I have recently (about 2 months ago) changed Cree, my GSD onto Burns as she has problems with her digestive system.
So far she is doing really well on Burns, no more gurgling tum or having the runs.  The only thing is she doesn't seem to be
putting on any weight.  At the last vet check we had, the vet said she was underweight, she is currently around 32.45kg
and you can feel all her rib bones, back bone etc.  She is a very energetic dog, our normal daily walks is at least 2.5
to 3 miles minimum and she continuously runs around on her walks, doesn't seem to stop to take a breath :D
She always seems to be hungry and I am worried that she is not getting enought to eat, she is currently on 400gr of Burns
which is split between two meals.  Am I under feeding her?  Not sure whether I should book another visit to the vets or
give Burns a ring to see what they say?  Anybody got any suggestions?
Thank you :)
Freya

Hi Freya

In the first instance, I would give Burns a quick ring and see what they suggest, they are extremely helpful. We switched our boys onto Burns, and one of them was underweight, with gurgling tum etc, but like your girl was very active with it.  Since switching to Burns he has begun to body up; it's a slow but sure process but he is getting there  :)

If you're not happy with what Burns suggest, or are still worried in anyway, then pop along to your vet with Cree.

Hope this helps :)

Lesley

Freya,

Of your dog is healthy, active,  underweight and always hungry than you are feeding her too little.  The required amount of food for a dog is within the range of 1/3 less to 1/3 more of what the food producer recommends.  The feeding amounts are for the "average" dog --- and most dogs are at either side of average.   In addition, many people supplement main meals, so if your dog is not getting lots of extras than in any case you would most likely to feed above the average.

You do not say how old Cree is, but up to about two years old in a fit GSD you should be able to feel ribs easily and even see them stick out a little bit when they move.  However, from what you describe Cree seems too light. Most GSDs tend to look very lean and long when they are 18 months - and then their sternum fully drops and muscles mature fully and they bulk up.  

Stacey

Hi Lesley and Stacey :)
Cree turns 3 the end of this month.  She lost quite a bit of weight towards the beginning
of the year and Vet says she has digestive problem and advised to stick to one food.
I had tried her on Naturediet but just ran through her.  Burns seems to be working but even
though she is doing really well on it, bright and energetic, there is still no sign of any
weight increase.  Will up her food a bit and if no change will take back to vets.
Thanks for your replies.
Freya :)

Just gave Burns a quick call to see what they suggest.  They said not to increase the amount I am feeding her as increasing the volume can reduce digestibility and can
cause digestive problems so they are sending me a sample of food for more active dogs to mix with what I am already feeding her (half and half) and hopefully
this will help her put some weight on.  Will see how it goes.  (wish I had problem of not being able to put weight on :D )
Thanks
Freya

Me too Freya, wish I had the same problem as your GSD.

You might also want to try adding a small spoonful of organic olive oil or even a fish oil to the Burns, it will add Kalories.  I was shocked to the ingredient list of Pedigree Professional, if you check that thread you may notice how high in fat it is .. no wonder people say their dog's coats look great on it.  :-)  From that thread -- "I have been using pedigree professional for a couple of months, and I'm a big fan. It's very high fat content (20%) is fantastic for the skin and coats, and also means that you don't need to feed a large amout to keep weight on."  Burns is very low in fat, so a bit more should do no harm.

I've read several times now on this site how Burns does not recommend feeding more to dogs who end up too skinny on their product.  Sorry, but this is nutty thinking.   Feeding slightly more of a highly digestible food is not going to make it any less digestible. It's nonsense.  If you thought the extra bulk was too much for your GSD to handle in the same meal you could always give her a small quantity at midday or right before you go to bed. 

Stacey

Also feed Burns and have thin dogs. I think the factor is probably something to do with the low fat content it is less that half of any other foods I have looked at.
I am currently in the process of introducing Fromm Adult Gold (fat 16%), but someone mentioned using SA-37 to help the bodying up and skeletal development ( at 14months). Does any one have an opinion ?

I have been using Burns for about 15 months now and I and my dogs are very happy with it, I know this may sound simple, but have you wormed her recently? this may be the reason she isnt putting on weight....Pat

Cree and my other two dogs were wormed in October and again the beginning of this month.   When one of the dogs go for
their boosters I get worming tablets for all of them - Gypsy's booster is March, Cree's is end of July/beginning of August and
Rat Boy's is October - it works out quite handy for worming as I remember to do them at regular intervals.
Freya :)

Don't bother using SA37, this is just a mineral and vitamin supplement.  Complete food is just that 'complete' so you don't need to supplement on top.  Burns contains kelp seaweed which if you like is the natural SA37, so you won't need extra minerals on top.  Too much is just as bad as not enough in some cases

We have now got Cree on the Burns maintenance food that we were originally feeding plus the higher protein food that Burns recommended (50/50).  We are going to try her on this for a few weeks to see if there is any increase in her weight.  (I have to admit I have been slipping her the odd sardine here and there).
I was just wondering, if feeding her this mix of Burns doesn't work, what I can try next.  Whether anybody else can recommend any other foods I can try with her.  The food that she was on before I put her on Burns was Naturediet and this didn't agree with her tum.  The vet said I could try Chappie but wondered if somebody could suggest something else we could try incase we have to change from Burns to something else.
Thanks Freya :)

Chappie is worth trying. I've been feeding it to my dogs for about 5 or 6 years now with no problems.
:)

Hi,

I have tried all the foods under the sun to try to stop one of my boys digestive problem, chappie, dodson's, bounce, supadog, the list is endless. He was pretty good on the supadog sensitive but he wasn't keen on it so wasn't eating it all up and as he he very thin gave up with that. I have just recently gone on to Burn's and he is 70% better on it and he likes it! I am hoping he will soon start to fill out as he must be digesting more than he has on other foods. Most of his poo's are solid only getting one now and again that is loose. Maybe it just needs a bit more time.

Hi

I am racking my brains for you as a skinny GSD owner! (the dog not me ;-) ) who has finally started to fill out.  Try posting here as there are GSd specialists who might have some ideas.... http://www.germanshepherds.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Jayne

HI
I will keep the Chappie in mind Jeangenie :) Its worth a try (got a huge bag of Burns to get through yet).
Thanks Jayne will have a look on the site you have suggested see if I can find any ideas to put a bit of weight on my girl.
Thanks :)
Freya

hi

today i have started to change my skinny boxer over to nutro to see if it puts any weight on her, shes been on burns for 6 months has no weight on her and her coat has become a bit scurfy don't know if its to do with the burns meal but will see how she does on nutro as lots of people recommend it, also the man in the pet shop told me that if i mix in beef suet with it, it will help build her up anybody have an opinion on that? as i'm not sure.

j

Beef suet is a saturated fat and as such presents the same health risks to your dog as yourself.