Is it difficult for your dog to gain some pounds? An underweight dog is just as unhealthy as an obese dog. To achieve the right weight, your canine must be able to maintain a good balance between exercise and diet.
Here are some tips from a Dubai pet food company on how you can help your skinny dog put on some healthy weight.
1. Create a new feeding schedule
Compared to humans, dogs metabolize and process their food differently. For the weight-gaining method to be effective, you need to feed your dog small meals frequently. Splitting your canine’s daily amount of food over three or four meals will give him the necessary nutrients throughout the day.
However, if you’re feeding twice a day, consider giving your pup a smaller portion of food in the morning then a larger portion in the evening. Feeding a large portion of food at night will cause your dog’s body to store fat while sleeping. This method also makes sure that your pup doesn’t burn too many calories while exercising during the day.
2. Give high-protein or high-fat food
Growing puppies need to eat food with high protein and fat. These nutrients help spur the growth and development of young dogs to advance into adulthood. Continuously giving your canine higher-protein and higher-fat food will help your pet gain his needed weight over time.
Within a few weeks, you’ll start to notice your dog’s increasing weight. If you’re switching meat proteins to give your dog more nutrients, mix only a small amount of the new food with your canine’s old diet to avoid stomach upset.
Here’s the formula:
- Begin by mixing 10% of the new food and 90% of the old food.
- Increase the amount of new food you add every day until you reach 100%.
When switching dog foods, it may take up to 10-14 days until your dog can adjust to his meal completely. An upset stomach for a few weeks is normal, but do consult your vet for any concerns.
High-fat treats
Adding extra calories to treats isn’t a bad thing, especially if you want your dog to gain weight. Giving your pup high-fat treats all through the day and before he sleeps may do the trick.
All-natural peanut butter isn’t only a healthier option than many dog treats, but can also help your canine gain fat quickly. When you give peanut butter, also try to give a healthy treat like a piece of vegetable with it. Carrots go well with peanut butter as they’re low-acidity and low-sugar, which reduces the risk of stomach upset.
Remember to avoid feeding high-acidity foods, like some fruits, paired with peanut butter as this may cause stomach issues. Make sure to buy only an all-natural peanut butter that is free of added salt, sugar, or xylitol.
3. Provide more exercise
Exercise shouldn’t be only associated with losing weight. In fact, a large portion of a dog’s weight should be made up of muscle. Exercising your canine pal regularly is the best way to help him maintain his weight.
For fun exercises, you can add in some dog toys to the routine. Pair regular exercises with a high-protein and high-fat diet, and your dog will gain some pounds in no time.
4. Talk to your vet
If you’re still experiencing difficulties putting weight on your dog, you should seek professional help from your vet. The veterinarian knows best as they are able to check your dog’s condition and guide you on how to either maintain his weight or improve it.
For a canine who’s severely underweight, the vet will tell you what an ideal weight should be and give necessary instructions for your dog to gain pounds. They may even recommend particular brands of dog food and supplements.
For a pet owner, it isn’t easy to look at a dog bearing skin and bones. It’s frustrating to still see a skinny pup despite all your efforts of helping him increase weight. But for your furry friend to gain some weight, there must be a team effort between you, your dog, and your vet.
AUTHOR BIO
Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.
