Too thin = Puppy food to gain weight?

[Mega's Mom]

Whew! Like others, I'm so glad someone started this thread. Cornelius will be 5 months next Tuesday and he only weighs 34 pounds. Plus I can see his hip bones. He is NOT a good eater (he's on California Natural Puppy Formula) but I have to add a lot of mix-ins (cheese, yogurt, gravy, canned food, etc.) and sometimes he still doesn't eat. I'm definitely going to start changing him over to adult food. Chicken Soup if I can find it or Wellness. I think maybe California Natural is too plain for him?? Gmacleod - was I right in reading your post that after about 5-6 months, puppies start to fill out not up? Are they done growing taller at this point? Cornelius seems like a little (short) tyke

[Bobbi_B]

Wow! I think I need to be getting Scooby off the puppy food lol
I'm definately not as worried about Diesel now though...I can see his ribs just a little bit

[Jan]

Originally Posted by Mega's Mom

was I right in reading your post that after about 5-6 months, puppies start to fill out not up?

Actually Boxers grow upwards until about 18 months to 2 years and then they start filling out. They will usually reach their adult size by about 3 years of age.

[Mega's Mom]

Thanks, Jan. I guess Cornelius won't be in this gangly / skinny stage forever then!! But darn, I wish he would eat!

[Kaybie's Mom]

I don't think your pup is underweight. Kaybie is about 33 pounds at 5 months old and our vet says she is growing just as she should be. She is tall and gangly right now but that is just a stage. Our vet says she is a perfect weight for her age and is growing at a normal rate. I wouldn't worry too much. =)

[gmacleod]

Originally Posted by Mega's Mom

Gmacleod - was I right in reading your post that after about 5-6 months, puppies start to fill out not up? Are they done growing taller at this point?

LOL - no. My remark in this particular case about a 5 month old filling out a bit was made because this puppy has had a bad case of worms which he has just been treated for. The "filling out" in this case is simply because he is now parasite free and no longer sharing his food.

Boxers don't finish growing in height until around 14-18 months, and real "filling out" takes until somewhere between 2-3 years. A great many pups remain ribby until after the upward growth is all finished, and there's nothing you can do about that except let nature take it's course. It is far better for a pup to be ribby than ever to end overweight.

[KDozier]

Brutus is coming on 4 months now and I know exactly how you guys feel. When we got him we were feeding Iams(I know). Well now he's on Nutro Ultra Adult which isn't the best food around but is pretty good. Since we have noticed a steady growing rate, high energy levels, and a soft shiny coat. You're doing the right thing by finding a good premium food for your furbaby.

I measure Brutus's growth by how often I have to adjust his collar so it will fit. It's fun to see how much he has grown time to time.

[jksjkc]

I started adding a Tbsp of flaxseed oil to Butch's food. I heard it's good for their coat and will add some healthy calories and fat to thier diet.
I also eat Tbsp a day because those EFA's keep your metabolism strong.

He likes the taste. It takes everything in me to get it down.

[Kajin]

My puppies seemed to be very skinny as well. Diesel was 36lbs at 6 months, Kajin was a little more but he was much taller. I don't think there is anything wrong as long as the baby is eating and otherwise is healthy. Kajin was so skinny we were scared to look at his ribs hehe. He was eating a lot though (we switched to adult food at 4 months) and we just decided to wait. He is gaining more weight now as he sort of reached his height.

Try not to worry - everything will be fine.

[Sweet Ginny]

Thanks so much for this thread! I was just thinking this morning that Ginny seems so skinny. She eats and eats (Canidae--love it) but still looks like a mosquito!

I am glad I am not the only one who worries people will think I am starving my baby!!