Is my rott underweight?

[dpage]

I have a male rott that turned 4 months on May 6. He is 35lbs and I'm worried he's underweight. I feed him 3 cups of Innova a day and I was wondering if maybe I should increase the amount. Should I increase the amount or stick with 3 cups a day?

[AngelBunny]

Perhaps the illustrations in these will help. They focus on adults dogs but they'll give you an idea.

Evaluating your dog's weight

Body Conditioning System

Is Your Dog Fat? (I know your puppy isn't fat, but there are pix which is why I posted it.)

[brunie's mom]

He sounds like a good weight to me....that's within a healthy range. Are you feeding the Large Breed Innova? or the Adult Innova? The Adult Innova is high in calories...about 556 calories per cup....so that is almost 1,700 calories per day for your pup, that should be plenty.
If it's the Large Breed...it's lower in calories...and you can feed him more..just try giving 1/2 cup more per day. Do you feed any fresh foods? such as eggs, or cottage cheese, or canned sardines, or lean meats, or yogurt? Try adding a bit of fresh food instead of increasing the kibble if you think he is looking thin.

Weight does not mean he is underweight, he could be smaller boned...or just a late starter. Has he got ribs showing? How is his energy level?
I think slim puppies do far better, as well as the slow growers...they tend to have less orthopedic problems later in life.

Gina

[4zenuff]

I sure hope not because My 4 month old is 33 lbs and I think she looks good. Yes, she seems smaller (not thin) than I think she should be, but she looks good and the vet has given her approval (healthy). I really wouldn't be too worried, especially if you check out the sites Angelbunny provided and if his vet says he's healthy.

You don't want your puppy to be too big/fat.

[Zumie05]

My guy was about that size at that age also. The average is 10lbs gained per month, and at 4 months the average would be 40lbs. My pup didn't really start matching that average weight gain until he hit about 6 months. By 6 months he was in the 60s, and now at 8 months he is exactly 80lbs.

Even if you do end up with a smaller dog, you just might have a smaller rottie. No big deal, just make sure your dog has a waist line and you can easily feel the ribs. It isn't a good thing to be over weight!

[dpage]

I'm relieved to hear he isn't underweight. He just seemed thin in the hips to me but I'm sure it's nothing. I feed him innova adult and I was also wondering at what age or weight would it be good to increase the amount of food. Also, is 110 lbs the ideal weight to maintain them once they're adults. What is the average ultimate weight for a rott?

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by dpage

...is 110 lbs the ideal weight to maintain them once they're adults.

The ideal weight for any Rottie is what suits the dog's frame, energy level, and orthopedic condition.

I have a bitch that's 65 or so lbs. I have another bitch who's 82 lbs. The weights of both girls are perfect for each of them. It all depends on the dog.

Too many owners get hung up on meaningless considerations of weight, worrying their puppy is too small/too thin/not keeping up with the other puppies in the litter. All of this is a waste of time and not productive--focus on your puppy and what's right for your puppy and forget about anything else.

Originally Posted by dpage

What is the average ultimate weight for a rott?

A meaningless, not very useful question.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by dpage

I'm relieved to hear he isn't underweight. He just seemed thin in the hips to me but I'm sure it's nothing. I feed him innova adult and I was also wondering at what age or weight would it be good to increase the amount of food. Also, is 110 lbs the ideal weight to maintain them once they're adults. What is the average ultimate weight for a rott?

He's still a puppy...he has more growing to do. He may look thin in the hips one month, then thin in the chest the next.
You are feeding him plenty of food. I never fed more then 3 cups of Innova to my puppy...even when he reached maturity..never more then 3 cups.

Your pup will grow into what it is programmed genetically to grow...it depends on the size of his sire and dam,etc.
Just make sure he grows slow and steady, and don't allow him to become over weight.

Gina

[leftystar]

I have kept up with my dogs weight on the calendar and at hoss's 4th month he weighed 53 lbs on canidae