Gotta get this boy fattened up!
 

Sam's not just lean. To me he feels downright bony. I can run my finger down his back and feel every ridge in his spine. His ribs and hips feel like they have nothing but skin over them. I didn't realize just how thin until after his haircut last week. I'd be surprised if he is even close to 4 lbs right now. Our vet isn't open on the weekends so I will have to wait until Friday to run him by and get him weighed.

I've had him on RC Yorkie Puppy 29 for roughly a month. He started out gangbusters with it, gulping down every bite and eating between 1/2 and 2/3 cup a day. I was really happy and decided that I would wean him off of adding canned. Because I have to work and can't feed him midday, I really wanted to know that he would free feed dry. This last few days, it's been increasingly harder to get him to eat.

I brushed his teeth last night and noticed that he has some teeth coming in. His little gums looked really tender, so this morning I gave in and broke out the Ideal Balance canned stew. He adores the stuff! I mixed 1/8 cup kibble with 1/8 cup of the stew. He ate all the stew and most of the kibble.


How many minimum calories roughly should he be getting a day at 6 months?

There is nothing wrong with giving some canned or even all canned. Mine get canned in the morning for breakfast

Amount of calories depends on each dog's activity level. More active dogs and growing pups will require more than older couch potatoes. Whatever you feed, start with the amount recommended to feed listed on the can or bag. If your pup feels thin, increase the amount gradually, or you can add treats to bump up the amount of calories.

In general, canned food is more nutritious than dry kibble, so to put on weight, I would include canned in the diet.

A vet check would be wise, to rule out anything medical going on preventing appropriate weight gain. I would start there, as your vet may be able to make recommendations on how to safely get him to put on some weight.

How old is Sam? Teddy was very, very thin at 8 months. He was like a boney rag doll. I think he was 2 years old before he started filling out.

When you have him weighed, ask your vet to evaluate if Sam is underweight.

The RC bag recommends 7/8 cup daily. I had to laugh. I'm lucky if he'll eat 1/3. He'll be 6 months on Tuesday.

A funny aside: I gave him 1/4 cup twice yesterday, and his bowl was empty last night. I thought he had eaten all of it, until DH informed me that he found his bowl outside his ex-pen. Which means he didn't eat it at all. My two year old did! I have had to keep her gated away from the cat's food since she could crawl. I guess I need to figure out how to isolate Sam's food too.

:) Also, some of our pups are just generally of a different build to others...:)

Harry weighs 20lbs (he's 3 years old in October) - but you'd never think it. He's bigger and much slimmer - even at his weight I can feel his spine when I run my hand along it.

When he's in the bath, he looks like one of those pups that you'd try and save from a Charity advert....:eek: :D

I homecook for him - and keep Royal Canin adult down all the time for him to graze on....but with him he kind of self-regulates - I find he eats more in the evening, but that's just him.

I totally agree with Kathy - I'd get my vet to check your baby over and see what he suggests. Good luck! :) Sally + Harry x

7/8 cup?! I think most food brands recommend too much. My 9 pound boys eat less than 3/4 cup of a 380 calorie/per cup food.

Sam is young, and not neutered, right? Unless his bones are visibly protruding, I wouldn't worry too much. Just have the vet take a look and voice an opinion.

I think I told you before that Max was not a big eater his first year. We had to hand feed every kibble or play games putting it in the Kong. Now he is chow hound.

He is at the age for being leggy and thin! Teeka is almost 10 months and very thin......I would love for her to fill out, too! It really depends on their activity level as to how much you should feed. If he still acts hungry after he is fed, give him a little more. He might have just gone through a growth spurt in height and he just needs to catch up in the weight department. Your vet can better advise you as to him being underweight for his height, bone structure and age. Let us know what your vet thinks..... :)

I bet his weight will catch up all on it's own. Just like kids, they seem to have growth spurts where they seem taller or longer before the weight catches up.

He is still so young. My Tiki was also bony, skinny, and it took her 2-3 years to get to a healthier looking shape. She is also tall and long. Now at 5, she is the only one of my 4 who doesn't need to lose a little :)

I'll talk to Dr. H when I take him to weigh on Friday. It's probably me not being able to stop worrying, and I probably wouldn't if I didn't see Piper and how completely opposite littermates can be. She is smaller overall, but she is solid as a brick. It doesn't feel like I'm going to break her when I pick her up. And she eats like it's her profession. She was the runt of the litter, but is turning out to be hardiest.

It is funny how different they can be, and metabolism and stature is so different, even in litter mates. My 4 doggies eat the same amt of the same food, yet weigh 6, 7, 8 and 14 lbs.

Arggg, Meika my chunky girl really needs to taper down.

Ask your vet about adding probiotics/digestie enzymes to his food too, as they help with breaking down the food and can increase appetite.

Sounds like my boys. They are brothers but Max is my brick and Teddy is very finely built, although building muscle.

I agree! Teddy's metabolism is set on high compared to Max. I've cut back their food and Teddy has lost 6 ounces while Max lost only 1/2 ounce.