what should i feed dog ? Underweight.

[annistonsmommy]

Hello All!!

Anniston is not gaining any weight, He has been at 79 pds for the past 3 months and its worrying me. He is now a year old. I feed him 4 cups of dry food a day. He seems to nibble at it though, not eating it in all one sitting. Could it be the brand of food im feeding him ? What is the BEST brand out there. He has a beatiful full front, but his back is scrawny looking. Please help.


Renee

[palepeople]

Check out this thread. http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...threadid=11229
You can find out a lot by checking the previous threads. That's what I have been doing. Once you've checked out some of the previous post, you should have plenty of information.:) If you still have questions, then I'm sure you'll get some good advice from the forum members. They are very, very helpful. Good luck on the weight problem.:)

[Homerhomer]

what brand are you feeding now?

[DixieGrl113]

Depending on the size of your dog..79 lbs might not be a bad thing. Can you see ribs or hip bones? Does he have a *thin* layer of fat over the rib cage (good) or no fat (bad). My male will be 11 mos on Feb 10th and he probably weighs around 75-80 lbs. (He was 70lbs last time at the vet @8mos old) And this is a perfect weight for him and his height. My first suggestion would be to feed the best food you can. The higher the quality the more nutrition he will he from it because higher quality ingredients are more digestable and better utilized. Some of the premium kibbles I've seen members recommend would be Canidae, Innova, Health Wise, California Natural, Flint River Ranch, Wysong. Also remember that at a year most males will still look 2 dimensional. (steam roller effect;) ) While they might be at a good healthy weight they will still not be as filled out yet. Roxanne's breeder told me that they get most of their "width" in their second year. I have found this to be accurate so far with all of my Rotts. You also said that he has a beautiful front and scrawny back, maybe you would do well to excercise him more. Muscle tone always help a dog look fuller I think. Maybe its just me but I love to see a correct looking Rott in great shape with great muscle tone. Good luck to you! I know someone else will jump in and shed soem more light on it for you..

[annistonsmommy]

I am going to try and feed him some better dog food. This morning I gave him Tuna and potatoes and he loved it. It was gone in secinds. I do walk with him everynight , usually about 30 minutes. I am now going to start playing with him in yard, we finally got it fenced in. I fugure some ball throwing and chancing fro about 20 mintues should be fun for him. Where do you get this canidae from ? The pet store ? I have never seen it.


Thanks much !!!


Renee

[Terrie]

Renee,
My male weighed 80lbs. when he was 6 months old All I could think was "Oh my God what am I going to do with this huge dog" At 1yr. he weighed 82lbs. He was like a gauky teen all head no body. I was told by our vet that he was at his maximum height and would now start to broaden out. He's now 2.4y/o, 105 lbs and is proportioned beautifully.

Go to www.canidae.com and click on the store locator tab or call them for a distributer in your area. Most national pet supply stores, in my area anyway, don't carry it or don't know what canidae is. I found a independently owned pet store who orders it for me. You may be shocked by how much it is(about $31/40lbs. here) but because it's a super premium kibble you feed less of it so it will last longer. My previous food lasted me about 25 days, give or take a day. With the canidae I'm at a month and still counting:D just placed my order for a new bag. I don't leave food for him all day anymore either. He is fed twice a day 2 cups each feeding.

Palepeople is right;), browse this site you will find fantasic information. My dog was picky about eating too, little bits here and there all day. A member(sorry I forgot who it was:o ) said that they add a teaspoon or 2 of live active culture plain yogurt and chopped veggies and the food is gone in a flash. I now do this and he eats it all in less than 5 minutes and the benefits of the fruit, veggies and yogurt are great.

If you can't find the Canidae, I've read Innova & Solid Gold mentioned a lot too.

Good luck,
Terrie:)

[RottiMomCT]

I adopted Ben when he was 10 months and he weighed 80lbs..he's now almost 3yrs and weighs 85lbs...he's not the biggest guy in the house, but he's certainly the most correct in weight and proportion!

It depends on the food you feed...if he's picking at it...take it away from him after about 10 minutes, he's out of luck 'til the next feeding. Sounds cruel, but if's truly hungry, he'll eat!!

Just like Terrie said - they grow UP before they grow OUT...he'll get tall before he gets wide...and they sure can look silly at that stage but it's owrth the wait!! Just make sure h'e sgetting enough exercise and food...you don't want to over feed him so he looks like a potato! No waist and round is not a good look....they waddle and it's tough on their joints to carry all the extra weight.

If he's healthy but his back end is a bit undermuscled...maybe more exercise is in order!!

[annistonsmommy]

I was just outside with and we played ball, but it is so hot today ( i live inFla) That i had to bring him in. he was worn out after only 10 minutes. Im going to check in on that canidae food. I am going to add fruit and veggies as well and some yogurt. This is my first Rott and i had no idea they dont really fill out til about 2 or so. I cant wait though, ims ure he will look awesome!!!

[JonandMichelle]

You can not mask genetics;) Feeding a **growing** Rottweiler more because you would like him to gain weight isn't the best thing to do. You should feed a high quality kibble; with the proper amount. Never try to make a dog "bigger or fatter." Let your pup (yes, he's still a puppy) grow into his genetic makeup. Not all Rottweilers weigh in at 110-130 lbs.

Good luck:)

[work2preserverotties]

:) try cooking for your dog. i give chicken livers and lamb kidneys that i boil for a few minutes. i also give my former 'skinny' boy artemis power formula-30% protein 20%fat. he didnt keep much wieght on before this now hes 4 lbs heaver and looks better. he gets 6-8 cups a day but works it off running all day with his dam

[DixieGrl113]

work2preserverotties said:

try cooking for your dog. i give chicken livers and lamb kidneys that i boil for a few minutes. i also give my former 'skinny' boy artemis power formula-30% protein 20%fat. he didnt keep much wieght on before this now hes 4 lbs heaver and looks better. he gets 6-8 cups a day but works it off running all day with his dam

Do you feed that in addition to kibble or exclusively?