If your dog is too thin, these are the key foods to help him gain weight

For pet owners with a furry friend who is not food motivated, ensuring they stay at a healthy weight can be a serious challenge.

First and foremost, there are two types of cases that we will focus on.

If there are sudden changes in the weight of your dog, you should see your veterinarian, as that could be a symptom of a more serious health issue. Though it can affect dogs of all ages, older dogs, might suffer from “decreased nutritional intake,” which, according to VCA Animal Hospitals, can be the result of ”loss of smell, inability to grasp or chew food, swallowing disorders, or regurgitation."

Additionally, VCA points to malabsorptive disorders that could keep your dog from absorbing nutrients during the digestive process as another reason why your dog might be losing weight quickly. Some of these disorders include inflammatory bowel disease, lymphangiectasia, or parasites.

Slow and steady wins the race

Once underlying issues have been ruled out, your veterinarian might suggest some of these tried-and-true methods. Nevertheless, speaking with your dog’s vet might help identify which strategies might work best for your pooch.

Just like humans, it will take creating a calorie surplus for your dog for them to put on some weight. Pet Honesty provides some helpful advice for those on this journey. Instead of overloading your dogs digestive system, it might be more effective to provide them with “smaller portions multiple times a day.”

Slow and steady wins the race with this process, as overseeing your dog can be very dangerous, especially if your dog is emaciated. “Feeding too much food too fast is actually dangerous and can cause serious illness like refeeding syndrome," warns the pet blog.

What to look for when shopping for pet food

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Beyond Pets warns those seeking a new high-calorie, high-quality pet food for their dog to be wary of brands that tout weight gain or muscle maintenance benefits. Instead, the veteranitan organization advises owners to look for a chow with a “minimum of 22% protein and 18% fat.” Wet food, or simple home-cooked meals for your pooch, might be more appealing to their palate and help to increase their caloric intake as well.

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