Tonic too thin?

[Katie&Ryan]

Hey guys
I've been a real stickler about keeping Tonic's weight down as he was growing up, but lately I think he's getting too thin (1yr AND ~117). I can easily feel his ribs as usual, but his spine is very easily felt as well.

He's been on Orijen adult for about three months and his stool has been great. He was on Canidea ALS and Chicken soup before, but didn't have firm stools. Now they're great...but anything over 4 1/2 to 5 cups, they get loose or worse.

So, should I be worried? His energy level is great but really looks and feels like he's starving. What are your thoughts? What about Satin Balls?

Thanks!

Ryan

 

[Lisa@Caeles Hills]

Mine is 3 and 120 pounds. He is 28 1/2 at the shoulders. Some Newfs are just thinner than others naturally, and some have heavier bone. At a year old he sounds just right to me. Healthy and good energy level....cant beat that! Better on the thin side than heavy while those joints are developing. If he's going thru a growing spurt he may get hungrier and you could give him an extra meal. Mine would bring his dish when he wanted more food. He'll probably let you know, but as long as he's healthy, dont worry about putting weight on.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Does he seem to actually be LOSING weight? Or is he just thin, but maintaining? I would think this would be more relevent.
If he actually is losing weight at this stage, the use of the Satin balls, SPARINGLY, would probably be okay. If he is just lean but maintaining, then he is fine.
Do you have a way to weigh him every week for the next two or three weeks to track him?

 

[Lkorzen]

If he is only a year I wouldn't be too worried. My vet told me that they don't actually start to fill out until they hit 2 or even 3.

My guy Zacc just turned 2 and he looks very thin but my vet said that he will start to fill out soon.

 

[ardeagold]

Cole was a year and about 123 lbs so that's not too much difference. Now he's 18 mos and is 145 lbs and has still got growing to do.

I wouldn't worry if he's otherwise healthy. How tall is he at the shoulder?

 

[victoria1140]

Beau is 14 months old and 56 kgs and he is still on the chubby side , not sure if it's just growing room yet but so long as energy levels fine wouldn't worry too much

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

He's only a year old. As he matures, I would think that he'd build up more muscle to naturally bulk up. As long as he acts healthy, happy, and energetic, and has some nice muscle, I'd say keep doing what you're doing.

I purposely keep our girls very lean. Lucy has a serious heart defect, Maggie has severe bilateral HD, and I just want Brenna to stay healthy. Lucy is almost 29 inches at the shoulder, will be 5 years on Christmas Eve, and her weight varies between 113 and 119. I can easily feel all ribs and backbones, but she is happy, energetic, and doing well.

Maggie is 5 years, has a longer body and larger frame, is 29 inches, and weighs in at 135. Brenna is 4 years, has massive bones and is built like a tank, is nearly 30 inches, and weighs 140...BUT, they all have tummies tucked up like greyhounds, with very little fat. I feed 2 cups of Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish, twice a day, and increase a bit for a few meals if they seem more hungry than usual or have been exercised a lot.

 

[Katie&Ryan]

Thanks guys for the responses. I tried to measure him at the shoulder and he was 28 inches (if I did it right). I don't have a way to weigh him without doing the old weigh myself then pick him up and weigh again...that stopped at about 110 pounds. I'm not looking for him to weigh more...I just don't want to be able to feel his bones sticking out. I'll keep monitoring and try to get to the vet to get him weighed.

Thanks again!

Ryan

 

[charityd]

Louie is 28" at the shoulder and weighs about 110 pounds. He is quite slim. I just increased his food a little bit since I think his spine is too easy to feel. He's up to 5 cups a day now - a mix of Canidae and Orijen (we are transitioning to Orijen)

 

[godbout]

Atlas is 29" at the shoulder, 13 months old and ~115lbs. We also are thinking he is starting to be a little too thin but he gets 6 cups of Origen 6 fish a day (and lots of exercise!). I think that it is fine to grow them thin and they will fill out in their own time (like some people have said it can take 3 years to max out).

 

[Ohana Mom]

I would also talk to your breeder and get a sense of what his parents were like and are like. Some lines mature slower, some are just naturally on the lighter side.

 

[Bär]

Bär is 18 months old, 150 pounds [for the last 3 months], I weigh him monthly. He stands 32 inches at the shoulder. Eats 3-4 cups of Orijen puppy plus toppings a day. Not an ounce of fat on him, vet says he is solid muscle. We can feel his rips no problem.