My dog is getting skinny :/

Pink_minx

Well-known member
My dog is about a year old now she is a shih poo and is a very active dog. I've been feeding her dry food called Beneful. It seems like she only eats the red food which I think is the meat and leaves out the brown ones which I think are the veggies lol. I bought her some Beneful wet food and she grubs down and eats it in like 5 seconds! But those are a little too expensive for me to buy. Im just worried cause I can feel her ribs and she has lost some weight in the past month so I was wondering if there are any hard food that will help her gain some weight? Any kind of brand that is good with lots of protein?
 

Makeup Emporium

Well-known member
My recommendation would be to take her to a vet if she is losing weight. There are numerous reasons this could happen and you should make sure to get her checked out to rule out any problems before you just try to switch food to try to have her gain weight. Once you've ruled out that there is not an underlying problem you can then talk to the vet and see what foods would work best.
 

tara_hearts

Well-known member
My dog eats Purina and is pretty chubby. My friends pitbulls were eating beneful and beefed up when they were switched to purina so you might wanna try that. Also, do you have your dog on a worm preventative such as interceptor or heartguard. That is really important and worms can make your dog skinnier so I'd get her checked at the vet.
 

Simply Elegant

Well-known member
Your dog also might be depressed. Also, you might want to try mixing up the dry food with the canned food so she eats it all.
 

hhunt2

Well-known member
My dog is going through the same thing.

Also, Does your pup "strain" herself when she goes #2??
Is her poop usually runny/watery??

It sounds like your pup has stomach issues.
Your pup feels "full" (usually from something inflamming her tummy) so she won't eat all of her regular food. BUT if you give her human food or wet dog food, they will eat it b/c it's different!

I've asked my vet and they insist (I mean really) on doing blood tests. My vet charges up the ass for blood test, xrays, etc. (I think they do that intentially). But when I talk to my clients (a couple of them work at local Humane Society), they suggest going all natural first. A week of ProBiotic's OR make a potato skin broth then pore it over the dry food. There's something in the potato skins that help with dogs tummy issues. You would peel potatos and boil the skins with a little water. Then pore the, now, broth (without the skins) over the dog food. Let the food absorb the broth a little and give it to the pup.
I've heard good things about both methods to help with this lack of eating issue.

And I think Beneful is one of the well known brands that include additive junk and many dogs may be allergic to.
 

Pink_minx

Well-known member
I dont have her on any preventative worm treatments. The last time she got one was about a couple months or so ago. But I am thinking of doing that because she does go outside and play a lot with her mom, brother, and sisters. My bf's brother said that THAT could be one of the factors of her losing her weight. Im definitely going to look into interceptor and heartguard.

I never thought that she would be depressed...what would cause her to be depressed
th_confused_new.gif


Well I will definitely buy a small bag of purina and see how she does with that.
 

Pink_minx

Well-known member
I've noticed that she has a hard time pooping like she is constipated? usually she pushes once or twice and it all comes out fast but now it takes her longer to go. When I first bought the beneful food she use to eat it more often but still leave the brown food out and eat the other colored ones. Now she barely even touches it. I tried to hand feed it to her and she will lick it and spit it out. Even if I feed her the colored ones she would spit it out. Every now and then I will see her take a few bites but thats about it.
 

FiestyFemme

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pink_minx
I dont have her on any preventative worm treatments. The last time she got one was about a couple months or so ago. But I am thinking of doing that because she does go outside and play a lot with her mom, brother, and sisters. My bf's brother said that THAT could be one of the factors of her losing her weight. Im definitely going to look into interceptor and heartguard.

If you don't have her on any preventative treatments, you should probably get her tested first. Especially since it's been so long since she's had anything. It's expensive to get a dog tested for heartworms, but the medication be deadly if given to them & they have heartworms.
 

tara_hearts

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by FiestyFemme
If you don't have her on any preventative treatments, you should probably get her tested first. Especially since it's been so long since she's had anything. It's expensive to get a dog tested for heartworms, but the medication be deadly if given to them & they have heartworms.

I second that, def. get her tested. And the interceptor is really cheap, it's only $8 a month for my 55lb rot pup so I can imagine its cheaper for a small dog. You can order it online from petmeds in 6-12 month supplies and save alot of money.
 

Dahlia_Rayn

Well-known member
Okay, I work part time at a pet store, and I'm going to tell you something that might hurt your pocket book, but end up being really really great for your dog! Beneful is a horrible food, as is most pet food you find at the grocery store! All pet food is independently reviewed and rated and Beneful gets like two out of six stars or something. The reason your baby is straining to poop is because she is not eating a proper diet!

If you really are on a budget Costco's Kirkland Signature Premium food is a much better option, the lamb meal and rice formula is good. You always want the first ingredients to be meat, or meat meal. You never want wheat or corn in your pet's food EVER, those are the top allergens for dogs!

Also, I would steer clear of anything they sell in your vet's office (IAMS, Science Diet), they are better then Beneful or Purina, but vet's receive kick backs to carry them in their offices!

Other brands you could look into are Canidae, California Natural, Orijen, Natural Balance, Wellness, Innova...they are more expensive it's true, but a better food in the long run will save you money. They eat less because it's more filling, your pet produces less waste because they eat less "filler", and the ingredients are more nutrient rich which contributes to the overall health of your pet!

I personally have three dogs, I feed them a mix of Kirkland Signature Lamb Meal and Rice and rotate any of the above brands through with that. Research has also shown that mixing up your pets diet can be good for them too. You'd get tired of eating mac n' cheese all the time, right? I hope this helps, and if you have any specific questions please let me know and if I don't know I'll try and find out for you!

Also, I wanted to add that you should take her to a vet and have her checked just in case!
 

ginger9

Well-known member
If she is losing noticeable weight, get her checked out by a vet asap.

As for canned/wet dog food, try to go dry as much as possible. Reason being: 1) dry is more nutritious than wet (wet contains a lot of water) 2) if your dog is healthy and young dry is better for the teeth (keeps them healthy and strong) 3) dry is better value for your money.

I buy Eukanuba for my Jack Russell, he's a very healthy 12 year old. I think Iams and Science Diet are pretty good too.

As for your dog being picky. Imo it's more of an issue of being firm with the dog or not giving them food substitutes ie. people food. If there's no other alternatives offered you can bet they'll eat what they are given once hunger hits them.
 

kaliraksha

Well-known member
The worms thing is definitely a factor. I've heard that since they are parasites they basically feed off of the dogs nutrients. Especially if she is out a lot she is exposed to the eggs... if she eats a small animal carrying the eggs (like a fly) she can become infested. Does she rub her butt on the floor? I've heard that is a sign. If you are tight on cash you might be able to just deworm her anyway, that's generally safe and done by breeders when they're puppies. However, you will probably need to do it like 3 separate times about 4-6 weeks apart so that all the eggs have time to grow and get out of her system. I would call the vet and ask if it's safe to deworm your pet and let them know your budget is tight and you can't bring her in.

The other things I've done when my puppy is refusing to eat is give her Nutri-cal it's like a tube you keep in the fridge that's maybe $12-14 (lasts a LONG time) and on days she doesn't eat you give her vitams and nutrients essentially so she can stay as healthy as possible.

Another trick that I do when my dogs are being picky and sad (sometimes they miss my boyfriends parents when we come back from visiting them and they don't want to eat as much) is I put a few ounces of water in their food... just to moisten it up then I heat it up in the microwave and it smells more fragrant and she will eat it. The smell is probably why she eats the canned food.

Don't switch her food too often or she can also get picky... small dogs are picky eaters and use to being spoiled. Beneful is pretty good, but I would switch to a food that had more meat in it even if it is a little pricier... that way the food she is eating is exactly what she needs. Dogs are carnivores... they don't really need all those fillers in food like wheat, corn, rice, vegetables, etc. I give my dogs Solid Gold... but just ask at a pet store and there are a lot of really affordable options that aren't "junk food" for our dogs (not that beneful is entirely... but some are!).

Lastly, look for a low cost clinic or not for profit clinic in your area... most major metropolitans have them and can help with testing prices or might be on a sliding scale depending on how much you make.

Hope your pup feels better =)
 

ginger9

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dahlia_Rayn
If you really are on a budget Costco's Kirkland Signature Premium food is a much better option, the lamb meal and rice formula is good. You always want the first ingredients to be meat, or meat meal. You never want wheat or corn in your pet's food EVER, those are the top allergens for dogs!

Other brands you could look into are Canidae, California Natural, Orijen, Natural Balance, Wellness, Innova...they are more expensive it's true, but a better food in the long run will save you money. They eat less because it's more filling, your pet produces less waste because they eat less "filler", and the ingredients are more nutrient rich which contributes to the overall health of your pet!

I personally have three dogs, I feed them a mix of Kirkland Signature Lamb Meal and Rice and rotate any of the above brands through with that. Research has also shown that mixing up your pets diet can be good for them too. You'd get tired of eating mac n' cheese all the time, right? I hope this helps, and if you have any specific questions please let me know and if I don't know I'll try and find out for you!


Thanks for this! I've always wanted to try the Costco dog food but was never sure of the quality.
 

stronqerx

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dahlia_Rayn
Okay, I work part time at a pet store, and I'm going to tell you something that might hurt your pocket book, but end up being really really great for your dog! Beneful is a horrible food, as is most pet food you find at the grocery store! All pet food is independently reviewed and rated and Beneful gets like two out of six stars or something. The reason your baby is straining to poop is because she is not eating a proper diet!

If you really are on a budget Costco's Kirkland Signature Premium food is a much better option, the lamb meal and rice formula is good. You always want the first ingredients to be meat, or meat meal. You never want wheat or corn in your pet's food EVER, those are the top allergens for dogs!

Also, I would steer clear of anything they sell in your vet's office (IAMS, Science Diet), they are better then Beneful or Purina, but vet's receive kick backs to carry them in their offices!

Other brands you could look into are Canidae, California Natural, Orijen, Natural Balance, Wellness, Innova...they are more expensive it's true, but a better food in the long run will save you money. They eat less because it's more filling, your pet produces less waste because they eat less "filler", and the ingredients are more nutrient rich which contributes to the overall health of your pet!

I personally have three dogs, I feed them a mix of Kirkland Signature Lamb Meal and Rice and rotate any of the above brands through with that. Research has also shown that mixing up your pets diet can be good for them too. You'd get tired of eating mac n' cheese all the time, right? I hope this helps, and if you have any specific questions please let me know and if I don't know I'll try and find out for you!


I agree beneful is terrible food. I had my dog on it, and he was shedding so much and his fur changed from a shiney black to a dull gray. I thought he was changing coats, but nope. I switched him over to pedigree and he looks wayyyy healthier. I am going to try the kirkland brand too!.

To the OP, I hope your doggy gets better.
 

mern

Well-known member
I feed my dog Origen its a little more pricey but it doesnt have any garbage fillers or by-products in it. Did you know that by-products can be partially composed of euthanized dogs and cats and is not usda approved for human consumption. My theory is if I could eat the best food possible why not do the same for my beloved pet. Origen may be a little pricier but it is more filling so your pet actually eats less which in the long run works out. It also has added vitamins and glucosamine to keep your pet healthy and joints strong. (also high in protein to keep your pet feeling fuller for longer)

As for worming if your pet has worms usually they will be somewhat ribby and have a fat little pot belly. A bottle of wormer for the year is less than 20$ and you dont need a vet prescription for it.

I would take your dog to the vet though, there could be an underlying issue, maybe he has a problem with his liver or other internal organs, what kind of dog is it?
 

Pink_minx

Well-known member
My dog is a shih tzu toy poodle mix. I just bought Purina hard food and she hates it. So I put some purina wet food and mixed it with the hard and she just spits out the hard and eats the wet. She's a spoiled lil brat lol. We had her momma eat the food to show her that its good but she will pretend to eat it and then spit it out somewhere else so that we arent looking. I wonder if part of it has to do with feeding her too much human food and treats?? I know my mother feeds her human food when Im not around or when Im not looking so that could be a factor to her being so picky.

Other than that I am def. going to set an appointment for her. We've been going to this clinic for awhile. Their prices are affordable so it wont be so bad. I just hope there is nothing serious going on internally with her.

I also hear that the Costco kirkland brand is pretty good too...My dogs momma eats that right now and she's pretty meaty and healthy. I tried to give my dog some of her food but she doesnt eat it either. My plan for now is to not give her anymore wet food or treats and leave the hard food out. Hopefully that will force her to eat.
 

kaliraksha

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pink_minx
I wonder if part of it has to do with feeding her too much human food and treats?? I know my mother feeds her human food when Im not around or when Im not looking so that could be a factor to her being so picky.



I would definitely say this does. My dogs went to go live with my boyfriend's parents for almost a year because of our landlord and when they wouldn't eat she would feel bad for them so she would cook them something small or give them something neutral that was a left over. My dogs were so picky when they came home to me... they just hold out for the good stuff to the point of not eating for days!

My little brothers dog gets fed table scraps all the time and he's also skinny because he relies on his scraps too much but they aren't fed to him regularly... so he only eats his food when no one is around watching him so he can get pity food later. But, they also give their dog free range of eating... which I don't do... I think my dogs eat better with a schedule because they know when to be hungry and they know if they don't eat within the first 15-20 minutes I'm taking their food up and they can wait til the next feeding time. Also, my dogs eat incredibly well when they get regular exercise... small dogs can be really lethargic if kept at home all day... I take my dogs on short 10-15 minutes walk every day (my Zelda can't handle much more she starts to just sit on the floor and refuses to walk) and this keeps them pretty hungry because they are actually exerting energy.

Good news is it looks like you have a lot of things to try and hopefully it's not that your dog is sick, but just being a little difficult. It's ok... they always give more than they take =)
 

kaliraksha

Well-known member
I just thought of something else, if you are presently concerned about her weight and just want to make sure it goes up you can get her treats. Usually treats are yummy and small dogs are recommended to have less than one a day (read pack of packages to be sure). But, if she is a little light and has some weight to gain... perhaps you can use treats to train her and fatten her up a little. Two birds with one stone kind of.
 

MzzRach

Well-known member
I would take your dog to the vet before doing anything else (i.e. switching food) to ensure nothing is physically wrong with her.
 

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