Underweight in dogs can be caused by an incorrect diet. However, illnesses can also be the cause. We explain when a dog is too thin and what steps should be taken to prevent this.
How much should my dog weigh?
Determining your dog's ideal weight is not that easy. There are rough guidelines for a pedigree dog, but these should be taken with a pinch of salt. For the Labrador, for example, a weight of 25 to 32 kilograms is considered ideal for bitches. However, a large bitch weighing 25 kilograms could already be slightly underweight. It is therefore always important to assess a dog visually. This is done using the so-called Body Condition Score (BCS), in which certain areas of the body are assessed (e.g. the ribs are visible and easy to feel). With mixed breeds, there is hardly any other option anyway. At best, the same-sex parent can serve as a guide. However, it is better to look at the dog from above and from the side and to palpate it. Take breed-specific characteristics into account. For example, it is completely normal to be able to see the ribs of a hunting dog.
Dogs are too thin if
- The dog appears sunken at the waist.
- The rib bones and hip bones are clearly protruding.
- The ribs are very clearly visible.
- The bones can be clearly felt with the hand.
- You lose muscle mass.
If you are unsure about the weight, it is best to talk to your vet. They will be able to tell you exactly what weight range is acceptable for your dog.
Causes of underweight in dogs
There are many reasons why a dog is too thin. In order to take meaningful action against this, the cause must be found. The following are possible:
- Worm infestation
A severe worm infestation can deprive the dog of important nutrients. Pay attention to whether your dog continues to eat normally and still loses weight. If there are also digestive problems, the coat is dull or you even find worms in the feces, you should have a fecal sample analyzed. This will provide information on whether and, if so, which worms are making life difficult for the dog. A worming treatment provides a quick remedy. However, you should be aware that this does not protect the dog from becoming infected with worms again relatively soon. - Inadequate food quality
Pay attention to the quality of your dog's food. It should have a high meat content and provide the dog with all essential nutrients. A high grain content is not a sign of the quality of the food. Grain and grain by-products unnecessarily burden the digestive tract and could make it impossible for the dog to get the nutrients it needs from the food. - Too little food
It is not only the quality of the food that is important, but also the quantity. The feeding recommendations on the packaging are a good guide. However, it should be borne in mind that these provide an average value. If a dog is particularly active, spends a lot of time outside even in cold weather and perhaps has a rather thin coat, it will need more energy to maintain its body weight. This can be provided by a slightly larger amount of food or a higher-energy food. - Hormonal changes
Castration occasionally results in bitches gaining weight with the same amount of food. During heat, however, the exact opposite often happens. This applies not only to bitches, but also to males who have a bitch in heat around them and then sometimes completely forget to eat. Fortunately, these phases pass, as does a change of coat, which can be quite energy-sapping. - Diseases
If a dog loses weight, it is always advisable to schedule a visit to the vet. The cause of underweight can be a disease that needs to be treated individually. Possible causes include tumor disease, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal infections, diabetes and heart disease. You should also have your dog's teeth checked to see if there are any problems. - Stress
It cannot be ruled out that stress factors may be the reason for an emaciated dog. This could be the case, for example, if the dog cannot eat in peace or a conspecific is constantly teasing him. It is important to ensure that the dog can eat without being disturbed. However, it is unavoidable if a dog pines for a person or has problems with a new home. Here, it is important to be patient and look after the dog more than usual.
What are the consequences of a dog being underweight?
Underweight should not be underestimated, as the consequences can be manifold:
- Weakened immune system
- Greater susceptibility to infections
- Dull coat
- Skin problems
- Increased risk of disease
- Nutrient deficiency
- Impaired water balance
- Breakdown of the musculature
- Lethargy
- Reduced physical performance
- Impaired wound healing
- Reduced or lack of mobility
What to do if your dog is thin?
If your dog is slightly underweight, it may be sufficient to simply increase the amount of food a little. However, as there are many other possible reasons besides an insufficient energy supply, the situation should be analyzed and the further course of events closely monitored. Perhaps a change of coat has simply sapped the dog's energy or a heat has temporarily pushed her interest in food into the background.
Slight fluctuations in weight are not unusual. However, if the weight drops steadily, an appointment with the vet should be arranged. It is important to rule out any illnesses associated with the underweight. Then you can concentrate fully on the diet. Choose a high-quality food that provides your dog with all the important nutrients. It is advantageous to divide the daily ration into at least two meals, with the last meal not being given after 5 pm.
What should you not do if your dog is underweight?
- If you have taken in a malnourished dog from an animal shelter, avoid trying to feed it up as quickly as possible. The dog should slowly get used to a steadily increasing amount of food.
- Unfortunately, some dogs are a little fussy with food. It is not a good idea to permanently compensate for smaller rations with treats. This can lead to an oversupply or undersupply of nutrients.
- If a worm infestation is suspected, you should not use any old worming product. The suspicion should first be confirmed by a vet, who will then prescribe a suitable medication.
- It is not beneficial to try to combat certain symptoms, such as a dull coat, with food supplements. It is important to find the cause and take action against it.
- An underweight dog is not capable of top performance. Nevertheless, excessive consideration should not be taken by reducing walks and joint games too much .