Puppy weight. Healthy?

[jaxx]

Hi guys,

Jax is now 4 months old, and it has been a struggle to get him to eat since day 1! He was on Purina Pro Plan from the breeders, so we planned on continuing that when we got him at 10 weeks. He refused to eat his kibble and maybe ate 1 cup per day if we were lucky. Our vet told us to add some canned Purina dog food to his kibble and that did work for a bit. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and he would not touch it at all. Side note, we do NOT feed him any table food and he rarely get a lot of treats. When he does, it mainly consists of freeze-dried sweet potato treats. I really did not want him to grow up picky, however it already seems he has.

I have been working with a specialist at my vet who suggested I tried making homemade food for Jax. I started cooking for him and he was easily eating 5 cups of food per day without any problems! He is currently 41 pounds and seems to be gaining weight fine, however when I look at him, he still looks very thin.

I can see his ribs when he moves (which I'm told is normal) and when standing behind him, he just looks pretty thin.

I am new to homemade food, Is 5 cups enough food for him at his age? I have tried to up his food intake, but he doesn’t seem to want any more. Some days he will easily eat 5 cups of food per day and others he struggles eating 3 cups.

He is active, but I wouldn’t say he is an overly active pup. He LOVES his sleep and would honestly sleep for hours all day if I let him.

Vet said he is all healthy and no concerns with the sleepiness and she said his weight seems fine but could maybe put on a few pounds.

Does he look overly thin to you? Anything I can add to his diet to help him gain a little more weight? Is there any reason some days he doesn’t want to eat? He will gladly eat out of my hands or off the floor any day, but seems weird when it comes to eating food out of his bowls.


Here is his current food plan: (usually lasts 4-5 days)

5 pounds ground meet (I usually do beef and turkey sometimes chicken)

1 pound beef liver

1 bag frozen spinach

1 bag frozen broccoli

1 bag frozen pees and carrots

1 shredded zucchini

Sweet potatoes

6 cups rice

Calories per cup: ~405



Added to his food daily:

1 spoonful plain Greek yogurt

¼ tablespoon ester c powder

1 tablespoon chia seeds

2 pumps Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

2 Sure Grow 100- puppy vitamins


Does his current food plan look good? Anything I should be doing differently? or adding anything?


Thank you!!

 

[Two Dobes]

I do not think he looks too thin...he is 4 months old, and that is their "gangly" period...he is getting some height to him, and looks fine to me. You also have to remember pups need alot of sleep.....I can't comment on the food due to I have never fed raw, or done all homemade. I feed quality kibble and add cooked food to it.
The biggest concern should be that he is getting all he needs in terms of protein, and vitamins at this age...I am certain someone else will chime in who has more knowledge

 

[jaxx]

I do not think he looks too thin...he is 4 months old, and that is their "gangly" period...he is getting some height to him, and looks fine to me. You also have to remember pups need alot of sleep.....I can't comment on the food due to I have never fed raw, or done all homemade. I feed quality kibble and add cooked food to it.
The biggest concern should be that he is getting all he needs in terms of protein, and vitamins at this age...I am certain someone else will chime in who has more knowledge

Thanks for the response! I am new to this puppy stage as the last dobe I had was a year old when we adopted him. Just want to make sure I am doing everything right for him

 

[Gpcoguy]

He looks fit to me

 

[Kaiser2016]

He looks great! It takes the males a while to fill out but he does not appear under weight at all.

I agree that he has already become a picky eater lol. It happens pretty quick with them once you start to add special toppers

Nutrition wise, I’d skip the peas entirely and add in a raw egg plus blueberries. What’s the puppy vitamin? I like that there is liver, but what about the other organs, like heart? And bones? How are his stools?

How are you finding the home cooked diet? Seems like a lot of work and I wonder if, time and cost wise, you may want to look into a raw diet? That’s what Kaiser eats and he loves it so much he licks his bowl completely clean. He could eat all day long though and he’s very food motivated. He’s also very active so we adjust his food amounts daily. He eats about 2 lbs a day. Premade raw is a good starting point if you’re interested. It comes completely balanced with bones and organs and you can even pick options that include fruit and veg.

His gold chain is great. Any pics of him from the front?

 

[jaxx]

He looks fit to me

Thanks for your input!

 

[jaxx]

He looks great! It takes the males a while to fill out but he does not appear under weight at all.

I agree that he has already become a picky eater lol. It happens pretty quick with them once you start to add special toppers

Nutrition wise, I’d skip the peas entirely and add in a raw egg plus blueberries. What’s the puppy vitamin? I like that there is liver, but what about the other organs, like heart? And bones? How are his stools?

How are you finding the home cooked diet? Seems like a lot of work and I wonder if, time and cost wise, you may want to look into a raw diet? That’s what Kaiser eats and he loves it so much he licks his bowl completely clean. He could eat all day long though and he’s very food motivated. He’s also very active so we adjust his food amounts daily. He eats about 2 lbs a day. Premade raw is a good starting point if you’re interested. It comes completely balanced with bones and organs and you can even pick options that include fruit and veg.

His gold chain is great. Any pics of him from the front?

Thanks for your response!

His stools are now solid and he goes 2-3 times per day. Before I started home cooked diet (when he was on kibble and wet food), he had very loose stools and would go about 6-7 times per day and always seemed to have stomach issues.

A specialist at my vet gave me the recipe, but I am still skeptical about him getting all the nutrients he needs.

I have thought about the idea of feeding a raw diet (as home cooked does take a lot of time) I just have no idea where to start!

Where do you find premade raw? I would love to give it at shot. I am concerned on how it will affect his stomach, but I do hear so many success stories!

Here's a picture from the front

 

[Gpcoguy]

I buy frozen raw patties at the pet food store

 

[jaxx]

I buy frozen raw patties at the pet food store

Awesome, thanks will check that out!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

40 lbs. at 4 mo. is not underweight. It's more than most Dobes weigh at that age, it seems to me. He must have good height.

He looks great! Most likely, his chest and ribcage will widen just a little bit later on, but they are already fine. Your boy is wider than my male. Mine is very narrow in the chest and always will be.

But yes, Dobes – especially males – take a long time to fill out. Some are not all done until 4 yrs.! This is amazing to me, as my Dobes have lived until age 8, so they haven't been fully mature physically for half their life.

Generally, feeding more doesn't do anything to ensure a dog will be a larger dog.

 

[jaxx]

40 lbs. at 4 mo. is not underweight. It's more than most Dobes weigh at that age, it seems to me. He must have good height.

He looks great! Most likely, his chest and ribcage will widen just a little bit later on, but they are already fine. Your boy is wider than my male. Mine is very narrow in the chest and always will be.

But yes, Dobes – especially males – take a long time to fill out. Some are not all done until 4 yrs.! This is amazing to me, as my Dobes have lived until age 8, so they haven't been fully mature physically for half their life.

Generally, feeding more doesn't do anything to ensure a dog will be a larger dog.

Thank you!

I definitely do not want to feed him to ensure he will be a larger dog. I just want to make sure he is not underweight and is getting all of the nutrients he needs to be healthy.
I have heard that males do take longer to fill out, but glad to know he does not look underweight!

 

[Ravenbird]

I think his weight looks fine for his age & agree that they need lots of sleep. I'd rather see him more excited to eat though, it just seems to me like a puppy should love to eat! The only thing with your homemade recipe that is concerning is the lack of calcium plus without the weights of the ingredients besides the meats, I can't tell what the ratios are regarding meat protein to veggies & carbs. Ratios are important, especially a growing puppy! Calcium is extremely important to a growing pup, but calcium supplements can be tricky because too much can cause problems too. Generally speaking a raw diet which is commercially made will be totally balanced for dogs of all ages if you want to try that. What most of us agree with here, is that "All Life Stages" food is better for a Doberman puppy than food formulated for puppies. Best of luck - keep us posted with more photos as he grows into himself!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Dobermans do look good in gold!

Kaiser was the same way on kibble...always stomach/poop issues. I get my premade raw from a pet store. They have a freezer section that will have several options and price points. I know Primal is awesome and will likely be available for you especially if you are looking at a big box pet store like pet smart, but I found their freezer section to be very small when compared to smaller privately run pet shops. Usually a local vendor will have cheaper prices. Buy a bag for a week and give it a test. Long term, the bulk boxes have the best price points. The change from kibble to raw can be seen overnight just in the volume of poop, but from homemade diet to raw, you'll have to let us know what you find. I'm thinking the presence of bones should make a difference - even smaller and fewer poops? - maybe it's possible! Maybe you will think he's constipated at first - I'd keep track of poop times. Probably even toss in a few corn kernels so you can time his digestion (the corn will come out looking the same way as it went in assuming you feed the kernels whole).

 

[jaxx]

Hey everyone,
Thanks for all of your input and advice! As per some of your suggestions, I went to the store today and bought some premade raw- specifically this: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...s-grain-free-natural-beef-recipe-dry-dog-food
It says on the back severing size for his weight (41 pounds) 3-5 patties per day. I don’t see anywhere the calorie count so unsure if 3 is enough or 5 is too many. Anyone have any experience with this? Should I start with 4 per day and if he seems hungry, give him another? I already gave him 1 and he devoured it in 5 seconds! Fingers crossed he does well with raw and I can continue this.

 

[jaxx]

Dobermans do look good in gold!

Kaiser was the same way on kibble...always stomach/poop issues. I get my premade raw from a pet store. They have a freezer section that will have several options and price points. I know Primal is awesome and will likely be available for you especially if you are looking at a big box pet store like pet smart, but I found their freezer section to be very small when compared to smaller privately run pet shops. Usually a local vendor will have cheaper prices. Buy a bag for a week and give it a test. Long term, the bulk boxes have the best price points. The change from kibble to raw can be seen overnight just in the volume of poop, but from homemade diet to raw, you'll have to let us know what you find. I'm thinking the presence of bones should make a difference - even smaller and fewer poops? - maybe it's possible! Maybe you will think he's constipated at first - I'd keep track of poop times. Probably even toss in a few corn kernels so you can time his digestion (the corn will come out looking the same way as it went in assuming you feed the kernels whole).

I just bought this premade raw at the pet store https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...s-grain-free-natural-beef-recipe-dry-dog-food
Any idea how many to feed per day? It says for his weight (41 pounds) 3-5 per day. I don't see the calories anywhere so I just want to make sure I am not under or over feeding.

Jax seemed to love the pre-made raw and devoured a patty in under 5 seconds!
I'm hoping he does well with the transition from homemade diet to raw, I only hear good things when it comes to raw!

 

[Ravenbird]

If I had deeper pockets I'd be happy to be feeding that! Ingredients look great. A lot of times when it says grain free there will be lentils or pea protein, but I don't see that on the list. And he likes it! can't help you on the amount, I'd keep feeding your homemade and make an easy transition to it.

I agree with others about the gold collar - love it!

 

[jaxx]

If I had deeper pockets I'd be happy to be feeding that! Ingredients look great. A lot of times when it says grain free there will be lentils or pea protein, but I don't see that on the list. And he likes it! can't help you on the amount, I'd keep feeding your homemade and make an easy transition to it.

I agree with others about the gold collar - love it!

Ugh.. It sure is pricy! Hoping that mixing it with my homemade (at least for now) will stretch it a little longer LOL.

Thanks for the compliments about the gold collar! People look frightened by him whenever we take him out..little do they know how big of a baby he is and would probably run up to them and lick their faces if we let him!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Any idea how many to feed per day? It says for his weight (41 pounds) 3-5 per day. I don't see the calories anywhere so I just want to make sure I am not under or over feeding.

Is each patty a half pound? Kaiser will eat 4 of those in a day, so 2 lbs total, but he is 78 lbs. You will have to see what amount works best for him. If this first patty works ok (no diarrhea), I'd just transition right over to the raw.

The trial period may be pricey, but once you know what to look for, you can find a similar premade food that might be cheaper and then buy it in bulk. I get 25 lb, some brands even have a 50 lb box, and that comes in much cheaper. My pet shop gets enough variety so I'm always able to try different raw brands. It can also be cheaper if you get the large 'chub' instead of the pre-sliced patties, some patties come in their own individually sealed packages, so all those details impact the cost.

 

[jaxx]

Is each patty a half pound? Kaiser will eat 4 of those in a day, so 2 lbs total, but he is 78 lbs. You will have to see what amount works best for him. If this first patty works ok (no diarrhea), I'd just transition right over to the raw.

The trial period may be pricey, but once you know what to look for, you can find a similar premade food that might be cheaper and then buy it in bulk. I get 25 lb, some brands even have a 50 lb box, and that comes in much cheaper. My pet shop gets enough variety so I'm always able to try different raw brands. It can also be cheaper if you get the large 'chub' instead of the pre-sliced patties, some patties come in their own individually sealed packages, so all those details impact the cost.

Each patty is 4oz.

He had his first one around 1 pm and had another one just now. I did not mix it with any homemade food with his second patty.
He seems to devour it so quickly and looks at his bowl like he is starving.. but maybe he just really enjoys them!

I will definitely check to see if I can find them in bulk or found a large "chub" instead of the pre-sliced patties. I'm thinking we will just go straight into raw since his poop was pretty solid a few hours after the first patty!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Ok, so that's a quarter pound. You must have bought the little ones. They have all different sizes, but bigger will be cheaper. The biggest size portion I ever bought was a 2 lb piece and it was shaped like a brick - I bet it would even break a window

Sounds like good progress! It's so convenient too.