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Usually, the conversation is about helping dogs lose weight. After all, obesity is a major health issue at the moment, and a lot of our pups suffer from it.
But sometimes, dogs can have trouble putting on weight. Whether they have hormone issues, they're an underweight rescue dog, a picky eater or have trouble keeping down their food, sometimes we need to help them get their appetite back.
Here, we discuss how to help your dog gain weight, the signs of being underweight and some reasons why yours might be struggling to put weight on.
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Finding your dog's weight
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The most accurate way to work out your dog's weight is to weigh them. Here's how to do it at home:
Get some weighing scales and stand on them. Note your own weight. This will be our "first weight".
Hold your pet and step on the scales with them in your arms. This is your "second weight".
Deduct the first weight from your second weight. What's left is your pet's weight.
This (probably) won't work if you have a big dog breed! You'll need to take them to the vet to get accurately weighed.
But the best way to check if your dog's underweight is through your vet. They can assess your dog using something known as a body condition score (BCS).
Our article on how to weigh your pet covers more.
Identifying underweight signs
As well as the number on the scales, there are a few signs which could indicate that your dog is underweight. Your dog may have one or all of the following:
Low energy
Little to no muscle mass
Getting ill a lot
An unhealthy-looking coat
Visible hips, ribs and spine
Take your dog to the vet if you think they're underweight. Their weight status and ideal weight can only be confirmed with a proper BCS.
Why won’t my dog gain weight?
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There are a few reasons why your dog isn't gaining weight or refuses food.
They can vary from relatively minor issues like a young, active dog burning off too much energy to more serious or chronic health conditions.
It's impossible to say what the issue is for your pup specifically. It could be parasites, a dental problem or something else.
It's why you must take your dog to the vet if they're underweight. It can be a sign of a serious health issue, especially if you are seeing any other symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting or lethargy.
Types of food to help dogs gain weight
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Firstly, it's important to know your way around pet nutrition, and always follow the advice of your vet.
But generally, giving your pet calorie-dense foods and changing up their feeding frequency is the best way to help them put on weight, if your vet has ruled out underlying health complaints.
Nutritional strategies - high-calorie foods
Choosing nutritious foods with extra calories is your best bet. Always talk this through with your vet, but generally, the following foods for weight gain can help:
High-quality dog food with higher fat and protein
Cooked lean meats, like chicken and turkey
High-fat fish, like salmon and sardines
Cottage cheese or plain yoghurt (introduce this gradually in case your dog cannot handle lactose)
High-fibre foods, like fruit and veggies
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Feeding frequency
You'll definitely need the guidance of a vet or nutritionist for this one. It varies widely depending on age, breed and underlying health conditions.
You shouldn't try to guess this.
Enhancing appetite
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Your vet may recommend a few methods to improve your dog's appetite. Again, a lot of this will depend on what exactly is making your dog underweight. Any health issues will need to be addressed first.
If your dog is otherwise well, these methods will generally fall into two categories:
Palatability enhancers
Your dog may benefit from you adding some flavour to their food, like dry kibble and broth. Or your vet may recommend adding wet food to make eating easier and incentivise them to eat more.
Feeding environment
Sometimes, all your dog needs is a calm, comfortable feeding space.
Make sure your underweight dog has plenty of room in a quiet part of the house to eat, and try adding a few touches like their blanket, toys and things they know well near it. Other pets or small children must not be allowed to disturb them.
Making sure your dog has the right bowl can go a long way too. Try a solid bowl that doesn’t move around while they eat and consider taking their collar off. An ID tag clanging against the side of the dish, for example, can be distracting for some dogs.
Exercise and muscle-building
Even if your dog's underweight, exercise can help them become stronger, bigger and fitter.
We recommend incorporating regular, low-impact and moderate exercise to help them build up muscle mass.
You may consider other muscle-building activities - like swimming or physiotherapy - but make sure you do this under the guidance of your vet first, especially if your pet is unwell.
Monitoring weight gain progress
Much like how you weigh your dog to check if they're underweight, you need to weigh them consistently to assess their progress.
You should organise regular weigh-ins to keep track of your dog's weight weekly. Based on their progress, you can then modify their diet or exercise to maintain steady, healthy weight gain. For example, adding more calories if weight gain is slow.
Prepare for the unexpected
So, there are lots of ways to help your dog gain weight, but the exact method for your pup will depend on what's causing it, their breed, their size and other factors.
Even if you think your dog is a healthy size, having a controlled approach to diet with regular health check-ups is essential for any dog. This allows any issues to be spotted quickly and dealt with sooner.
This is why dog insurance helps. We're here to help you prepare for the unexpected, and that includes staying proactive and keeping your dog in the best shape possible.
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