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Skinny German Shepherd

17 Questions

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December 26, 2018

We have a 1.5 year old female German Shepherd. She eats, but she looks like she is not gaining any weight. She has a high metabolism.

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When you pet her on her right side feels like you could feel a little bit of rib. What can be done? Should we be concerned?

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 27, 20180 found this helpful

This is a question for the vet. There are dog foods with extra calories.

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
December 27, 20180 found this helpful

I also believe this is a question for a vet as there could be several problems that can many times be easily corrected when you have a vet examine her.

She may have internal worms as this will sometimes affect their weight but a vet has quick medications for that problem.

Better to know for sure just in case it is getting worse the longer you wait.

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Be sure she does not have fleas as this can be a problem also.
The vet will also make sure she is up to date on her shots/vaccinations (a very important thing).

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
December 27, 20180 found this helpful

Every dog is different. Ask your vet for guidance and if needed info on the best food.

We have always had small dogs and our mini Doxie was perfect at 10 pounds and our tweener at 15. Both you could feel ribs, but the vet was good with them. Because Dachshunds can have back issues and extra weight can make it worse. Every breed is different.

Post back what you learn!

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 226 Feedbacks
December 28, 20180 found this helpful

I wouldn't worry about being able to feel a little bit of rib. But to say he is healthy is really a job for your Vet. There are just too many variables for someone who doesnt know your dog to say.

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That said, I used to get really annoyed when people pointed out the ribs showing on my daughters eventing horses. They were highly trained athletes in wonderful condition with the best care possible.

 
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March 15, 2017

My male German Shepherd is about 15 months old. He gets fed 3 cups of food twice a day and still looks very skinny. What can I do to make him gain weight?

German Shepherd Is Too Skinny - looking down on very thin dog
 

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Anonymous
September 6, 20170 found this helpful

Has your vet mentioned anything about an autoimmune disorder? I have a 2 year old we took in from another family. He has always been thin but he is a skeleton now. He had some wired neurological symptoms earlier this year.

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Former owner finally told me he was sick as a puppy and had been hospitalized with meningitis. After consulting with my vet and a specialist we now know that we are dealing with an autoimmune disorder.

 
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March 19, 2005

I have a beautiful German Shepherd named Bullett, he is 2, but to look at him, he looks like I do not feed him. He goes to the vet for his check ups and does not have worms, parasites, etc. He eats like a pig but will not put any weight on.



I have tried different foods but nothing is working. I know dogs are like people as far as some will be fat, some will just be skinny, but he is REALLY skinny, you can see his ribs, and his bones in the back. When I watch animal cops and see the dogs that they take away because they are being abused I say to my hubby, if they saw Bullett they would think the same thing.
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He goes outside, but he is an inside dog, I do not trust people (terrible to say) since three of my dogs were poisoned. I give him extra treats, he is a big spoiled baby but just plain skinny.

Joann

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Anonymous
March 17, 20110 found this helpful

My german shepherd is the exact same way!! I have spent over $1000 at two different vets and they cannot find anything wrong with him, but they both told me to feed him puppy food because it is higher in calories and there is a vitamin paste that you can buy from Petsmart or Petco, etc. and hopefully this will help my dog and yours!

 
April 4, 20110 found this helpful

We just 'rescued' a 2 year old GS. He is only 68 lbs - we found out from his records that he was 80 lbs when he was 9 mos old. He eats a raw diet (Majestic), eats like crazy. He's very active. No diarrhea. He is very thin and has lost muscle mass on his back and chest area.

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We are very concerned. The vet did some blood and stool tests and we're waiting for the results. I don't think it's his pancreas because he has no bulky stools or diarrhea.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 102 Feedbacks
July 16, 20120 found this helpful

No vaccines. His immune system may have been compromised. A homeopath would be a good start. No doubt he was vaccinated numerous times while at the shelter or the jail he was in. Good homeo for that is THUJA. Worms? easy to rid of intestinal worms by adding to his food, non harmful diatomacious earth. MUST be food grade. The other has poisons in it. D E - Small amounts, often. Helps with many things. Google it.

 
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February 27, 2016

Roxy turned nine back in September, but she has been awfully skinny for the past few years. Lately it seems worse than usually. She has long fur, so it's hard to tell unless you pet her. She's probably around 45 pounds. She hardly eats her food without us putting something in it to make her want to. And even since she was probably around three or four, she goes out to poop a lot.

Skinny German Shepherd
 

Is it actually normal for a dog of her weight to have to go poop four or five times a day, if not more? Yesterday she had diarrhea. She's going to the vet today at 11, so we're hoping for at least some result (although the there hasn't been in years). Do you guys have some weight gain tips for her or have anything I should have the vet check for?

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February 29, 20160 found this helpful

Check her for worms.

 
March 1, 20161 found this helpful

Hmmm... She does seem underweight and I think she is going too often.
I assume you have tried a grain-free, soy free food for her to help rule out allergies.

Apparently German Shepherds are prone to Inflammatory Bowel Disease, so have them check for that.
insidethegermanshepherddogsworld.../.../inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd.html

 
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August 5, 2014

I rescued a adult German Shepherd named Big Guy, from the pound. When I got him he would not eat and was afraid of everyone and everything. I have had him for about 8 months he seems to have built a trust relationship with me. He eats all of his food now and weighs about 80 lbs, but I can still see his ribs and his hip bones. What can I do to get him to gain fat and muscle. The vet told me he is perfectly healthy and is at a healthy weight, but probably he just needs to gain some muscle.

By Sharon

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 226 Feedbacks
August 6, 20140 found this helpful

A lot of running and playing at the dog park will build some muscle. Hiking is good too.

 
August 7, 20140 found this helpful

We have had 5 G/S dogs ranging from 65 lbs to 105. Make sure you always leave a bowl with dry food so he can eat whenever he is hungry. Running or just plain walking will build muscle. Buy an inexpensive tennis ball and play with him. The muscle will come in time.

 
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August 20, 2015

My Shepherd just turned a year. He was the runt and has always been kind of small, even though everyone who sees him says "wow he is going to be a big boy". He is long and has always been on the slender side, but still looked healthy. He has had food allergies since he was a pup and it took me a long time to find a food he would not throw up. I recently changed from puppy to adult food and found something that seems OK, but over the last couple of months he looks too skinny. You can even see his ribs a little.

He eats but not a lot. He is still very active and energetic, but it worries me. I tried adding some wet food to the dry and he threw up really badly, even acid, after he lost everything he ate that day. I am back to straight dry food, lamb and rice seems to sit well with him, but is there something else I can do or anything I should be concerned about? Please help. He is my baby and I don't want anything to happen to him. He is up to date on shots.

Answers

August 20, 20150 found this helpful

Just feed him what he can tolerate.
Dogs and cats are like humans- being overweight can shorten their lifespan, but eating a calorie-restricted diet can actually prolong life.
If someone thinks you aren't feeding him, just say he has food allergies and won't tolerate most foods.

 
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December 10, 2013

I have female German Shepherd, she is 7 months old and looks very weak and skinny. She's having milk, eggs, and dog food, but still not putting on weight and she is under weight. What should I give her to eat or supplement ?

By Varun

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December 12, 20130 found this helpful

Have you taken it to a vet? If not, you need to. It may have worms, which it sounds like to me. Only a vet check will be able to tell. Good Luck.

 
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December 30, 2010

I have a beautiful German Shepherd named Bullett, he is 2, but to look at him, he looks like I do not feed him. He goes to the vet for his check ups and does not have worms, parasites, etc. He eats like a pig but will not put any weight on.

 
Read More...

December 1, 2009

My German shepherd won't eat. Please help.

 
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