Signs Your Dog May Be Underfed
If your dog is not getting enough calories or nutrition, you may notice some concerning signs. Underfeeding can lead to malnutrition, which causes the body to lack important nutrients it needs to function properly.
One of the most obvious signs of underfeeding is lethargy or low energy levels. Dogs need calories for energy, so a chronically underfed dog may seem tired, less active or unwilling to exercise. They may sleep more than usual or seem generally disinterested in normal activities.
You may also notice your dog’s ribs becoming more prominent or visible. As dogs lose fat and muscle mass from inadequate nutrition, the ribs often become more defined under the skin. If your dog was previously well-fed, sudden rib visibility warrants attention.
Underfed dogs tend to beg for food constantly or steal human food. They may cry, whine or hover around the dinner table, obsessed with getting any scrap possible due to increased hunger. These dogs also tend to scavenge and eat non-food items, sometimes ingesting dangerous objects.
Since underfed dogs are so preoccupied with food, some may become possessive or aggressive around their food bowls or treats. They feel the need to protect their limited resources. Sudden food aggression in a previously friendly dog can indicate inadequate calorie intake.
Recommended Feeding Guidelines
When determining how much to feed your dog, there are several factors to consider including age, breed size, activity level, and calories needed per pound. Feeding guidelines provide a starting point, but each dog’s needs may vary.
Puppies require more calories and nutrients to support growth and development. According to Rover, puppies under 3 months may need to be fed 3-4 times per day. From 4-6 months, 2-3 meals is typical.
Adult dogs can be fed 1-2 times per day. Feed puppy food for large breeds until at least 12-15 months to support healthy bone growth.
In terms of breed size, small dogs require fewer calories than larger breeds. Purina provides guidelines based on weight:
- Small breeds (up to 20 lbs): 3/4 to 1-1/4 cups daily
- Medium breeds (21-50 lbs): 1-1/3 to 2 cups daily
- Large breeds (51-90 lbs): 2 to 2-2/3 cups daily
- Giant breeds (over 90 lbs): 2-2/3 to 3-2/3 cups daily
More active dogs require more calories. Up the food amount or switch to a high-calorie dog food. Consult your vet to calculate exact caloric needs based on activity level.
As a general rule, dogs need 30 calories per pound of body weight. Larger dogs and puppies may need 40-45 calories per pound. Track weight changes and adjust food accordingly.
Assessing Your Dog’s Body Condition
To determine if your dog is underweight, the best tool is the body condition score (BCS). The BCS is based on a 5-point scale that evaluates your dog’s weight status:
BCS 1: Emaciated with no body fat, obvious loss of muscle mass. Ribs, spine and pelvis protruding. (Source)
BCS 2: Underweight with minimal body fat. Ribs easily visible and may feel sharp. Waist is distinct when viewed from above. (Source)
BCS 3: Ideal body condition. Ribs not visible but can be easily felt with minimal fat covering. Waist is discernible viewed from above but not obvious.
BCS 4: Overweight with ribs difficult to feel under moderate fat cover. Waist absent or barely visible.
BCS 5: Obese with ribs not palpable under heavy fat cover. Heavy fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent with no abdominal tuck.
Ideally, most dogs should fall in the BCS 3 range. If your dog is at BCS 2 or lower, they may be underweight and require more calories. Discuss an ideal weight range for your specific breed with your veterinarian.
When to Seek Veterinary Advice
If your dog is extremely underweight, lethargic, or exhibiting other concerning symptoms, it’s important to schedule a veterinary visit right away.
According to Groton Vets, if your dog has lost significant weight rapidly, seems depressed or weak, or has a poor coat, you should seek veterinary care immediately (https://www.tlc4pets.com/site/blog/2022/06/25/underfeeding-dog). These can be signs of an underlying illness or condition causing your dog to be underweight.
Your veterinarian can do diagnostic testing to determine if there is a health problem contributing to your dog’s low weight. Conditions like parasites, dental disease, cancer, and gastrointestinal issues can all prevent your dog from properly absorbing nutrients.
Your vet can also evaluate your dog’s body condition score more accurately than you can at home. They may discover your dog is significantly underweight even if you haven’t noticed major weight loss yourself.
Getting veterinary care quickly for an underweight dog can help resolve any health issues and get your dog back to a healthy weight safely. Don’t hesitate to call your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s low weight or energy levels.
Increasing Your Dog’s Caloric Intake
If your dog is underweight, one of the simplest ways to help them gain weight is to increase their caloric intake. However, it’s important not to increase calories too quickly. A gradual increase is better for your dog’s digestive health.
Start by increasing your dog’s meals by 10-20%, either by giving them more food at each meal or adding an extra meal per day. For example, if your dog eats 2 cups per day, increase it to 2.2-2.4 cups split between their normal meals.
Also focus on nutrient-dense foods and healthy fats, which provide more calories per cup. Add a spoonful of canned fish packed in oil, cooked egg, bone broth, or coconut oil to their kibble. These will up the calorie count without having to feed more volume.
Feeding smaller meals more frequently can also help dogs gain weight more easily. Instead of one or two large meals, try breaking their daily food into 3-4 smaller meals fed throughout the day.
As always, monitor your dog’s body condition as you increase food. You want to help them achieve an ideal weight, not become overweight. Consult your vet if you are unsure how much to feed.
Choosing a High-Calorie Dog Food
When choosing a high-calorie dog food to help your underweight pup gain weight, look for formulas with high fat and protein levels. The calorie count per cup is also an important factor.
Veterinarians typically recommend selecting a dog food that contains at least 30% protein and 20% fat (1). This provides a calorie-dense food that can help underweight dogs gain weight safely and effectively.
Look for dog foods that contain 500-600 calories per cup for normal adult dogs. Small or senior dogs may only need 400-500 calories per cup. Large breed adult dogs may require 700-900 calories per cup (2).
Some top-rated high-calorie dog food options include:
- Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Formula (3)
- Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed (4)
- Miracle Vet High Calorie Weight Gainer (5)
Talk to your veterinarian to determine the ideal calorie intake and high-calorie dog food for your underweight pet. Providing a nutritionally balanced high-fat, high-protein diet is key for safe weight gain.
(1) https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/o/best-high-calorie-dog-food
(2) https://www.reddit.com/r/DogFood/comments/16jykg4/high_calorie_dog_food/
(3) https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Vet-High-Calorie-Weight/dp/B082GJ2JGZ
(4) https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-sport-performance/dp/38576
(5) https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/miracle-vet-high-calorie-weight-gainer-for-dogs
Homemade Weight Gain Recipes
There are a variety of healthy, high-calorie recipes you can make at home to help your dog gain weight. These recipes focus on nutrient-dense ingredients that provide healthy fats and extra calories. Some good options include:
Beef and Russet Potato Recipe:
This recipe from JustFoodForDogs contains ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, salmon oil, and other supplements. It’s high in protein and healthy fats.
Peanut Butter Dog Treats:
Combine cream cheese, peanut butter, and browned ground beef as outlined in this recipe from TopDogTips. The high fat content will add calories.
Chicken and Rice Casserole:
Cook chicken thighs with rice, carrots, peas, and olive oil. The olive oil adds healthy fat. Supplement with salmon oil.
Pumpkin and Yogurt Parfait:
Layer pumpkin puree, plain Greek yogurt, and chopped hard-boiled eggs. The eggs provide protein while the yogurt adds probiotics.
Oatmeal with Sardines:
Cook oatmeal in bone broth then mix in mashed sardines. Sprinkle brewer’s yeast on top for B vitamins.
Following nutritionally balanced recipes is important when preparing homemade food for weight gain. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Exercising an Underweight Dog
While exercise does burn calories, it is still important for underweight dogs to remain active. Exercise helps build lean muscle mass which is beneficial for increasing metabolism and overall body condition. However, the focus should be on low-impact activities to start.
Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise for underweight dogs. The water supports their body weight, reducing strain on joints. Start with short 5-10 minute sessions in the pool or lake and slowly build up duration as your dog’s stamina improves. Always monitor your dog while swimming and provide life jackets or flotation devices if needed.
Short, frequent walks are another good low-impact activity. Gradually increase the duration and distance over time as your dog becomes conditioned. Keep walks relaxed at an easy pace and avoid strenuous hikes. interactive games like fetch can also encourage movement without overexertion.
The key is starting slow and monitoring your underweight dog closely during exercise. Stop activity if they appear overly tired or fatigued. With time and patience, physical conditioning will improve without compromising calories needed for healthy weight gain.
Underlying Health Issues
There are a number of health problems that can cause weight loss or prevent weight gain in dogs. Some of the most common include:
Parasites: Intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms can interfere with nutrient absorption and cause weight loss. De-worming medication is needed to eliminate parasites.
Dental disease: Infected or painful teeth and gums can make eating difficult and lead to reduced appetite and weight loss. A veterinarian should examine the dog’s mouth and provide any needed dental care.
Cancer: Certain cancers like lymphoma or intestinal tumors can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abnormal weight loss. Diagnostic testing like bloodwork, imaging and biopsies are needed to identify cancer.
Malabsorption: Conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies prevent proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. Special diets, supplements or medications may be required.
If the underlying cause of your dog’s low weight cannot be determined, your veterinarian may recommend referral to a veterinary internal medicine specialist for additional diagnostic testing and treatment.
When to Worry About Obesity
Obesity can be just as dangerous for dogs as being underweight, and can shorten their lifespan significantly. Dogs are considered obese when they are 30% or more above their ideal weight. Obese dogs are at increased risk for many health problems like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, breathing issues, and cancer (vcahospitals.com, akc.org).
If your dog becomes obese, it’s important to get their weight back to normal through diet and exercise. Work with your vet to develop a weight loss plan. Drastically cutting calories can be dangerous, so aim for a gradual 1-2% loss per week. Once your dog reaches their ideal weight, reduce to a maintenance calorie level to prevent weight regain.
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight takes work, but it’s one of the best things you can do for their long-term health. Monitor their body condition regularly and adjust food accordingly. With your help, your dog can maintain an active, energetic lifestyle well into their senior years.