I have an 8 week old golden retriever puppy whom is quite thin. We got her from a friend who only fed her weetabix and cows milk (!) We tried to keep this going for the first day, but added a small amount of puppy meal to it, four times a day. We took her to the ets for her jabs the next day and he said that she was underweight and gave us some worming granules and advised us to change her diet, which we were going to do anyway as weetabix has no protein in it and she slept all day. The vet gave us Wafcol puppy, which she will eat, but smells awful as it is fish based, and gives her awful wind and she is a bit runny when she goes to the toilet. She doesn't seem to be putting on any weight, she still sleeps all day and doesn't seems to eat much. We tried following the amount reccomended on the packet, 510 grams a day, but she doesn't eat that much. What can we do to help her put on weight? when you pick her up her ribs seem quite prominent, but because she is fluffy it is not so noticeable.

I'm no nutritionist, but I would suggest something like sardines in tomato sauce mixed with some of her regular puppy food. Although they are a bit/very smelly, it may well encourage your pups appetite.

Hope this helps :)

liberty

I would say that the amoundt recomended is way over estimation. I would think 400g at most would be appropriate, as my pups of a breed that weighs 20-23kg as adults would not eat more than 250g ofr a dry puppy food, and I can't see a Goldie needing more than double.

Persevere with the puppy food, as Wafcol is usually one of the ones that keep the motions quite good. I would imagine she is loose, due to the change in diet, as her previous diet was far from suitable.

If you really cant stand the smell and want to change foods try Burns Mini Bites - they would be my favourite for a large breed puppy. The ingredients are very well sourced (wholesome) and grows pups slowly without overdoing the protein - as your pup has had very little protein it may be a good one to change to if you are going to.

i Have just changed my puppy (GSD) over to wafcol puppy but it doesn't smell of fish until i mix it with minced white fish :-) she gets 100g mixed with fish per feed 3 times a day even the the bag says she should have around 600g per day (too much for her). Are you sure you haven't got the adult one (i give this to my 6yr GSD) which does smell like fish salmon and potatoe.
I would say that she should pick up in a day or two with her motions if you have just put her on the food she will put on weight as you are now giving her proper puppy food, not weetabix :-) but it will take time, my GSD is 10 weeks and weighs in at 10.5kg which the vet said is fine. What did your pup weigh in at.

Hiya, Garlic is an excellent way of stimulating dog's appetites, they love it. Also, as she is still so tiny, try Nestle extra creamy rice pudding (purple tin) for either breakfast or supper (I add a bit of goats milk to it). She should have 4 meals per day at her age (sometimes 5 smaller ones if she is very underweight0. Lift her dish after 10 mins or so, then she doesn't think it will always be there, so need to stick to her meal times. The routine will do her good too.

I have an advice leaflet on this problem if you would like me to send it to your email address? :)

Hi Dotty,

Not that I have this problem with any dog but could you email it to me please?

will do, with pleasure. It is on a disk somewhere I will find it and email it to you directly tomorrow. :)

Thanks! :D

I have the same problem with my boxer pup. Apparently she is underweight as well. I was told to feed her hamburger and put her on a feeding schedule as well. But I tried the schedule when I first got her and it never worked. She never ate and I was afraid of starving her. Hopefully she'll put on weight soon..I'll just have to wait and see.

Hi Lucy

How is the puppy getting on ?

When we got MB she was the little baby of the litter and so we supplemented her diet (JWB puppy ) with cooked chicken and scrambled egg for a few weeks. She did go off her food for a little while but that is quite common in puppies but after a few weeks she put on weight gradually and is now a strong healthy 8 month old Lab !:)

Lucy

How about Naturediet puppy??

It wouldn't be as boring for a puppy as a dry complete food

Julia

Funnily enough i have an auntie with a similar problem. I thought this question could have been from her as they have a dog called Meg. Anyway she has 8 week old golden retriever they have had her about a week, and she has not been eating her dog food, however my cousin spilt some chocolate mousse on the floor and Meg couldnt get enough of it. Any ideas of what to feed her. The only difference i have noticed is that Meg is not too thin.

I can't reccomend RCW puppy food strongly enough. It comes in both tins and dry. I have never seen an animal refuse it - the company would refund your money if it did. It comes with a very accurate an easy to follow feeding guide.

What is RCW puppy food?

The litter of Bullmastiffs I bred are also just 8 weeks old.
I feed them fresh mince, soaked dry food,cottage cheese,tinned tuna or salmon,egg yolks and give them puppy milk with yoghurt.Also raw chicken necks or wings are loved by my babies.
Marmite is also good dissolved in hot water poured over the food.

Karen.

Can I come eat at your house please :D