My youngest Malinois is 2 years old. He  is very active, always bombing about and is an agility dog so better to be on the lighter side anyway but over the last 6 weeks he had an upset stomach that lasted around a week so lost a bit more there and we have just had a bitch in season so he wouldn't eat for 3-4 days. He now looks very skinny and weighs 19.9kg.

His appetite is back now and im going to put him on 3 meals a day, he is fed taste of the wild which is high protein but does anyone else have any tips to help him put a bit of weight back on?

Thanks

Chicken wings. :) Never failed me yet. Just add one or two a day, no need to buy huge amounts, you can get a packet in the supermarket.

I got some when i went shopping just, gave him one, he wont eat it. He played with it for a few mins throwing in the air then just walked off and left it. I have bought some raw chicken mince though too, hopefully he will eat that mixed in with his usual food

Oh he's like my Dot! Weirdest dog ever. Bitch, just 17 kilos. She wont touch ANYTHING with chicken in!

Tried him again this morning with one and managed to get him to eat it. I gave Shelly one as well, she ate hers while he was still investigating his one, when he realised she wanted it, it became worth eating! (Took him about 25 mins though) lol

few dogs would refuse green tripe

Thanks, ill give that a go once we have used up the chicken mince (he has eaten that no bother) :)

If part of this was down to an upset digestive system, I'd go slow.   Far better to let him come back to full condition at a sensible pace than try to stuff him full of food, and risk another dig.upset.   My opinion

Males can look terrible when they've been around a bitch in season there's no doubt and it always seems to happen when you want them carrying decent weight for a show perhaps!!   But again the fact he's around 2 could mean he still has some time yet before he is fully bodied up - especially if he comes from a slow-maturing line?   One of mine was like that and I have no option but to put him away until he was over this phase.   Which eventually he was and from just over 2 on, certainly looked the part.   If you can be patient about all this, I would be rather than trying to force all this.

ps   If he's being upset around the girls, as soon as you can, get them spayed!!   It's what I did with our kennel - once retired the girls were spayed which was better for them too.

Hi,

Thanks for the advice, his weight loss has been a gradual thing as he is just so active and always on the go but now ive become concious of it. Hi stomach upset was a couple of weeks ago and has been fine for a week but then he got upset by the bitch in season. I certainly wont rush his weight gain, he is normally a very good eater.

As for getting the bitch spayed, not an option. She is hubby's dog not mine and as he had a bitch die within days of being spayed in the past (years ago) he wont even entertain the idea! She is our only entire bitch as the other 2 were already spayed before we got them.

Hi, You could try breast of lamb. Many supermarkets sell it already boned and rolled, (in the fresh meat aisle) and it is easy to cut off exactly the amount you want. I agree you need to take it steadily but it is easy to adjust the amount you want to give and add it to your usual food.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I cut it into chunks before freezing it, as I tend to buy 2 or 3 rolls of it a time if I think my dog needs fattening up a bit.