Skinny dog

[adoptashelterpettoday]

I adopted Nico, a GSD/greyhound (that is my guess, he looks more like a GSD but is skinny like a greyhound) mix about a year ago. He hasnt filled out the way I would like for him to. He is only about 50 lbs. I feed him 5 cups of Canidae a day (which is a lot more than the vet suggested), and still I can see his hip bones. Everyone looks at me like I abuse the poor dog, but I feed him a lot more then I should. Is there any way to make him bulk up a little?

I think it is the greyhound in him that makes him look so skinny. This dog eats PLENTY, but I dont take him anywhere because people stare at him and act like I am a horrible person who is starving my dog.

I wormed him about a month and a half ago. I did it with wormer I got from the vet. So I really dont think that he is wormy, although another dose wouldnt hurt becasue well he likes to eat the other dogs' excrement.

Any suggestions? Someone told me to give him an egg a day but the vet said that wouldnt help that I should just wait for him to fill out, but I am unable to take him anywhere because I feel like a horrible person even though I know I feed him a LOT of food every day.

Thanks ahead of time. I wish I had pics. He really isnt skinny through his midsection. He is but it looks like a greyhounds body shape--you cant see his ribs, if it wernt for his hip bones sticking out, he would be in good shape.

[rabbitsarebetter]

i think its just the grey hound in him. some pics would help.

[adoptashelterpettoday]

Okay, these are from when he was a puppy (he is almost a year now), but his body shape hasnt changed.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k242/adoptarkansas/nicolucy.jpg
--see how his hips just stick out?

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k242/adoptarkansas/P8080100.jpg

Hopefully I will remember to bring some more pics tomorrow.

[rabbitsarebetter]

hmm, i dont see any grey hound in there. but really, i still cant tell with the pics at all.

[whatszmatter]

looks just fine in those pictures even though they are old. If you have a thin dog, you need thick skin because people will love to put you down, so they can feel better about their obese dog. Its just how it is. New pics would be nice and a bigger help in offering an opinion. Plus I wouldn't worm my dogs unless I had a positive fecal test from the vet, no need tryin to kill something that isn't there.

[rabbitsarebetter]

however, from what i gather worming is harmless. if there isnt any worms and you wormed, no big deal.
of course i am no vet though

[BostonBanker]

however, from what i gather worming is harmless. if there isnt any worms and you wormed, no big deal.
of course i am no vet though


Keep in mind, wormer is a poison. Small amounts, for sure, but why give any to your dog if they don't need it? I agree with whatszmatter, have a fecal done first to see what, if anything, you are dealing with.

My friend spent the first couple years of her life dealing with the same problem you are having. Her shepherd cross was very, very lean as a young dog (and still is, though not as much). She once had a stranger hand her cash and tell her to buy her dog some food.

I can't imagine that an egg a day would hurt things; it's a good source of high quality protein. But your vet may be right that it may just take time.

[adoptashelterpettoday]

She once had a stranger hand her cash and tell her to buy her dog some food.



Hey, I wouldnt mind a stranger handing me cash. *lol* j/k.

Thanks for the encouragement. People just make me feel so bad and I cant take him anywhere because I know people look at me like I am a horrible person.

I will try to get some new pics today & get them posted tomorrow.

I worm my dogs once every 3 months or so because I constantly have foster dogs coming & going, and most of them do have worms. I have heard it is okay to (according to my vet) as long as it isnt done that often.

My vet didnt say the egg a day would hurt, they said that it wouldnt help a lot, that I should just give him time. But like I said, it isnt any fun not being able to take your dog anywhere. Like when I took him to Pet smart, people wont say anything but they will give you that "look" that makes you feel 1 inch tall, even though you know you are trying & feeding super quality food, it still makes you feel bad. I just want to ask them "why would I bring my dog to Pet Smart if I was starving him?". I guess it's a good lesson to not be so judgemental. Cant tell you how hard I have tried to put weight on this dog.

Guess I will just learn to grow thick skin. I will try to get some pics of him on here tomorrow.


ETA-in the 2nd pic, you can see what I am talking about better.

[skyeboxer]

So is he just about a year and a half then? Or slightly younger maybe. He looks very GSD to me, I don't see greyhound either but my old GSD Max was the same way till past the 18 month mark, then he just starting filling out. At one point he seemed to be all legs and ears.

You know your feeding him, you know you've had him checked by the vet, you've wormed him and you've done everything you can think of to speed up the filling out process. While you are worrying about how others are looking at him, you are letting great socialisation experiences slip by. If it bothers you so much you have to have an answer for people who look askance then get him a bandana that says - no I'm not underfed, I'm overexersised - or some dumb thing.

[adoptashelterpettoday]

He will be a year at the end of this month (of course it is a guess). But he was about 8 weeks when I adopted him June 1st of last year.

I socialize him with people at my house and always take him to mom's when I go to visit, but that's not nearly enough.

I know I shouldnt let it get to me, but even after I tell people that he eats good quality food and plenty of it, they still look at me like "yeah right". It's like hello people, if I were starving my dog, why would I bring him out in public? Why would I take him to the dog park and to Pet Smart?

He does need to be socialized more. He is a very sweet dog, would never hurt a fly, but he is a bit timid. I feel like a horrible "mom" but what am I supposed to do? I guess just take the stares and rude comments and know that I am trying my best.

[showpug]

I honestly think I see Saluki in your dog's face. The Saluki is a greyhound-like breed and is a sight hound as well. It is very natural and normal to see the hip bones and rib in these dogs when they are a healthy weight. Here is a picture of a Saluki at normal weight: http://www.saluki.net/images/rebel/scrapbook.rebel.backyard.jpg

Just a thought anyway...

[adoptashelterpettoday]

He does have that face but Saluki's arent very common though are they?

His face sort of reminds me of like a coyote or wolf or something, it doesnt look very greyhoundish to me. Greyhound was the guess because of the body shape.

I know it is his body build why his hips stick out, but I was hoping there was some vitamin or something I could give him to fill out.

Okay, okay now I have to get pictures tomorrow.

You cant see his ribs or anything, like the Saluki in the picture, but he does have that lean body.

I just wish people would stop being so judgemental and realize that no one in their right mind would bring a dog they are abusing to Pet smart or to the park. Even one of my friends acted like I abused him and she is my FRIEND and knows I wouldnt do that. I guess it would be hard for me too if I saw a dog whose hip bones stuck out like Nico. I point out to everyone you cant see his ribs though, so he obviously isnt malnourished..

I talked to another friend about switching to Eukanuba, because I have heard quite a few people say their dogs gain weight on that, but she said it would be stupid if it is just full of empty fillers and I should stick with Canidae.

[Sweet72947]

Another thing you can point out is that if a dog has good muscle tone, they aren't malnourished. A starving body will break down the muscle to feed itself.

[showpug]

I can totally feel for you and how frusterated it must be to take good care of your dog, feed him plenty and have people assume the worst.

More pictures would help a lot so we could judge if he's under weight or just built that way. What does your vet say?

Don't feed Eukanuba that's for sure. Canidae is a terrific choice. Which formula do you feed? Do you have access to any other super-premium foods? You may want to give the regular Innova a try too as it has more calories per cup than Canidae. Some dogs hold weight better on different foods...

[Zoom]

My mentor has the same issue with her GSD, but he has a diagnosed malabsorption issue. He just can't put on weight and she's constantly having to fend off questions and accusations. But on Dreden you can see both hips and ribs...I had convinced her to try EVO there for awhile and it seemed to be doing well for him, but she felt the cost was too much for as much as she had to feed him and she's got four other dogs as well. He's back on Iams puppy now. :(

[BostonBanker]

http://www.horseworks.com/inc/sdetail/181

Just a thought - why don't you put some sort of coat on him if you don't want people commenting? You could always just get a nice lightweight one that would cover up his ribs and hips. Perhaps it would just make your life easier until he starts to fill out on his own?

[adoptashelterpettoday]

The only food around here is Canidae. I looked for that Innova because it is supposed to be better & the same price, but the only way I can get it is to have it shipped and of course shipping alone is outrageous. The only other foods I have access to are the ones they sell at Pet Smart/Pet Co....

My vet says just be patient, he will put on weight.

I am really going to get some pics tomorrow. I am just having computer problems at home.

[lanasmom]

I am also facing the same problem. My 16 month old GSD - Lana is losing weight. Took her to the vet today to have her spayed and had her blood work done, everythin was normal except for the glucose. Which was higher than normal. The vet didnt mention anything about my Lana being diabetic. She said it might be due to Lana's nerves being in a new clinic and new people touching her etc. She recommended a PURINA (in a can) dog food. She said that it can be bought only from a vet clinic. Can anyone here recommend which dog foods I can try giving/feeding to my Lana?

[Zoom]

Go take a turn around the Food forum, there have been a number of lists just like you're looking for made in the past two days. :)

[adoptashelterpettoday]

I finally got some pics.
I tried to get ones to show off what he looks like, it's hard to see through a picture..


http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k242/adoptarkansas/nicoedit01.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k242/adoptarkansas/nicoedit02.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k242/adoptarkansas/nicoedit03.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k242/adoptarkansas/nicoedited05.jpg

[Maxy24]

In these pics you just put up he does not look very thin at all, I don't see any too prominent bones, he looks better/more filled out than when he was a puppy. most people think healthy weight dogs are too skinny because most dogs are over weight or obese. He sure is adorable though! :D

[adoptashelterpettoday]

Thank you very much! He is a sweet boy.

It's hard to tell in the pictures but his hip bones do stick out. You can tell a little, I tried to get some pics that showed it better, but these are all I got.


He isnt super skinny, his hip bones just stick out, it seems like he has no muscle on his butt or something. Or that his hip bones are just too big for him?

[SisMorphine]

I think your dog looks great in those current pics! It looks like your dog has a bit of a roach to his lower back (arching) which can cause the appearance of the spine or hipbones to become more prominent. I'd say work on building up some muscle tone if your really worried, but I think he looks fine. What a cutie!

[showpug]

I think he looks fine too. He just has a fine boned build. Studies show that dogs kept on the really lean side live longer anyway...

Very cute dog!

[Momof2Pups]

I agree he looks pretty good- I was expecting him to look realllly skinny. He looks lean, and like said; a dog is healthier being a little lean than a little overweight.

[IlUvMyAnImAlZ05]

I have the same problem with my Hungarian Vizla/retriever mix. Because of the Hungarian Vizsla in him he is kind've like Greyhouds-they just are naturally skinny. He has been seen by the vet numerous times and he is fine. We give him worm stuff when we're suppose to. So, when I take him on a walk or just take him with in the car everybody stares at him like they think he is starved. I have tried all diferent foods-both dry and can. Have you tried the Purina "Moist and Meaty" its like a hamburger dry food. It comes in pouches. You just give them a pouch a day. Its supposed to be good for filling dogs out as thats what our vet told us and he has gained a few pounds, but still looks terribly SKINNY! Hope the "Moist and Meaty" helps, if you do try it.
Good luck! Also, if I ever find something that works really well for fattening them, I will post on here:)

[skyeboxer]

He really does look just like Max at that age. I bet he'll start to fill out in a couple of months. He's a fine looking boy and Maxy24 hit it on the head. Many people immediately jump to the conclusion that a healthy, fit, naturally lean dog is underweight bcause they are so used to seeing dogs carrying too much weight.

[Oski]

He actually looks like a full GSD to me....I am in the same boat as you right now I think. My male is 8 months and he seems to have finer bones right now. Although his rib cage is really large, measuring from the top of his back to the bottom of his stomach, so I think he may develop into a pretty big dog. His waist seems to be very skinny and also his legs are thin too right now but you cant see his ribs and can't even feel each individual rib. People give me that look too and some even make comments like, "He looks skinny". It is kind of embarrassing and frustrating becasue people dont' know how much time and care you put into your dog. My dog has a lot of Czech bloodlines in him, and those dogs seem to be more finer boned. Although he doesn't seem to be that tall right now, he weighs 75 lbs, which is already part of the average male scale....I really dont know where all this weight is??? lol I really think that they fill out as they age....they don't finish developing until between 18 and 24 months....so I assume that is muscle and bone thickening time. Slender is acutally good for GSD's at a young age because they are developing a lot of their joints and plates and too much weight can be very harmful on those joints. I know its frustrating...at least your dog is eating 5 cans a day...mine turns his nose up at Canidae (which is what I feed), mixed with egg, yogurt, and canned Canidae food!!! He really doesn't have much of an appetite, eats about 3 cups a day, and would not eat even 1 cup if it was just dry food.

Hang in there, ignore uneducated remarks from people, and give him lots of excersize...its will help with muscle developement. :)

[Psyfalcon]

He looks a little lean, and too little tail to be full GSD to me, the last picture makes me think there is a touch of sight hound in him. Other than that hip bone, he looks great, so I wouldnt worry much, and see what happens. Our beagle x pointer actually looks very similar, the high rear end makes it look much bonier than it is. Same with all the pictures I've seen of Chessies... high rears look bony.

Buster looks like he has huge hip bones... until you go at pet him, then you realize he just has a tuft of fur on each sticking out!

[Oski]

He looks a little lean, and too little tail to be full GSD to me, the last picture makes me think there is a touch of sight hound in him. Other than that hip bone, he looks great, so I wouldnt worry much, and see what happens. Our beagle x pointer actually looks very similar, the high rear end makes it look much bonier than it is. Same with all the pictures I've seen of Chessies... high rears look bony.

Buster looks like he has huge hip bones... until you go at pet him, then you realize he just has a tuft of fur on each sticking out!


Actually some GSD's tails don't fill out until they are older...my GSD male had a very thin tail and now that he is 8 months, it is just starting to get thicker. Some full grown Shepherds dont ever develop thick tails too.

[DanL]

I think he looks good too. He's a young man, they go through phases of being thin like that. He looks like a full GSD to me, even with the tail. Just a finer boned dog, that's all. His face is longer and narrower. My daughter's boyfriend's family has a GSD that is about 6 months younger than our Gunnar, and he's totally different looking- more like your guy with his finer features vs the giant head and thick neck that Gunnar has.

[JeeperBrian]

I adopted Nico, a GSD/greyhound (that is my guess, he looks more like a GSD but is skinny like a greyhound) mix about a year ago. He hasnt filled out the way I would like for him to. He is only about 50 lbs. I feed him 5 cups of Canidae a day (which is a lot more than the vet suggested), and still I can see his hip bones. Everyone looks at me like I abuse the poor dog, but I feed him a lot more then I should. Is there any way to make him bulk up a little?

I think it is the greyhound in him that makes him look so skinny. This dog eats PLENTY, but I dont take him anywhere because people stare at him and act like I am a horrible person who is starving my dog.

I wormed him about a month and a half ago. I did it with wormer I got from the vet. So I really dont think that he is wormy, although another dose wouldnt hurt becasue well he likes to eat the other dogs' excrement.

Any suggestions? Someone told me to give him an egg a day but the vet said that wouldnt help that I should just wait for him to fill out, but I am unable to take him anywhere because I feel like a horrible person even though I know I feed him a LOT of food every day.

Thanks ahead of time. I wish I had pics. He really isnt skinny through his midsection. He is but it looks like a greyhounds body shape--you cant see his ribs, if it wernt for his hip bones sticking out, he would be in good shape.

ok so disclaimer, i havn't read all the responses to this thread, but i have an experience with this. When i adopted marbles (at the time a pup now a happy 13 year old lab) she was abused, her previous owner locked her mom, and all of her siblings in a closet, marbles was the runt of the litter (or so we thought due to her weight, so we thought. But she was always a happpy dog. i am 21 now so when i got her i was a young man, but i was very mature (long story as to why) and i delt with most of the happenings of the Dog. Our animal control guy would come around and take my dog out of her outside keep because she was "under weight" and looking back the guy was right for thinking so, but the persistant harrasment that occured after i brought in vet records of her weight and health went over the top. But, to make a long story short, last year around christmas she got very sick, wouldn't eat for anyone and had no energy(she was always an energenic dog) So i came home from college, about a three to four hour drive, which i made in some sort of horrific records that i don't even want to say. Got home and she finally ate very little for me when i hand fed her. But i went downstairs to clean up because she was having loose bowl movements when i found throw up with some blood in it. We took her to the vets and after a few day stay, blood work and x-rays they concluded she had a large tumor inbetween her rib cage that needed emergency surgery.. They pulled a softball sized tumor out of my dog. She then went from a Lab that weight 25-35lbs to a normal, 55-60lbs. she is currently healthy as can be. so i can understand the fear that comes with having an underweight dog and it not being your fault. I would listen to your vet and see if it fills out, if not, see what's wrong. Good luck, hope my story helps with taking some of your fear away from having a Dog you're nursing back to health with weight, i know the issues that come for the owner with that.

With care,

Brian