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07-30-2013, 05:05 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hayward, California, USA
Posts: 40
| Little Toby not gaining weight. Hello everyone. I have a 10 month old yorkie and he's barely gaining weight. He's on Lotus brand chicken flavor for adults. I dont know if he's just being finicky but he's not eating even 1/4 cup per day. Last time I was at the vet's, he was 3.8 lbs. I dont know if he's weight is normal for a yorkie anymore. I dont think he is a teacup though? :| I don;t even know how to find out if hes a teacup? (Is there a way? I doubt it.) I dont know whether or not to change his diet. I really want him to gain some more weight. I can feel his bones whenever I touch him. I feel so bad cause I'm giving him all the treats and a good quality diet but he's still so skinny. I feel helpless, really. :| PLEASE HELP! What should I do? :| Here is Toby a few weeks ago.
__________________ Toby my furball |
Welcome Guest! | |
07-30-2013, 06:42 PM | #2 |
Princess Sophie's Choice Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Clinton, IL, DeWitt County
Posts: 2,758
| Well you can rest assured he's NOT a teacup because there is no "teacup". There are plenty of others here that would be happy to explain that so I won't try to confuse you. As for your pup not gaining weight, what does your vet say? At his current size, what you are feeding him may be all he can eat. Have you tried giving him a bit more and see if he leaves it in the bowl? My yorkie, Princess Sophie, sometimes eats just a bit then goes back later in the evening and finishes the rest. If you are really concerned, I would head to the vet, do not pass go and do not collect... You know how this goes. The vet is really the first line of defense. I always error on the side of caution and have always taken or had an appointment already made before I looked for info here. The people here are great and I love that they are willing to share info but I head to the vet first. Good luck and I hope you will let us know what you find out.
__________________ Diane owned and loved by Hansel and Princess Sophie |
07-30-2013, 06:43 PM | #3 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Well there is no such thing as a teacup it is a marking ploy made up by puppyy mills and bad breeders to jack up the price of pups. The standard is not to exceed 7 pounds so he is in the standard. Did your vet seem concerned with his weight? If the vet doesn't think he is under weight then I would trust the vet. We have a lot of problems with chubby pets lately so before trying to get him to gain more weight I would check with the vet. They can be mostly grown by 10 months and then just start filling out a little bit. What are you feeding him now? Have you tried mixing a little wet food with his dry food? Or soaking the kibble in hot water then drain the water and give it to him? Are the kibbles big because my girl will not eat if the pieces are to big.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
07-30-2013, 07:14 PM | #4 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hayward, California, USA
Posts: 40
| I buy him the Lotus brand adult kibble small bites, and I just recently started adding some Lotus wet food just to make him eat a little bit more. He used to eat in his treat ball (for some reason he would just eat either there or if we throw the kibble one by one, he'll eat.) but my gramma want me to start feeding him in bowls. I asked the vet when I went last week if he's underweight, he didn't seem to be so concerned about him. He just told me that he's skinny but not underweight. My whole family thinks my dog is underweight though. o_o There would even be some days in a week that he would just eat a few pieces of kibble and then just leave the rest of the kibble there. I tried to put him on a twice a day feeding schedule, (like taking the bowl away at certain times) but he wouldn't budge. I'm not sure if I'm doing this pet parenting right anymore. O_O I just feel like I know nothing about having a pet that's why he's losing weight? I would call my vet tomorrow morning to set an appointment, I suppose.
__________________ Toby my furball |
07-30-2013, 07:17 PM | #5 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hayward, California, USA
Posts: 40
| ALso, I'm not sure if I switched him to adult food too early? I just recently started the adult food, so maybe that's the case too? Someone told me at a dog park once that puppy food has more 'un-needed' vitamins (?) that make dogs overweight. I might just be stupid enough to have believed that lady?
__________________ Toby my furball |
07-30-2013, 07:22 PM | #6 | |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Quote:
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! | |
07-30-2013, 07:23 PM | #7 | |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Quote:
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! | |
07-30-2013, 07:31 PM | #8 |
YT 2000 Club Member | dog My boys are a little picky. They like a little water and wet dog food mixed in with their regular food. Sometimes some chicken or boiled egg. I would try to make your dog food tasty. You may have to try a new food that he likes. These Yorkies can get picky and like certain tastes. I hope he starts to eat and gain weight soon. |
07-31-2013, 08:50 PM | #9 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ
Posts: 1,812
| My vet is fully supportive of feeding an ALS formula after 12 weeks of age and to feed it for life unless the dog develops a serious health issue that warrants a change. Roxy was 3.5 pounds for the longest time and she is super active. Her top weight was 4.25 pounds which was during the winter because she hates the cold!!!
__________________ Beware of Nestle Purina Cozy (4/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/08), Lucy (4/09); Buddy 4/09- Rescued 12/11); Mika ('98) & Tallulah ('00) RIP Harley 4/2009; Lucky 11/2010; Zoey 4/2012 |
08-02-2013, 12:00 PM | #10 |
I♥ my girls Luma+Rosie Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Aggieland, TX
Posts: 3,359
| Well in one post you said he is 3.8 lbs but then you said he's losing weight. Is he losing weight or just maintaining 3.8 lbs? If he's losing weight, that's not good. If he's maintaining, his frame could naturally be smaller and putting on more weight may actually make him overweight, which isn't good either, and can lead to problems with their knees. If your vet says he's not underweight, but you still think he could stand to gain a bit, ask about a supplemental wet food. I thought my Rosie felt a little underweight, and I really wanted her to be 3 lbs before her spay (which is very soon) so the vet wrote me a prescription for a supplemental wet food that is nutrient dense and will allow her to put on some weight. She has only gained 1 oz. after being on the food for about 2 weeks though. The puppy food is labeled puppy food only if it meets certain criteria that proves it supports growth, same reason pregnant dogs eat puppy food. My 7 month old is still eating puppy food because I still think she needs to put some weight on. Just check with your vet, whatever you decide. It'd help to leave food out at all times so he grazes on it throughout the day. You can try adding a little chicken broth to the kibble and warming it up too. Does he drink water fine?
__________________ Carmen, mama to Luma & my little angel in Heaven, Rosie. |
08-03-2013, 03:04 AM | #11 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member | Quote:
Great advice
__________________ Teri . . . Galen Jameson Frazier Seraphina Luna Rosencrantz, Saber Tooth Tiger, Pussy Willow Pandora Guildenstern | |
08-05-2013, 09:47 PM | #12 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Central california
Posts: 799
| My pup has been 4 lbs since he was 6 months old and is now 11 months old. As long as vet says he is healthy don't worry. |
08-05-2013, 09:49 PM | #13 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Central california
Posts: 799
| My boy also eats about 1/4 cup a day and is stocky. Definetly not under weight. |
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