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Ideas for weight gain

Discussion in 'Commercial Food' started by Justicemom, Mar 17, 2015.

  1. Justicemom

    Justicemom Forums Celebrity

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    Ok I rarely ask for advise in this area but I am sort of at a point of indecision here.

    Celtic is the most unfood motivated sheltie I have never met. He currently eats Life Abundance kibble. This is the food that his 2 breeders(who are also his co-owners) feed so switching is not an option. This is the food they want him on so I stick with their wishes. He currently eats between 1.5 and 2 cups a day. I struggle to get that in him some days.

    He likes boiled chicken, steak and boiled liver(the good stuff) for treats and also natural balance rolls and occasionally wellness and blue buffalo stixs for treats. He acts like he wants food but then when offered he turns up his nose or eats it so slowly you are about lose your mind.

    The issue is he is also the most active dog and at 17.5lbs is a bit under weight. As the weather has gotten nice, he is running a lot and losing weight. He has ok muscle but could use some more and I think that is from not having enough calories to build great muscle and maintain coat etc.

    Thus my problem, does anyone have any ideas on something to supplement to his diet to help him gain weight? I have some ideas but just can't make a decision.
     
  2. take4roll10

    take4roll10 Moderator

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    Do you give coconut oil? Adding coconut oil to Bailey's food helped her gain a little weight.
     
  3. Ann

    Ann Moderator

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    Coconut oil is a great idea. You could also add some sweet potatoes, or even regular potatoes which are good carbohydrate and energy sources that free up the proteins you're feeding to help weight gain. Most dogs love sweet potatoes. They're a pain to work with fresh but you can use frozen or canned. Might also add some more taste to his food.

    When I need to add weight, I add some canned food to the diet. It perks up the dog's appetite and is much richer than kibble. I like Merrick and Evangers, but there are lots of good brands out there. Evangers makes great pate types which you can add with some water for a gravy that also perks up the picky eaters.
     
  4. danisgoat

    danisgoat Moderator

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    Scramble an egg in coconut oil. That's what we do for our Irish who hates to eat. She can't resist it.
     
  5. Justicemom

    Justicemom Forums Celebrity

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    Yes I fed it but not to Celtic. He does not like it. Weirdo.:(
     
  6. Justicemom

    Justicemom Forums Celebrity

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    I could try scrambled eggs. maybe he would eat coconut oil with something was cooked in it
     
  7. Justicemom

    Justicemom Forums Celebrity

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    could try sweet potatoes if he doesn't like it I will eat them.:smile2:
     
  8. corbinam

    corbinam Moderator

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    I was going to recommend this same thing.
     
  9. Justicemom

    Justicemom Forums Celebrity

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    I should mention that Celtic has been dewormed and is otherwise health as a horse. His Grandpa Grizz and Uncle Birch were also lean as young dogs.

    Grizz is like Celitc in the food department. Birch would run over his own mother for food. Life abundance was the one food that put weight on both Grizz and Birch which is why there is commitment to it.
     
  10. EJHUNTL

    EJHUNTL Forums Enthusiast

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    I had to stop buying the dried sweet potato treats for Hanna as she gained too much weight when I was using them.
     

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