Help! My dog is underweight!
There are several possible causes of being underweight. These can be divided into 3 categories: insufficient intake, loss, and increased energy expenditure.
Insufficient energy intake:
As a result, the dog does not receive the right amount of food in relation to what it consumes
- The dog does not get enough food
- The food is of poor quality
- The dog has little appetite
- The dog does not like the food
- The dog has dental problems
- The dog is ill
Energy loss:
The dog eats enough but uses up the energy before it can benefit from it. This may be caused by:
- A severe worm infestation
- Regular vomiting
- Intestinal problems
- Loss of sugar through the urine
- Diabetes or kidney problems, causing the dog to urinate and drink regularly
Increased energy expenditure:
Even if your dog eats enough—or even a great deal—it can still be underweight. Something in the body is causing the dog to use extra energy. This is often a sign of the following conditions (pregnancy and lactation are not included):
- Heart defects
- Lung diseases
- Thyroid problems
- Cancer
If your dog is eating enough but is still losing weight, see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you want to help an underweight dog gain weight again, various healthy extras can help in addition to good food. These include fatty acid, vitamin, and herbal supplements. They help the body recover and provide that extra boost for good health, a healthy weight, and a beautiful coat.
