My girls have only been with us a few months, both were quite skinny minnies when they arrived. They're nearly 18 months old now and doing great but one is still very ribby. She's fed twice daily on Beta chicken & rice puppy/junior complete and tripe. I've tried increasing the amounts but then she'll leave the extra. Would adult be better but an 18 month GSD is not adult? I've wormed her and she's not pooping excessively, so the best is staying in. Neither are big framed girls, Lucy has bulked up nicely, and although there is slight difference from a few months ago, Stella remains skinny minnie. She's full of life, a beautiful looking girl (nice coat) and so affectionate. Any suggestions would be appreciated.     

I have a GSD dog - Zak (2 1/2 years old rescue) who is very active & I have been trying to get weight on him since he was 5 months old. The vet tells me he is fine, but I have always been able to feel his backbone & he looks slim compared to all the other GSD'S at obedience & agility. Now at last I am getting somewhere. I have tried all the foods under the sun, he has the typical GSD tummy, can be very loose, the more food I gave him (especially high protein)the more came out the other end! I have him on 'Burgess Supadog Lamb & Rice Sensitive' at the moment. It seems to be doing the trick, he is getting a bit fussy, but I mix it with a small amount of pilchards or Tuna in hot water to make a gravy. It is reasonably priced compared to a lot of the other premium foods, but contains a good amount of lamb (26%), it is maize, beef,egg & dairy free. I don't want him fat, just to look fit & well. He is long haired & his coat has also been very poor probably due to his bad start in life. He still has lots of fluffy puppy hair on his flanks & his top coat is very sparse. I am hoping that the fish will improve that. Good Luck.

Hi
don't really have any sure fire way to fix this but with our GSD who was so ribby i felt sure people thought i was neglecting him !!
The only thing that has put and kept weight on him has been BARF feeding him.
Since putting him onto a natural diet he has doubled in weight and looks like a GSD now.
Could be worth a thought
Donna

I know what you're saying, I think people must think that of me too.

Gabi was the same. If I increased her Royal Canin her bowels would go loose and she was always hungry. Have changed to Barf over the last 6 months. She has now filled out and very happy with her new diet. Really hard poops as well and not smelly.

Ive just posted on another thread. We have had great success with JWB [James Wellbeloved] Junior recommended by a locum vet. Our girl has gone from "ribs" to looking nicely covered now and her motions are fine.  We would add cooked chicken [maybe not now with the bird flu] or tuna in oil. Drain off the oil from the can as best you can.  If they sway towards squishy tummies, too much oil can set them off. We always soak their nuggets which helps digestion. Several meals a day also helps as opposed to one or two.  Our oldest girl is now on JWB Senior and has gone from being lethargic and not taking much interest in life to being full of beans, into things again and initiating playtime with the younger dogs.  We would also add cooked veg to their nuggets for variety.
Good luck.
Koda