He is 16 weeks old. Went to the vet and she said he is too skinny and should eat more. I feed him good food (Wellness Puppy Formula) 4 times a day, so it is not the food that is the problem. The problem is that he is more interested in playing than eating. Any suggestions as to what I can do?
Feed him twice a day instead of four times. Buy a good, high quality puppy food made for small and medium sized puppies. Feed him the amount recommended on the side of the bag (be sure to measure it-not just guess) for his age and weight. If he doesn't finish it within 15 minutes, pick it up and wait until the next meal. It may seem to be the opposite of what you should do, but it will make him actually hungry at mealtimes and he will eat all of his food at once. As weird as it sounds, if you feed more than the recommended amount then your pup may have diarrhea which will obviously cause him to lose weight instead of gaining.
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April 1st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Try crating him when eating so he has to concentrate on eating. Or shut him in a room with the food for 1/2 hour before you let him out.
Sounds like he's too distracted.
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April 1st, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Get it a good canned food and mix it with the dry food. And make sure it is dewormed.
But some dogs are just skinny, they don't fill out till they are a few years old. I have a nice poodle here and she is such a skinny girl. She eats the same as her younger sister who is normal sized.
Better to be thin than fat!
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April 1st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Was he checked for worms? I have a rescue rat terrier here with me that is the same way. Worm free, healthy, but so darn active that he remains thin on a decent amount of food. I almost have to overfeed him so he doesn't lose weight. You can try adding high cal treats too. There is a recipe online for a "doggie meatball" that you make. Very good for them and high cal to help put on weight. Maybe try feeding him less often. If he knows it is availiable 4 times a day, he may decide to skip instead of eat. At 4 months you can do 3 or even 2 feedings a day (same amount of food overall).
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April 1st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I guess the puppy is wormed as you seen the Vet.Find a good can food and mix just a little in with the dry food.I have to do that with my dogs.Also make shure there are nobody around to distracted him.Terriers are full of energy and always in to some so it would help to keep him by himself at eating time.You can also warn the can food a little that makes it smell better for him.Dogs love good smelling food.God luck and God bless
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LOcal Shelter
April 1st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Feed him twice a day instead of four times. Buy a good, high quality puppy food made for small and medium sized puppies. Feed him the amount recommended on the side of the bag (be sure to measure it-not just guess) for his age and weight. If he doesn't finish it within 15 minutes, pick it up and wait until the next meal. It may seem to be the opposite of what you should do, but it will make him actually hungry at mealtimes and he will eat all of his food at once. As weird as it sounds, if you feed more than the recommended amount then your pup may have diarrhea which will obviously cause him to lose weight instead of gaining.
References :
April 1st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Your right its not the food. You have to worm him if you haven't.
When you buy the worm medicine don't buy the pill, make sure you buy the liquid formula. You will take the medicine and eject it through his mouth. You should also get some fatty acids.
Here is a site you check out
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http://healthy-animals.blogspot.com/
April 1st, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I have a six year old JRT. They are very energetic dogs and stay that way for years. Try feeding when your dog is at his calmest and is less likely to be bothered by any distractions. You can also try feeding smaller meals more frequently.
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April 1st, 2009 at 5:30 pm
If he's hunrgry, he'll eat.
Worm him.
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I own, show, work, and study Jack Russell Terriers.