If your dog is losing weight but eating, a visit to your veterinarian is in order. Like people, dogs can lose weight for many reasons. Rapid weight loss can be a sign of serious underlying health conditions. But it may also be that your dog is more active and burning more calories than before.
If your dog continues to lose weight for no apparent reason, schedule an appointment with your vet. Keep on reading to find out the most common causes for sudden weight loss in dogs and what you can do about it. However, if you have detected that your dog is eating well but still losing weight, then speak with your veterinarian as soon as possible. While dogs can lose weight for many different reasons, getting slimmer is never normal unless your dog is on a planned diet.
Instead, take your dog to the veterinarian so they can identify the problem and offer your pup the necessary treatment. Not all cases of weight loss in dogs are caused by diseases. At the end of the day, your dog ends up eating fewer calories than it needs and, as a result, starts losing weight sooner or later. These changes are easy to miss since many dog foods are labeled in a very confusing way.
If the food is the same as before, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. But, if it turns out that the formula was changed and has fewer calories, simply start feeding your dog more of it. While weight loss due to intestinal parasites is not as common as it once was, it is still a viable possibility. While most dog owners stay up-to-date with monthly deworming treatments, which offer protection against intestinal parasites and heartworms, , there are many different types of intestinal parasites, and not all deworming treatments are equally effective.
The main issue with intestinal parasites is that they consume all the food the dog eats, thus depriving it of all necessary nutrients. Intestinal parasites may be to blame if your dog is eating a lot but losing weight. Luckily, intestinal parasites are easy to diagnose through a fecal exam and are treated by a broad-spectrum dewormer.
After a successful treatment, a monthly deworming medicine is the best preventative. Unfortunately, diabetes is often diagnosed in older dogs, especially in females.
If your older dog is losing weight but eating and is also drinking a lot of water, you should take them to your veterinarian. Most dogs with diabetes lose weight very quickly and may also start to lose muscle mass. And since diabetes causes excessive thirst, your dog will also have to urinate excessively and may have accidents in the house even if properly housetrained.
Your veterinarian will run blood glucose tests and a urinalysis to determine whether your dog has diabetes. When the diagnosis of diabetes is confirmed, the treatment will include insulin shots and a specialized diet. This means that all essential nutrients your dog eats every day just pass through their digestive system without being absorbed by the body.
A dog with a maldigestion disorder will have a healthy appetite but will continue to lose weight. If your dog is hyperactive, he could be using too much energy and consuming calories and stored fat. Finally, one possible cause is a problem in his diet.
It could be that he is given less food or if he is given enough food, it is the wrong kind of food. Generally, your dog loses weight when what he takes in is less than what he is using.
If your dog is underweight, he may develop any of the following:. Generally speaking, being skinny is associated with being underweight. However, there are instances when being skinny is okay. Various dog breeds are naturally skinny. Thus, if your dog belongs to any of these breeds, it is more likely that it is normal to have him look skinny and lean. You still have to check what the normal weight for your dog.
If it is below the normal weight of his breed, then you need to correct the problem. Your vet is your partner in taking care of your pet. Each stew contains flavorful chunks of meat and veggies.
These snackable parmesan biscuits are big on flavor and easy to snap for portion control, so you can keep track of how many calories your dog gets with each bite. Check out these recipes you can use to craft tasty and nutritious meals for your unique pup. From food and toppers to training treats and supplements, The Honest Kitchen gives cat and dog owners healthy, natural options to provide their pet the longest, happiest life possible.
Liz is also the founder of Love on a Leash therapy dogs; her dog, Bones, goes on visits on a regular basis. A prolific writer, Liz is also the author of more than 80 books. Liz shares her home with three English Shepherds: Bones, Hero, and Seven, as well as one confident and bossy orange tabby cat, Kirk. If you see an RV on the road named "Travelin' Dogs", honk and say hi! Stress or Anxiety A week of spooky thunderstorms, strangers visiting, a new dog in the house, going to the groomer — stress-induced weight loss is another possibility.
Age Weight fluctuates naturally as your dog ages. How To Tell if Your Dog Is a Healthy Weight All breeds have a healthy weight range, and you can refer to a breed weight chart for a quick reference point.
Follow these three steps and it may be helpful to take pictures : Rib check: Get your dog into a comfortable standing position and run both of your palms across their ribcage, one hand on either side. Notice how easily you can feel their ribs, spine, hips, and tail bones. Profile check: Crouch level with your dog and view them from the side. See if their abdomen is tucked up, visibly curving upward from their rib cage.
You may have to feel their abdomen area if their coat is in the way. Overhead check: Look down at your dog from an overhead angle and check whether you can see their waist behind their ribs. Then, compare your dog to the chart below. Keep a Health Journal One of the best pieces of weight gaining advice we can give is to create a detailed health journal for your dog. Weigh Your Dog Regularly Most weight loss programs for people recommend weekly weigh-ins, and the same applies to your canine.
Feed Them Small Meals Often Set up a feeding schedule so your dog eats three or four small meals each day rather than one or two large meals. Incorporate Exercise It may seem counterproductive to recommend exercise for a dog who needs to gain weight.
Sweet potatoes Sweet potatoes are the ultimate superfood for dogs and humans, with lots of Vitamin A for strong nerves, bones, and muscles. Peanut butter Dogs love peanut butter! Pumpkin Pumpkins are hydrating, high in fiber, and also rich in Vitamin A and zinc.
Foods That The Honest Kitchen Recommends Take a look at these foods specially formulated to support the proper weight and diet for your canine. Dehydrated Beef Mix Lay a healthy foundation with this delicious mix of beef, sweet potatoes, and kale. Bone Broth Pour Overs Enhance any bowl of food with this rich, nourishing bone broth.
Parmesan Pecks These snackable parmesan biscuits are big on flavor and easy to snap for portion control, so you can keep track of how many calories your dog gets with each bite.
Beef and Veggie Balls Simple, powerful ingredients make this perfect for weight gain.
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