As it happens with people, dogs also find it hard to gain weight sometimes, this is usually a great concern for their owners, who do not know what to do when their pet loses its appetite.
There are many causes that can lead to your dog being skinny and losing muscle mass, such as certain diseases and parasites, consult your veterinarian to rule out all possible causes.
If you are concerned about your dog’s weight loss and want to know what you can do to help him gain muscle mass and have a healthy weight, read the following recommendations we have prepared for you.
Table of Contents
1- My dog eats little and is very skinny.
It is a worrying factor, that your dog has had a healthy weight and suddenly loses weight quickly, this should be analyzed by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
If your dog is not in the weight range he should be, you must help him to recover progressively, do not expect immediate results. Before doing anything, you should know the possible causes of your dog’s loss of appetite.
2- Parasites
Parasites can cause a drastic weight loss in your dog, since they steal nutrients from food, causing a considerable weight loss in a short time. In addition, parasites cause bloating and, therefore, thinness can also derive from that.
3- Stress
This is one of the most common causes of loss of appetite and weight loss in pets. A change in the family environment, a separation or a bereavement, are some of the factors that trigger nervousness or stress in your dog, to the point of making him lose weight.
This cause is the most difficult to detect. You must be alert to your dog’s behavior, if there is any change at home, make him feel secure and confident that everything will be all right.
One out of three dogs suffer from anxiety, if you think your dog may suffer from it in this post we tell you the symptoms and how you can help him to calm his anxiety.
4- A bad diet
A bad diet poor in vitamins and minerals necessary for the good development of your dog, is an important factor in weight loss.
Consult your veterinarian to know the best feeding alternatives for your dog.
5- What do I give my dog to make him put on weight?
If you already know what causes your dog to lose weight, you can look for treatment and other solutions so that your pet can regain its normal weight and increase its muscle mass, so that it can be an active and healthy dog again.
6- Feeding
This is the most important thing, your dog’s diet must have all the nutrients it needs to gain weight. Remember, it is not only about the quantity of food, but the quality of it.
His diet should include about 12% to 23% protein in each meal. There are also foods that are special for dogs with nutritional problems, and that contain minerals and vitamins that the dog needs to supplement his diet.
You can increase the frequency of meals, but as we already warned you, do not abuse the quantity. It is better to invest in quality food that provides the nutrients he needs. Be patient, remember that it is a slow and progressive process.
7- Exercise
It may sound contradictory that in order for your dog to gain weight he must exercise, but this is very good for him to gain muscle mass and not only gain weight because of the fat in the food.
In addition to this, exercise will make your dog feel hungrier. Exercise progressively, remember that the animal must consume more calories and not lose them.
