[frontierrots]

I posted this to you on the foster list but thought I'd post it here to in case any one else was interested :)

Subject:_ DOG DIETS weight gain


Generally what works well is to feed primarily a higher calorie premium food. Should be 24-26% protein and 14-16% fat and contain 490 - 550 calories per cup

I have had excellent luck with the Healthwise which is 25% protein, 15% fat and 536 cal/cup This is what I feed normally too. (my boys get 4.5- 6 cups a day and the girls get 3-4 cups a day)

Dogs that need to gain weight need to be fed 1-3 cups more per day than you would normally feed a dog that size.

Watch the stools and if the dog gets sloppy stool back up the quantity a bit and after a few days try to increase the food quantity slower

Some dogs simply cannot tolerate that much kibble and get diarrhea no matter what (or just won't eat that much kibble) and those dogs often do better if fed a base ration of kibble and add a homemade mix to it. Homemade mix recipie below. Start with 1 cup of mix added to each meal of kibble and increase slowly until steady gain is noticed. Then
hold that level and watch weight and stool quality

Homemade mix
4 lbs 75% lean hamburger
2 lbs ground turkey OR chicken
1 can pink salmon (the bones are fine)
4-6 sweet potatoes cooked and mashed
1 package of shredded cheese
OPTIONAL 4 cups cooked macaroni elbows, spaghetti etc.

Mix well and divide into 1 cup patties and freeze. Thaw as needed