to see from the pics does he look underweight, they're not very good as he doesn't sit still long enough!
To me, yes, he does look underweight and I prefer my dogs on the lean side while they are growing up.
He is just coming to the end of that rapid growth phase, so he may look less ribby in a few months, however, I would still feel the need to try to cover those ribs a bit in the mean time.
You do get some dogs who never seem to put on a decent covering over their ribs until they hit about 2 years old, so he could just be one of those. I'd still do my best to get a little weight on him though, even if it didn't work, at least I'd know I'd tried.
He does look abit skinny, however I don't mind my pups being lean during the growth phase as its much better for the developing joints.
Also he is yet to fill out and spring out width ways - mine all went through a lanky, lean looking phase between about 4-9 months - my mum described it as a not very attractive phase (shes a non dog person so doesn't mince her words!!) My Murphy is still very slim and its just him, the problem I have with Murph is that more food doesn't equal a better covering and just gives him the runs...
What I would do with your chap is carry on feeding 3 meals a day as that may help him keep a decent covering. What are his poo's like and how often is he going? If he poo's quite alot and large amounts then it may be that the Wainwrights isn't totally agreeing and is pooing most of it out. In that case I would look for a food with a different ingredient profile.
If all is ok in the toilet department then I would give him abit more food but over three meals so it doesn't overload his digestion.
My Amber had twiggy legs at your boys age but now at almost three shes a good size!! Even my GSP at 10 months is now getting a better covering so sure your chap will get there.
Don't worry, I'd rather see a slightly too slim dog than a slightly overweight one
Gillie just doesn't put weight on. He looks similar to Eddie at 2.5. The vets are very happy with him and they can't find anything at all wrong. I'd like a little more on him but increasing his dry food over the recommended amount just gives him the runs. I have started giving him a small tin of sardines 3 times a week and so far so good with the belly! It's too soon to see any difference in his body though.
I think he does look a fraction underweight - hwoever dont panic Mr Mannering! With the working shape of a lab they do tend to be more lean - with narrow hips and waistline.
The problem I have found in a growing dog is that you need to get the balance right and I find it can be a bit of a yo-yo effect. Melvin is spot on at the moment - he is 9mths old but approx two weeks ago he was looking a little like your labby. So we have increased his food a fraction and within a week he was perfect.
In my opinion they should be lean and leggy (which makes them look gangly) but the tummy tuck is a bit pronounced in the photo and the ribs are showing a little bit too much for my liking.
Some dogs are hard to put weight on with so if you are finding your labby has always looked like this (ie pronounced) then he has always been underweight. Whereas if you are finding that sometime he is fine and then others he is just a bit under it is all part of his growth spurts.
(I didnt spot in your post how old he is so I will just check in a min and re-read your post)
I think if he were my boy I would want to give a bit extra for now. My Melvin has approx 150g twice daily but he is a perfect size and shape now. It is all about how much energy they burn up too. I tend to prefer the yo-yo effect as I really hate the idea of a dog becoming overweight so prefer to build up gradually. Whereas some people prefer their dogs to go large quicker and address any excess weight issues later.
Does he seem bright and lively and does he have normal poos?
If he has soft poos then I would suggest maybe the diet is not agreeing with him which is why he is under weight. if he has normal firm poos then I would simply up the quantity and monitor him.
(If you are considering changing diet dont go to burns as that is hard for them to gain weight with).
Heidi
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Thanks for all of the replies. He poo's twice a day usually just after morning and evening meal, they can be slightly soft at times but usually they're fine.
He's eating in the first photo but thats not too dissimilar to what he usually looks like. He's never been big, he's very lively and bright so I don't think its anything medical (hopefully)!
I'll up his food slightly and see what happens over the next week or so.
All of mine have been scrawny at that age. Infact Zephyr is still scrawny at 16 months. Its always hard to see from a photo, but putting your hands on a dog is really the best indicator if they are too thin. You want to feel some flesh under the skin but don't worry if you feel bone too.
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Some youngsters are just like that I have found. Jenson is not a lab, but was much the same up to the age of 18 months or so.
He was always fed 3 meals a day just to keep his weight stable, now I have him on simpsons lamb and potato and I have just had to reduce his quantity, he was eating as much as the flatcoats !
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All of mine have been scrawny at that age. Infact Zephyr is still scrawny at 16 months. Its always hard to see from a photo, but putting your hands on a dog is really the best indicator if they are too thin. You want to feel some flesh under the skin but don't worry if you feel bone too.
This is so important as one dog being thin, is another being fat... I would not want to be able to feel the ribs without a little pressure. From your picture it looks like the ribs can not only be seen but felt without any pressure..
I feed my pups a very high protein diet.. Not to everyone's taste but it works for me.. I like to treat my pups as I would/did my children.. Put in the best nutrition, hopefully get out the best.. Never overweight, or too light but given the best, with the least effort..
I cannot see how rice, grain or any carbohydrates apart from vegetable carbs can be good.
The food market for dogs is so wide and varied, I feel a lot more information needs providing....
High carbs as in rice and corn, turn to sugars.. How can that be good??
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