How To Fatten Up Your Dog

How to Fatten Up Your Dog? Well, there are a number of ways you can fatten up your dog, as you will get to find out in this article.

However, if you’ve noticed that your dog has suddenly lost a lot of weight, it is important that you take them to see the vet instead of trying to self-medicate. That said, let’s get into the article.

What Could Cause A Dog To Be Underweight?

• Stress
• Loss of appetite
• Eating low quality food
• Illness
• Late or no vaccination

There are various reasons why your dog could be underweight. Some dogs are underweight as a result of stress. Dogs are not so different from humans in this as they also react negatively to stress.

When dogs are stressed, they become agitated and upset and that could negatively impact on their weight.

Another reason why your dog might be underweight is a loss of appetite. Your dog could lose their appetite if they are picky eaters. And dogs that are picky almost always do without touching any meal that they do not fancy.

Feeding your dog low quality food could also put them at the risk of getting underweight. Just like with humans, the absence of the requisite nutrients in a low quality food will always lead to a poor health status. 

Another thing that could make a dog underweight is if they are ill. Sick dogs will most times lose their appetite and, as we have already pointed out, no food is a recipe for low body weight.

Finally, late or no vaccination or medication can also be responsible for weight loss.

The vaccines and medications that dogs are given by the veterinarian have their own importance and this is more reason why the dogs should not be deprived of these.

That said, while we have identified the different reasons why a dog could be underweight, it is important that you take your dog to the veterinarian to ascertain for sure what is (are) responsible for your dog’s issues.

Consequences Of A Dog Being Underweight

• Poorly functioning internal organs.
• Hair loss
• Muscle loss
• Low fertility rate.

To start with, underweight dogs mostly have their internal organs not working optimally. Thin or underweight dogs, most times, have their heart, liver and kidney working sub optimally. This occurs as a result of most underweight dogs having a low BMI.

Another thing that could result from your dog being underweight is the fact that such dogs are likely to suffer hair loss.

A dog being underweight could also result in the dog experiencing muscle loss. This is really not a good one for such dogs as it can lead to them having other health related issues.

Lastly, a dog being overweight (especially female) could lead to lower fertility rate.

How To Make Your Dog Get Fatter

In a bid to get a good and effective solution, it is important that you consult your veterinarian as they are in the best position to advise you accordingly. Veterinarians are also the ones that will give you tips on how to help your dog achieve a healthy (and not excess) weight.

Another thing you could do to make your dog add up some is to change your dog’s diet. More often than not, a dog’s eating pattern is responsible for their weight.

So, if you switch things up and invest in some quality stuff, you might start to see your dog plump right up.

Dogs could get bored with their food when they are made to eat the same thing over and over.

You could also introduce supplements into your dog’s diet. Giving them vitamin supplements could help normalize their metabolism, allowing them to gain some weight.

It is also important that you introduce more calorie-dense ingredients into their meals. It doesn’t really cost too much to introduce extra protein and vitamins into your dog’s food as it helps to ensure they are healthy.

You also want to make sure that all your dog’s vaccinations are up to date. This is important, not only for weight gain, but for the general wellbeing of your dog.

The last and probably most important of the ways to get your dog to a healthy weight is by going through this process patiently.

Do not rush this process and do not overdo it either, as it may result in your dog becoming overweight.

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How To Fatten Up Your Dog — FAQs

Can Rice Help A Dog Gain Weight?

Rice can help a dog gain weight, considering that it is rich in carbohydrates and is an OK food for dogs.

However, while you might want your dog to gain weight, you certainly do not want them to become overweight, which is something that will happen if you feed your dog too much carbs.

So, if you want to feed your dog rice (cooked and plain, of course), you’ll have to reduce the ration of dog food you give him because dog foods already contain healthy amounts of carbs.

Why Is My Dog So Skinny Even Though He Eats?

There are a number of reasons why your dog could still be skinny even though he eats:

• The food brand you feed him isn’t a quality one.
• You are not giving him as much as he needs.
• He has worms or some kind of parasite.
• He is sick.

Whatever the case, get in contact with your vet.

Is It Normal For Dogs To Lose Weight As They Get Older?

It could be normal for dogs to lose weight as they get older, especially if they are becoming seniors. The weight loss could be because they eat less or have become less active and so have lost muscle mass.

However, if your dog loses weight drastically, that is not normal and you want to inform your vet as soon as possible.

Do Dogs Pant When They Are Overweight?

Overweight dogs would pant quicker and more often than dogs of a normal weight. However, they do not just sit around and pant. They pant when they are involved in some sort of activity. It’s just that it will take less for an overweight dog to pant than a dog of regular weight.

Will Eggs Help My Dog Gain Weight?

Feeding your dog eggs will certainly help them gain weight, eventually. That said, if you’ll be giving your dog eggs, do not feed them raw eggs. You could cook, scramble or whatever but certainly not raw.

Also, if you’ll be introducing eggs to your dog’s diet, you might have to reduce their regular food portion so that your dog does not overeat.

How Can I Tell If My Dog Is Overweight?

To tell if your dog is overweight, feel around their rribs. You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs without a thick layer of fat. If you can’t feel the ribs at all, your dog is overweight. If you can feel the ribs too much (like you’re directly touching them), your dog is underweight.

Also, a dog that is of a normal weight should have some sort of waist definition. Their chest should be broader than their waist. If it’s the other way around with your dog, they are probably overweight.

That said, if you’re having this kind of concern, speak with your vet.