Too skinny? How to tell? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Carmeow · 05-13-2012, 09:41 PM

Luma is four months old. She was 3.5lbs when we got her at 11 weeks. Her sire and dam are both 7lbs. She is still 3.5 lbs at 19 weeks...she has gotten sooo big, height and length wise. But she is so skinny

I never really noticed until now, she got shaved a couple days ago. Is it normal to see all her ribs, and see her spine? I feel around her haunches and there is no fat to grab, just skin.

She was on chicken soup for the puppy lovers soul when we brought her home. We recently switched her to TOTW. She likes this food more it seems. She eats just under a cup of food per day. We give half in the morning, then the rest in the evening. Sometimes she leaves it in the bowl and I have to throw it out.

Shouldn't she have gained weight? She seems like shes tripled in size since we brought her home..but shes skinny as a twig!

chachi · 05-13-2012, 09:52 PM

As long as she is gaining weight she is fine just keep an eye on her

capt_noonie · 05-13-2012, 09:59 PM

Every pup is different. Uni didn't gain weight until she was almost 2 years old. Now she's about 6 lbs and tall as a supermodel. She went through a picky "I'm too good for that food" phase too. It was really frustrating. After she was spayed, she developed a normal healthy appetite. Best decision I ever made.

capt_noonie · 05-13-2012, 10:01 PM

Oh BTW when you look at your pup from the top, there should be a def "waist" otherwise they are overweight. Most people think their pups are underweight when in reality they are perfect. If the waist goes straight or "out" they are fattys LOL

GeorgiesMomma · 05-14-2012, 04:13 AM

Luma looks perfectly fine to me. I know what you mean once they get shaved you realize just how thin their little bodies are. It's the same way with Georgie. As long as she is eating she will be fine.

Lilymo · 05-14-2012, 04:33 AM

Did you use the same scales to weigh her? Sometimes scales are calibrated diffrently. I would have expected some weight gain in 8 weeks.

chachi · 05-14-2012, 04:45 AM

I think she should have gained some weight in 8 wks. I read your post wrong earlier

Taryn0405 · 05-14-2012, 05:05 AM

I was worried about Gizmo's weight too, so when he went for some of vaccines I asked the vet. Her words to me were that he was slightly underweight, and if he was to get sick, there wouldn't be much there to sustain him. So, with vet approval, trying to put a little more weight on Gizmo which has been working.

My suggestion is if you plan on seeing your vet anytime soon, just ask him/her and see what they say.

kjc · 05-14-2012, 06:30 AM

Check the recalls thread... I believe TOTW is on it. Here's a chart to help determine if she's too thin (a similar chart is in all the exam rooms at my vets):

Purina.Com | Dog | Caring | Understanding your Dog's Body Condition

DBlain · 05-14-2012, 09:15 AM

what kind of food is TOTW? I would also check with the vet, not to gain any weight in that amount of time could be a little odd

kjc · 05-14-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBlain

what kind of food is TOTW? I would also check with the vet, not to gain any weight in that amount of time could be a little odd

Taste of the Wild...

sophias mommy · 05-14-2012, 10:42 AM

I agree with asking your vet the next time Luma takes a trip there.

I know Sophia went from 3.2 pounds at 9 weeks to 6 pounds at 20 weeks, but then again, she eats like a HOG. She is now 8 pounds but her body is still all skin and bones, like Luma's. Whereas Brody (who also eats like a hog).... has a bit more cushion and literally his arms are twice her size

. So I think dogs can have different body types, but she should still be gaining weight.

Carmeow · 05-14-2012, 11:30 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, its true, when she still had her hair I thouught she was a little chubster, and now shaved I'm worried about her being too skinny lol. The weights are not from a home scale, they are from the same vet office. Maybe she'll just be that awkward girl in school who shoots up but stays skinny.

As for the TOTW recall, it sucks because chicken soup was recalled first. So I threw my bag out and got totw and then that got recalled the next day. Im looking into Fromm right now but there are no retailers close, so we'll see.

Carmeow · 05-14-2012, 11:31 AM

Double post!

kjc · 05-14-2012, 12:07 PM

I mail order my dog's food... shipping doesn't cost any more than gas! That way you'll have more options....

05-13-2012, 09:41 PM	#1
Carmeow I♥ my girls Luma+Rosie Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Aggieland, TX Posts: 3,359	Too skinny? How to tell? Luma is four months old. She was 3.5lbs when we got her at 11 weeks. Her sire and dam are both 7lbs. She is still 3.5 lbs at 19 weeks...she has gotten sooo big, height and length wise. But she is so skinny I never really noticed until now, she got shaved a couple days ago. Is it normal to see all her ribs, and see her spine? I feel around her haunches and there is no fat to grab, just skin. She was on chicken soup for the puppy lovers soul when we brought her home. We recently switched her to TOTW. She likes this food more it seems. She eats just under a cup of food per day. We give half in the morning, then the rest in the evening. Sometimes she leaves it in the bowl and I have to throw it out. Shouldn't she have gained weight? She seems like shes tripled in size since we brought her home..but shes skinny as a twig! __________________ Carmen, mama to Luma & my little angel in Heaven, Rosie.

05-13-2012, 09:52 PM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	As long as she is gaining weight she is fine just keep an eye on her __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

05-13-2012, 09:59 PM	#3
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Every pup is different. Uni didn't gain weight until she was almost 2 years old. Now she's about 6 lbs and tall as a supermodel. She went through a picky "I'm too good for that food" phase too. It was really frustrating. After she was spayed, she developed a normal healthy appetite. Best decision I ever made. __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

05-13-2012, 10:01 PM	#4
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Oh BTW when you look at your pup from the top, there should be a def "waist" otherwise they are overweight. Most people think their pups are underweight when in reality they are perfect. If the waist goes straight or "out" they are fattys LOL __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

05-14-2012, 04:13 AM	#5
GeorgiesMomma I love TBCG! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MD Posts: 7,227	Luma looks perfectly fine to me. I know what you mean once they get shaved you realize just how thin their little bodies are. It's the same way with Georgie. As long as she is eating she will be fine. __________________ Morgan Mommy toGeorgie boy & Isaiah RIP sweet Coco 10/12/99-8/1/12 Read About Georgie's Experience with Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI) Here!

05-14-2012, 04:33 AM	#6
Lilymo YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 441	Did you use the same scales to weigh her? Sometimes scales are calibrated diffrently. I would have expected some weight gain in 8 weeks. __________________ Eileen mum to Mitzi Brodie Robyn Molly and Lilly RIP Morgan

05-14-2012, 04:45 AM	#7
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I think she should have gained some weight in 8 wks. I read your post wrong earlier __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

05-14-2012, 05:05 AM	#8
Taryn0405 Owned by a Gremlin Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The Mitten State! Posts: 3,706	I was worried about Gizmo's weight too, so when he went for some of vaccines I asked the vet. Her words to me were that he was slightly underweight, and if he was to get sick, there wouldn't be much there to sustain him. So, with vet approval, trying to put a little more weight on Gizmo which has been working. My suggestion is if you plan on seeing your vet anytime soon, just ask him/her and see what they say. __________________ Taryn Momma to Gizmo AKA Monkeyman My husband, daughter, son, and dog make me who I am "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am."

05-14-2012, 06:30 AM	#9
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,866	Check the recalls thread... I believe TOTW is on it. Here's a chart to help determine if she's too thin (a similar chart is in all the exam rooms at my vets): Purina.Com \| Dog \| Caring \| Understanding your Dog's Body Condition __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

05-14-2012, 09:15 AM	#10
DBlain Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland County MI Posts: 6,190	what kind of food is TOTW? I would also check with the vet, not to gain any weight in that amount of time could be a little odd __________________ Lola my amazing little yorkie-pom Donna

05-14-2012, 10:42 AM	#12
sophias mommy YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 3,609	I agree with asking your vet the next time Luma takes a trip there. I know Sophia went from 3.2 pounds at 9 weeks to 6 pounds at 20 weeks, but then again, she eats like a HOG. She is now 8 pounds but her body is still all skin and bones, like Luma's. Whereas Brody (who also eats like a hog).... has a bit more cushion and literally his arms are twice her size . So I think dogs can have different body types, but she should still be gaining weight. __________________ Sarah Sophia & Brody

05-14-2012, 11:30 AM	#13
Carmeow I♥ my girls Luma+Rosie Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Aggieland, TX Posts: 3,359	Thanks for the replies guys, its true, when she still had her hair I thouught she was a little chubster, and now shaved I'm worried about her being too skinny lol. The weights are not from a home scale, they are from the same vet office. Maybe she'll just be that awkward girl in school who shoots up but stays skinny. As for the TOTW recall, it sucks because chicken soup was recalled first. So I threw my bag out and got totw and then that got recalled the next day. Im looking into Fromm right now but there are no retailers close, so we'll see. __________________ Carmen, mama to Luma & my little angel in Heaven, Rosie.

05-14-2012, 11:31 AM	#14
Carmeow I♥ my girls Luma+Rosie Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Aggieland, TX Posts: 3,359	Double post! __________________ Carmen, mama to Luma & my little angel in Heaven, Rosie.

05-14-2012, 12:07 PM	#15
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,866	I mail order my dog's food... shipping doesn't cost any more than gas! That way you'll have more options.... __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity