Guest kkaiser104 Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Teddi's been on the Iams green bag for about 2 weeks now. I switched him to this from Kirkland Chicken and Rice because his belly absolutely could not handle the Kirkland. But, he never seems satisfied with his food. Tonight I watched him scrounge around for 30 minutes looking for something before bed. He gets 2 cups in the morning (5-6am), 2 cups between 5-6 pm, and another cup after the dog park, around 9pm. I know that sounds like a lot of food, but he isn't gaining weight! He's still a little thin. Teddi came off the track at 72 pounds and now sits right around 73 pounds, give or take a little. He's 2.5 and we get A LOT of exercise. I still have a lot of Iams left, so I want to let that run out before trying to switch. Is there anything I can give him (extras in the kibble) to make him more satisfied? I know a lot of people will tell me that he's just being a greyhound, and he would eat until he explodes, but that really is not the case. I know him. He isn't full once 11pm rolls around and it's a LONG time until breakfast. He does get 1-2 milkbones before bed (or I would never get sleep). He was just dewormed last week and I haven't seen worms in his poop. He poops A LOT--3-4 times a day. I think he's just a bit of a naturally slim boy, but he really just seems so hungry! Am I not feeding enough? Should I add some extras? And when the time comes, is there a type of food i should switch to or mix in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 I would add a little more food if he really is still a little thin. Just like people, every dog needs a different calorie intake. I have 2 hounds. Sailor is 65# and eats 4.5 cups a day. Bu is 83# and eats about 7-8 (hes allowed as much as he wants) cups a day and is still pretty thin. I know hounds of all different weights on the same food as them that only get 2-3 cups a day and look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest team_tonio Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 What about a marrow bone or something he has to work at for a late night snack? Thatd keep him busy awhile Ps did you know that petsmart and petco will both give a full refund for your half eaten bag of food if you bought it there? Just need a receipt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest goofydog Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Get Em has gotten a bit picky about dinner so I have started adding a small container of wet food for that meal. Breakfast gets eaten immediately so I think he may be gaming me on dinner! He is 10 and was 72# when he retired at 2 years of age(failed schooling) and has pretty much kept that weight for the past 8 years. He also gets mini-carrots, green beans, cottage cheese and yogurt along with the usual treats. I changed his kibble to the grain free Kirkland brand a couple of months ago from the Chicken & Rice and he is doing well on it. ZHave you tried a frozen Kong in the afternoon or at bedtime? Those tend to keep them busy for quite a bit and provide nutrition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bethac Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 You said he was just dewormed, but did you take a stool sample in for testing? There are many types of worms and most cannot be detected unless under a microscope (tapeworms are the exception). Hook worms are particularly nasty - it can take multiple rounds of deworming to get rid of them. I'm bringing this up because one of our hounds was the same way - always so hungry - never gaining weight. We kept adding more and more food (6 cups at day at one point, she's only a 60 lb broodie!) ... still no weight gain. Turns out it was all due to worms. It took 5 treatments to finally eradicate the worms. Then she gained weight and we reduced her food to the same amount we were giving our other hound (about 3 cups a day). I would take a stool sample in for testing. Good luck - even if he just needs more food, at least you'll know for certain there isn't something else going on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHead Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Any extra protein source will help to fill him up...you can add things like canned tuna, canned sardines, stewing beef, cottage cheese, eggs, ground meat, beef heart, liver, etc. I constantly add different things, it keeps things interesting (and healthy!). Teague actually weighs less/the same as his racing weight and he eats like a horse but he also gets a lot of exercise so I think he just stays pretty lean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kkaiser104 Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 You said he was just dewormed, but did you take a stool sample in for testing? There are many types of worms and most cannot be detected unless under a microscope (tapeworms are the exception). Hook worms are particularly nasty - it can take multiple rounds of deworming to get rid of them. I'm bringing this up because one of our hounds was the same way - always so hungry - never gaining weight. We kept adding more and more food (6 cups at day at one point, she's only a 60 lb broodie!) ... still no weight gain. Turns out it was all due to worms. It took 5 treatments to finally eradicate the worms. Then she gained weight and we reduced her food to the same amount we were giving our other hound (about 3 cups a day). I would take a stool sample in for testing. Good luck - even if he just needs more food, at least you'll know for certain there isn't something else going on! It was checked, and the vet told me it all came back negative. We're going up to OSU in 2 weeks for a wellness exam, I'll take a sample up and have it re-run up there. Is it ever possible to get a false negative? And I'm sure he'd go crazy for canned tuna and sardines! I'll pick some up tonight and add it into his dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 I have never owned a dog that wouldn't eat as much and as often as I allowed him. On what are you basing your assessment that he's "too thin"? Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kkaiser104 Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 I have never owned a dog that wouldn't eat as much and as often as I allowed him. On what are you basing your assessment that he's "too thin"? Can clearly see all ribs and backbone. He looks exactly like he did when I picked him up from the kennel and they told me then he should pack on a few pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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