Help! My dog is underweight!
There are different types of causes for underweight. These can be divided into 3 categories: insufficient intake, loss, and increased energy use.
Insufficient energy intake:
This means the dog does not receive the right amount of food in proportion to what it uses.
- 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, which can be caused by:
- A severe worm infestation
- Frequent vomiting
- Intestinal problems
- Loss of sugar through urine
- Diabetes or kidney problems, causing frequent urination and drinking
Increased energy use:
Even though your dog eats enough or even a lot, it can still be thin. Something in the body causes the dog to use extra energy. This is often a sign of the following diseases (pregnancy and lactation do not count):
- Heart defects
- Lung diseases
- Thyroid problems
- Cancer
If your dog eats enough but still loses weight, go to the vet as soon as possible.
If you want to help an underweight dog gain weight, besides good food, various healthy supplements can also help. Think of fatty acid, vitamin, and herbal supplements. These help the body recover and give that extra boost for good health, a healthy weight, and a beautiful coat.
