Need to fatten up 3 month old male

[Rebel's mom]

undefinedundefined My Rebel is 3 months old now. He is at 20 lbs. He is sooo skinny looking to me. I feed him Royal Canin Maxi 33 LB Puppy dry and Nutro Choice puppy chunks in the can. I can feel his little ribs. He is soooooo energetic and I know Goldens burn off a lot of energy, but I am a little concerned. The vet said he would be a smaller golden, which is ok, but if he ever grows into his feet, he won't be small!! What do you all use to put weight on a dog?? I just feel like I am missing the boat somewhere. Help!!! :woofpup

Nancy,
Rebel's mom

[Jo Ellen]

Do you have a picture you can share?

I heard oatmeal is good for putting weight on .... maybe a cup of oatmeal a day? You want to be careful with the calcium ratio for growing pups -- too much calcium may not be good for growing bones.

Anyone else here who has tried oatmeal for gaining weight?

[JsMom]

I don't think 20lbs. at 3 months is bad - depends on his frame. How much are you feeding him?

Griff is 3 months - 25 lbs. but he's got some of that English bone in there - he eats 2 1/2 - 3 cups of food a day now. I'm home with him so he really doesn't have any set time to eat - when I see his bowl empty I put in another cup. He mostly eats after he plays which I like as I worry about bloat.

[Rebel's mom]

Rebel is not big or rather a wide Golden. He is rather slim. However, his feet are huge. I free feed him now. He eats about 3 cups per day. Somedays are less and some are more. I usually see a shorter legged, longer haired, fatter golden. Maybe it is just the stage he is going thru. This is my first Golden! I just want to do what is right for him. Thanks so much!!
Nancy,
Rebel's mom

[JsMom]

I would go by what the Vet tells you - if Vet says his weight's OK then so be it. If you're free-feeding him then he's not hungry. They are getting to the gangly stage now - my first Golden got downright ugly at this stage - but it was so short lived - if I didn't have the photos, I wouldn't remember it!

This is him at 3-4 months:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/aragog62/GawkyPuppyJake.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/aragog62/GawkyPuppy3.jpg

1 year
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/aragog62/BirthdayFrisbee.jpg

Somewhere between3 & 5
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v390/aragog62/JakeChristmas.jpg

It's a funny stage - all legs and ears - but they grow into them! :p

Forgot to mention - Jake was also free-fed - he topped out at his heaviest 65-68lbs. Not a big Golden at all.

This is my 3 month old Griffyn - it's hard to get photos as he's always moving!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v390/aragog62/?action=view&current=IM000371.flv

Let's see Rebel!

[Sammy in Tulsa]

Blaze is three months old, and looks pretty skinny to me - especially next to Ricky. But Ricky is on thyroid medicine because he tends to get too large (thyroid problem) so I think Blaze is just healthy. Because of Ricky we cannot free feed Blaze, but he eats about 3 or 4 cups a day. He does get puppy food for large breed dogs, and our Vet always encourages slim dogs.

I think it is rather difficult to think a puppy is healthy when you have a very large dog. Blaze seems to be all legs. He can jump and nip with the best of them.

Sammy

[CaynCher]

At 3mhs old Royce was around that weight 20 lbs or so. He was small too, however, time took care of that. He weighs around 70lbs now as an adult. Personally, I think thinner is better than too heavy. It is easier on the joints.

I have fed cooked oatmeal mixed in with my dog's food during colder weather & they never gained weight from eating that but they exercise a lot. Grits are good to put on weight & could be used if your dog doesn't have allergies. My dad fed them to his hunting beagles. Some Vet's say feeding a lot of canned food may add weight too. Use one with a higher calorie content.

[Tailer'sFolks]

I wouldn't try to fatten him up yet...he is still growing into the body he has! It's easy to get them heavier, but very hard to get the weight off...at 3 months I don't think you can really judge!

I would love to see a picture or two too!

Love those Jake & Griff pictures!!

[Jo Ellen]

I think you are totally right, TF :)

[Soda]

They eventually grow into their feet. Rusty is fourteen months and just now is makin' some headway to becoming porportioned with his feet. It takes a while and there is a huge temptation to help them "put on the bulk". I advise to resist this as so many joint and bone issues can result. You're not going to starve your dog, just go by what the vet says! There's a reason they are a vet!

[Baylee Golden]

Free feeding is NOT a good idea. Many dogs you see in the community are heavier than they should be so I wouldn't worry about your puppy looking a bit lean. A puppy goes through all sorts of changes and overfeeding can cause too rapid a growth as well as obesity in the long run.

[Tailer'sFolks]

I kinda free feed Tailer...I serve 1.5 cups for him in the morning...if he does not eat it..that's his choice...I will add 1.5 cups in the evening...that's it for the day...but he can chose when he eats. Some days he eats all of his breakfast...sometimes he eats all 3 cups at night. I don't care...but he gets no more!

70 pounds for the last 6 months...I guess we are doing ok. I'm Happy, He's Happy... :085

[Soda]

Sounds like he is doing great TF!. You do limit his food by not feeding any more than 3 cups a day. I guess when I think of free feeding it's more like as much as the dog will eat and accessable all day long.

BTW, do you know how tall Tailor is?

[Tailer'sFolks]

Now Soda, that question makes me laugh! I have tried to get the Beast to stand still to get measured, but when he hears or sees the tape measure...he runs and hides!! It is so funny! Been this way since he was a pup...but my guess is about 22-23"...using the TV, where his back would come on the screen as my guide...

Funny Kidds!

[Apolitical]

Hi

Did the vet tell you to fatten him up?

When Sunny was so skinny - the vet initiated a feeding program which put some weight on him.

It was more work - freshly cooked food for each meal, but it was certainly worth it.

If the vet did not tell you to fatten him up, I would not do so.

He does not look too skinny to me - just gangly like at 3 months.

My Sunny, was like a skelton, just skin and bones when the vet created the special diet.

I would not fatten the puppy up if the vet did not tell me to.

Apolitical

[Seamus' Mom]

TF -

Now I know for sure that Tailer and Seamus are twins....

Your earlier post made me curious...after some pretty amusing contortions on my part, I was finally able to get him to stand still long enough to measure his height...23". He was also 69 lbs at his last two vet visits. Also, the eating habits you described are exactly the same experience I've had with Seamus. I also feed him a cup and a half in the morning and the same at night. But, he chooses when he eats it...sometimes it's all at once in the morning, sometimes nothing.

[Soda]

It is hard to get them to stand still! Measuring Rusty he's 26 inches. 76 pounds. Lean mean retrievin machine....ha ha

[Tailer'sFolks]

Dis B Tailer...RED DAWGIE RULE!!

[Seamus' Mom]

Measuring Rusty he's 26 inches. 76 pounds. Lean mean retrievin machine....ha ha
Soda,


I think that make's Rusty the "lead singer" and Tailer & Seamus the matching back-up dancers! rofl3

[Soda]

Ha ha ha!!!! Here ya go.....aint he just a "hunk a hunk a burnin' love"?

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p200/soda_/P1010043.jpg

[Seamus' Mom]

He's definitely got that STAR quality! :604

[Tailer'sFolks]

Usty Red Dawg...U R Handsome! Lets Play! --Tailer d Red Dawg

[Jo Ellen]

aint he just a "hunk a hunk a burnin' love"?

Oh yes :) I would love to meet him in person, I don't think I could tear myself away!

[Rebel's mom]

Well, school is finally slowing down just a little (I teach) so I can get back on the boards!

I took Rebel for his 16 week booster and he weighed in at 27 lbs. :) The vet told me that he was looking good and not too thin at all. He said he had rather have a trim pup than a chubby one. He said all was well.

All your info and pix helped me so much. When Reb grows into his feet and ears, he will be a big one, but not that heavy. The vet said he may be about 65 lbs for his structure.

I thank you all sooooooooo much!!! I have learned so much and little tidbits and mountains of info!!

It is funny...I teach high school and Rebel and I have been training with Look, sit and down. Well, sometimes when I tell the kids to get a seat, I will say, "Sit!" Rebel is faster to sit than the kids!!! rofl3

I have also found myself getting the attention of the kids with the LOOK command!! Wow...We are really creatures of habit!

After reading all the posts and going to the vet, I know Reb is good and at a healthy weight!

Thanks ya'll!!

Nancy,
Rebel's mom

[JsMom]

HAHA! As a mom of an ADHD kid - "look at me" is a very good thing to start off with! :roll2

Glad your puppy is doing well!

[HeatherM]

It is funny...I teach high school and Rebel and I have been training with Look, sit and down. Well, sometimes when I tell the kids to get a seat, I will say, "Sit!" Rebel is faster to sit than the kids!!! rofl3

I have also found myself getting the attention of the kids with the LOOK command!! Wow...We are really creatures of habit!

i find myself doing this with my husband!! (but you'd be surprised how well he listens! :)

[Tailer'sFolks]

Glad Rebel is carrying the correct weight for right now...I am so glad you did not get him bulked up! Weight is very heard to get rid of!!

I wanna see a picture of your Rebel, Please?

[Rebel's mom]

Thanks to all of you!! The pictures really helped, too!!! I talked to our vet and he said pretty much what most said here...it is better to have a leaner puppy. He said he was not underweight...I was just being paranoid!! ha! I am used to seeing Bassets!!! At 16 weeks, he went for his shots and he weighed almost 30 lbs. He just looks thinner because of the long legs I think. He is in that gangly stage.

I will take some pics, resize and post. He is not super big boned but he is sooooo pretty...oops...handsome! ha!

This forum is so knowledgeable and helpful. Thanks to you all from Rebel and mom!!

[ChicagoCanine]

Ha ha ha!!!! Here ya go.....aint he just a "hunk a hunk a burnin' love"?


Oh my what a beautiful red dog! I just love the red Goldens :) :reddogx

[gigi4713]

I don't think 20lbs. at 3 mo is skinny. My 3 mo. old is at 25 lbs. and my vet said he was "a bit overweight" and that I should be able to feel his ribs. Right now, he has a tiny layer of fat over the ribs. He doesn't look big to me, but he is on a strict diet of 2.5-3 cups of food per day.

[helen_pat]

vet told me that Sasha is small for her age, but I'm worried now. She is 9 weeks old and only weighs 2.15kg (whivh is about 5 lb I think)

[Tink_019]

wow that is small for a 9 week old pup i dont know how to fatten up a dog but maybe someone on here will know and give u advice good luck! ;)

[helen_pat]

She is just recovering from colitis, which has probably both put her off eating and meant that she has not benefited from the food that she has eaten. We are back at the vet next week so hopefully she will have put weight on by then.

[Dodger08]

the vet also told me that my 3 month old male GR is underweight. The last time I weighed him, at 11 weeks, he was 19.5 lbs.....in the last couple of weeks, he has sprouted and is getting much taller but not filling out. I can feel his ribs and hip bones. Nobody notices it because of all his puppy fur.

He does not eat all his breakfast, which he gets 1 cup of dry food, and he rarely eats his supper, which is 1 cup as well. I have started adding a tbsp of Multi-Oil Blend Diet Supplement to his supper meal.

Nutritional Information as per 1 tbsp:
Energy> 125 CAL
Fat> 14 g
Saturated> 2 g
Monosaturated> 3 g
Polyunsaturated> 9 g
Cholesterol> 15 mg

Is this okay to be feeding?

I can't get my GR to eat his meals....and I serve them to him at the same time everyday. :204

[CanadianGolden]

Why are you adding a supplement? It is unnecessary and may contribute to an imbalance of nutrients. He needs to still be eating 3 times a day at this age. 2 cups per day is not enough if he needs to gain weight (though I would rather he was too thin than too fat). How long are you giving him to eat each meal? And what type of food are you feeding?

[Dodger08]

Why are you adding a supplement? It is unnecessary and may contribute to an imbalance of nutrients. He needs to still be eating 3 times a day at this age. 2 cups per day is not enough if he needs to gain weight (though I would rather he was too thin than too fat). How long are you giving him to eat each meal? And what type of food are you feeding?


I was told that it is a great way to put on weight and to make sure he is getting all his nutrients. Should I stop giving it to him?

He will barely eat the 2 meals that I give him daily, how am I to get him to eat 3 meals a day? I give him about 10-15 mins to eat his meals...or until he says he is done. He usually figures he is done before then.

I am feeding him a natural oven baked puppy food (dry). It says on the back that he should be getting about 2.25 cups per day....and I can't get him eating that. What do I do? Change his food?

[CanadianGolden]

If your vet really feels he needs to gain weight, the supplement would be for that I suppose. I can't see your dog, but I find it hard to believe that a puppy needs to gain weight. Generally a healthy dog will eat as much or more than is necessary. I would not try to bribe him to eat more. However, you can add calories and good nutrition with a high quality, mostly meat canned food.

What is the brand of food you're using now?

[CaynCher]

One of my Goldens was not a big eater as a young pup. He was a super hyper pup & just more interested in play rather than meals back then. Many people may not agree, but I sat with him while he ate his meals which helped a lot. If in your position, I would follow my Vets advice as far as feeding supplements etc. Your dog may not like the brand or just the dry food either. I feed a mix of dry/wet & fresh food & that works for us. I might add that with maturity, my Golden is very enthusiastic concerning food now.

:dogbark :reddogx

[Dodger08]

I do sit with him while he eats....he is also the type that is more interested in playing than eating.

I will try adding some canned food and see if that helps.

I was talking to the breeder I got Dodger from...she still has one of Dodgers sisters and says that she is about 40 lbs, Dodger is half that weight. She also said that she feeds them wild/buffalo meat.....that most commercial foods don't have enough protein in them.

Thanks for all the advice!!

[CanadianGolden]

that most commercial foods don't have enough protein in them.

Thanks for all the advice!!

This is true, which is why I feed super premium (Innova EVO, Solid Gold, Canidae, Orijen, Instinct, Wellness Core) and supplement with very high meat canned food (usually EVO or Instinct). This does give my dog a high enough protein diet. You can't just throw in tons of meat with commercial food all the time (or just give your dog bones or meat on bones)--you'll end up with an imbalance of nutrients (for example, a Ca:P ratio imbalance, which can be very dangerous to joint health).

[CaynCher]

If your pup was checked out by your Vet & is healthy other than the weight issue, then he may take some time to add on more lbs. especially with all of the playing activity. My pup, at 8wks was l4lbs & it took him quite a while to gain. My Vet noticed that he is still filling out at 4 years old & 64.5lbs. He remains a very active, curious, watchful dog with little down time. Maturity has improved his eating habits but food is still not a big priority with him.


:dogbark :reddogx

[DutchessDaisy]

Daisy also seemed skinny at 3 months. I think she was about 20-25 lbs. In her obedience class was another GR the exact same age as her and Daisy looked like a starved child next to the other GR. But I think all GRs are different Daisy was never the fluff ball golden. She is now 11 months and I would estimate around 50lbs. I'm hoping she will gain another 10lbs before she is "fully grown".