Gun Dog Forum

My 3 weims are on a 22-14 food 4 cups a day. They all weigh about 70. Get quite a bit of exercize almost daily.They are just too thin. Tops of hip bones are visible.I have fed more but this seems to be about the correct amount judging by their stools. I. Want to add olive oil to fatten them up a little.
Does anyone have a guideline /paramaters for adding the olive oil? Thanks

I would never use and increase in fats to put weight on my dogs.

If you are using a well balanced quality dog food, I then would adjust the amount of that food they get every day. I am suspicious from your post, that you are exercising your dogs more then the average 'Joe'. Dog food 'recommends' the amount a dog should have based on weight and sometimes age of the dog. These suggested serving amounts have to be based on what they estimate the average dogs activity level is. Therefore, if you do not fall into that average profile, you have to adjust the daily intake, in that way they can put on weight by eating a well balance dog food!


At least that is my 2 cents worth...Good Luck!

I'm with Timewise. Olive oil is 100% fat and contains 120 calories in 1 Tbsp, but so does any other vegetable or animal fat. A better choice might be a higher calorie super premium dog food. I feed NutriSource Super Performance Premium Dog Food, but I'm sure there are others that will work as well. Or, if they're good eaters and you have a genuinely good quality food, just feed more chow. You don't say how old your dogs are, but based on age, individual metabolism and exercise, 4 cups a day may simply not be enough. I'd go to a higher quality performance food if I were you. Price may be higher than you're used to, but you'll get more usable nutrition and you'll get better results for your dogs.

You don't say what brand of dog food you are feeding but a formula with 22% protein and 14% fat is probably our problem. If your dogs are getting as much exercise as you say then you need a kibble that is at least 30% protein and 20% fat. You need to change your food rather than add olive oil.

I agree with the above, and would switch to a more performance type formulation in the range of 30/20. As an example, my 70+ dog maintains really well on about 2 1/2 - 3 cups a day with lots of daily exercise.

Agreed, 30/20 for an active dog, no need for oil.

I have had some issues with my young male dogs not carrying enough weight. I feed PPP Performance all life stages. In creasing the food amount only causes loose stools. I add coconut oil to their regular diet and I think it helps. Generally I feed about 4 cups a day in two feedings and add one tablespoon of oil. You need saturated fat. Don't think vegetable or olive oil or is saturated fat......Cj

An old timer told me to throw a few pieces of white bread in wiht a dog that was too skinny. White bread makes me gain weight so it can't be that crazy. He was a hound man.

We need Ezzy333 here to clarify things for a few of you guys.

Vegetable oils are not the solution. More protein will help the dogs gain muscle weight.

weimdogman wrote: ↑

Mon May 20, 2019 9:21 am

My 3 weims are on a 22-14 food 4 cups a day. They all weigh about 70. Get quite a bit of exercize almost daily.They are just too thin. Tops of hip bones are visible.I have fed more but this seems to be about the correct amount judging by their stools. I. Want to add olive oil to fatten them up a little.
Does anyone have a guideline /paramaters for adding the olive oil? Thanks

Excuse me. Stools are shite! Raw bone indicate to me that the dog either isn't getting enough feed of the dog simply doesn't do well on the feed. I'd up the feed and if that doesn't work, change feed. Was told years ago to put weight on a dog, add cottage cheese to the food. Why in the world buy a food that is supposed to be balanced and change it because you think it could be better? if you don't want to change food, up what your feeding. All dog's do not do well on the same feed!

A 22% Protein and 14% fat is a problem for any working dog. A 30/20 would ultimately what you would be looking for such as Native Dog Food #3 or #4 and is very reasonably prized.

Everybody afraid to say Purina pro plan sport 30-20 ? All of our hard working dogs on it.

purina pro plan----salmon & rice---30 / 20

art hubbard wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2019 7:10 am

purina pro plan----salmon & rice---30 / 20

I had my other pointer on that for a while. At 500 kcal/cup it's some heavy duty food. It will put weight on fast. I'm guessing the OPs food is down near 300-350 kcal/cup