Not sure our dog eats enough..
Discussion
We have an 8mo labradoodle x whippet/collie b itch
She is from a miniature poodle so is small spaniel sized, probably knee height (although she can still jump up and bite your hair!)
Anyway she is about 13kg, very active (loves running) but I have noticed she feels very bony, her shoulders/hips are quite prominent as are her ribs when you stroke her. Visibly she looks ok but with all that curly poodle hair you'd never notice.
We have always fed her kibble type food, recently she was eating Burns puppy/young adult (black bag) but since they changed to a blue bag she's not as keen to eat it. I don't know if the recipe is the same because she just won't eat as enthusiastically as she did before.
I could change the food or add meat chunks but then I wonder if that would give her more cause to be fussy..
Is there a doggy BMI anywhere that I can judge if she is underweight or not?
She is from a miniature poodle so is small spaniel sized, probably knee height (although she can still jump up and bite your hair!)
Anyway she is about 13kg, very active (loves running) but I have noticed she feels very bony, her shoulders/hips are quite prominent as are her ribs when you stroke her. Visibly she looks ok but with all that curly poodle hair you'd never notice.
We have always fed her kibble type food, recently she was eating Burns puppy/young adult (black bag) but since they changed to a blue bag she's not as keen to eat it. I don't know if the recipe is the same because she just won't eat as enthusiastically as she did before.
I could change the food or add meat chunks but then I wonder if that would give her more cause to be fussy..
Is there a doggy BMI anywhere that I can judge if she is underweight or not?
Get an appt with your vets maybe with a vet nurse who does weight clinics and they will be able to tell you.
There are lots of variables ie she has whippet in her mix so you would expect to see some of her ribs but the import thing is her muscle converage.
Many people think there digs are underweight when they are not.
As a general guide for pretty much every breed of dog you should be able to feel the ribs with the flats of your hand with no pressing. Hips should be palpable as should the spine but subtly and should not be overly prominent.
Growing dogs will have gangly moments until they fill out properly and very very energetic dogs may seem too slim but be super fit and all muscles.
So have her ck'd at the vets (should be an foc app) and adjust her diet if needed after that (you may not need to) :-)
There are lots of variables ie she has whippet in her mix so you would expect to see some of her ribs but the import thing is her muscle converage.
Many people think there digs are underweight when they are not.
As a general guide for pretty much every breed of dog you should be able to feel the ribs with the flats of your hand with no pressing. Hips should be palpable as should the spine but subtly and should not be overly prominent.
Growing dogs will have gangly moments until they fill out properly and very very energetic dogs may seem too slim but be super fit and all muscles.
So have her ck'd at the vets (should be an foc app) and adjust her diet if needed after that (you may not need to) :-)
On a whim I picked up some Royal Canin "mini breed junior" that was on offer at the local garden centre and it has much smaller kibble size, similar to cat food really
She polished off three bowls one after the other, without any mixing in of meat etc! And today is much more eager to eat.
So either she loves the taste of RC or she didn't like having to crunch down the larger kibble.. maybe her teeth are still sensitive?
She polished off three bowls one after the other, without any mixing in of meat etc! And today is much more eager to eat.
So either she loves the taste of RC or she didn't like having to crunch down the larger kibble.. maybe her teeth are still sensitive?
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff