How to feed a malnourished or underweight dog?
by Lenda | May 7, 2020 |
When your dog has had a disease that has made him refuse food for a time, or you adopt a dog that has been insufficiently fed, you are faced with a delicate situation, what kind of food should I give him? How can you not feel bad ? How much amount I have to give to gain weight as soon as possible?
If you have picked it up on the street or at a dog shelter, we recommend that you take it to the vet first, as it is possible that the animal has a parasite that is affecting its weight. In addition, the veterinarian can guide you individually, because it depends a little on the situation that the animal has lived in and the specific causes that it is in that state. In most cases, to start feeding you we can follow some general guidelines :
- Keep your bowl of water plenty, as you may also have special hydration needs.
- Although our first temptation is to offer you a lot of food, binge eating is probably the worst idea you can have, because it will surely do you bad. Instead, offer small amounts of food several times a day (for example, 4 or 5 times) so that it is digested little by little and does not harm it. In a few days you can gradually reduce the number of shots and increase the quantity.
- Choose a SuperPremium feed with high-quality proteins and a higher caloric content , which will help you gradually regain your weight. You can add some damp dog food, especially if it is lacking in appetite, as dogs find it tastier.
- Avoid foods rich in carbohydrates and low in protein, since all you will get is fill it with very little nutritional intake.
- Remember to keep it in a warm enough area, since having less body fat costs them more to keep warm.
If it is a puppy, it is best to go directly to the vet, since if it is very young it is likely that it will need surveillance and some nutritional supplements.