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Weight gain

2K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  TegansMyBoy 
#1 ·
Hey guys!

Lyla has lost some weight recently, I think she's just not eating enough food. I feed her 5 cups a day but apparently she's expending more energy lately, which would make sense cause we are temporarily staying at a house with a yard and she's been zooming around like crazy chasing squirrels and birds and tegan (under supervision! ;))
anyway, I know the logical thing is more kibble, but they eat TOTW and I already spend $150 a month on dog food on my limited budget as a student. So, I was wondering if there were some more cost effective foods (organic "human food") that I can feed her that won't cost me and arm and a leg but won't hurt her. We've been doing peanut butter in a kong for a few days now... But any other foods that I can add to her diet that would be healthy and help her put on weight? Eggs perhaps? I also think she gets bored of her kibble... So maybe I'm spoiling her a little, too lol
thanks for suggestions!!
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#2 ·
I wouldn't even attempt to offer nutritional advice for weight gain, especially in a giant breed. (I think Lyla is your Great Dane) Have you had Lyla to the Vet lately, just to rule out other possible causes of her weight loss?

I've read a bit about "Satin Balls" but some of the ingredients scare the bajeebees out of me. Maybe google it and ask your Vet if he recommends anything that drastic?
 
#3 ·
Yeah that's why i came here, I wanted to
be careful cause Danes have sensitive systems... I will ask my vet, but I was wondering if anyone else had any ideas. I want to get her in for a worms test though, because 5 cups should be enough for her I would think....

So, keeping that in mind, anyone else have advice? I'm also asking at a Dane specific forum, but this one is more active :)
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#4 ·
5 cups does not seen excessive to me - Billy (Boxer, nearly 6yrs) has 4 cups a day.

I sometimes feed him satin balls to him, when he really needs to gain. My version are just beef mince, oil and grated cheese. Maybe that is something you could try. Oh and I also use a supplement for him from a health store - it is just called weight gain for dogs.

Good luck & please keep us all posted.
 
#5 ·
5 cups seems like the most i would feed a day. my larger girl gets 4 at the most, and i recently just cut her back a little because she was getting a little porky on me. how much does she weigh? personally, if shes at any weight like she is in your photos, she looks perfect. if her activity just increased, it would make sense for her to lose a little. i would just give a few extra treats if youre not going to be staying at that home for long and her activity level will return to its normal level shortly. with 5 cups of food and a sudden increase in activity, i wouldnt want to increase it much more at all. treats are high in calories (usually) and will most likely fill in anything shes losing running the yard.


by the way, are you on a horse forum? your photo with your horse looks very familiar.
 
#6 ·
Okay thanks greatdanemom!! You were exactly the person I was hoping to hear from :) she has lost probably 10lbs sine those photos, her ribs are too aparent for my taste. The trim waist is fine but it's her hips and ribs and shoulder blades that are protruding too far. I was feeding her 4 cups a day but increased it to 5 after last vet visit, she had lost 4 lbs since march which freaked me out. I think along with the increased play in the yard being a very obvious reason I'm going to get her checked for worms cause she is from the shelter and I never got her tested at her initial vet visit. (duuuumb I know!!)

and yes I am a member of horse forum :) balidoll is my name over there!
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#8 ·
my lexi is 30-some" tall (i think i estimated the best around 34")... its hard to measure her because shes always trying to look at the measuring tape!... and shes around 125lbs usually. def. get her checked for worms since she hasnt been already. how long ago was the last vet visit that you increased her food? did she look like she was beginning to put on weight until her activity increased? if so, give her treats!
 
#9 ·
I think she was looking good until the increased activity, but my boyfriend disagrees... so who knows. The vet check that she had her food increased was in middle of May. She's going to be scheduled for a worms check tomorrow. It frustrates me shelters don't screen/test for worms, I had no idea until reading about it a couple weeks ago. It seems like something that is contagious like that would be looked out for, but I guess they aren't really concerned with their health as long as they get a home in city shelters.... they told me she could be going blind when I got her, turns out it's just her third eyelid being overly visible in both eyes and she's fine. (thank god!) City shelters are both the best and worst place to get dogs.....

Anyways, thanks for the help, I'll keep you all posted. She has been getting treats today, she is liking it. haha
 
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