starving puppy!

[angus725]

Angus is 18 months. He has not gain a pound since he turned one. 2 months ago he was acting like he was starving every night starting an hour before diner and lasting 2 more after. He would try to steal food (counter surfing, from my daughter, the cat bowl), go in the trash, run around the house searching for food, chew/eat anything he would find. We talked to our vet and he told us it was ok to raise his amount of food (to 4 cups in the morning and 4 at night). He was back to normal and being a good boy.
2 months later, He is starting to act up again. The vet told us 8 cups was the maximum we could feed him and it seems a lot to us too... what should I do? We have been feeding proplan (recommended by his breeder). He has not gain a pound, his ribs are easily felt. He always been the same from the time we got him, good for a month then starving until we increased his food.
thanks for any advice!
jerome

 

[wrknnwf]

Check him for parasites, thyroid conditions, and any other diseases the vet suggests. There are several that have weight loss or un-thriftiness as a clinical sign.

But don't be anxious for him to gain weight. Thin is always better for joints, than fat. I'm sure you know that, but the nurturing instinct in us sometimes overrides good judgement.

Dogs can go through periods of growth and then nothing for a while and vice versa.

Also, Newfs are famous for snarfing up everything in sight. Unless he has some underlying condition, you must not let him manipulate you.

I would switch his diet to a premium food. Preferably grain free. There are more quality nutrients and you don't have to feed as much quantity to get them.

 

[Jeannie]

First thing I would get him a good grain free food. I'd have a blood work done: CBC and Profile as well as thyroid. Do a stool check.

You can add green beans to his diet. That will help him feel full.

How often do you feed him? Twice a day? If so what if you divided his food into 3 times per day?

 

[angus725]

Thank you for the advice. I am not trying to get him to gain weight but just to have him stop acting up around food. We had his stool checked 5 times last year and they always came back negative. I will change his food, add green beans and see how it goes.
thanks again

 

[Bailey Boy]

If his stools are good, coat, ears, eyes etc I would be leary going on the food roller coaster ride just yet. Maybe adjust his feeding schedule 2 cups for breakfast 1 cup for lunch, 3 cups for dinner and another cup for an early evening snack. Or just give healthy treats like apples, bananas or even green beans - fresh no salt added - in the evening. If he is healthy i.e. blood work then I would just give it a chance to see if he is going through another growth spurt.

Hope you find out what is going on Angus and it is an easy fix.

 

[lmfoltyn]

I agree with the no changing the food idea...if he has been doing good, without ear infections etc...I wouldn't try anything different. If he is just plain hungry after all that food I would try the green beans...it works great with our dogs...they even go to the freezer to get some...LOL...good luck with your boy...

 

[BLCOLE]

My second Newf ate 6-8 cups of dry per day and never gained weight. Vet could never find anything wrong with him. His bloodwork was fine. I am wondering if it could be a quirk with your dog, just like it was with mine...