When i got Lana she was all bones, so after a month of so she put enough weight on where she was perfect weight. Lana is a naturally lean dog being a border collie mix. Since i started Winnie on her diet and exercise program, i included Lana and Syd in it too, by taking them to the dog park every day for at least two hours. When at the park Lana runs and runs, chasing the fence. After the park I like to go running and since Lana has so much energy i take her with me, she is a great running buddy. However lately I have notice she is getting boney agian.When i feel her sides, I can feel all her ribs, she isnt unhealthy just super skinny. I have increased her food since i increased her exercise. So she gets about 3 cups of dry food a day.She is 45 pounds. I know the only reason she is so skinny is because of her high energy and that she runs all the time. Is this bad? Should I cut down on her exercise, or is it ok for her to be skinny as long as she is healthy and getting enough food? Some people at the park pet her and comment on how skinny she is. She has longish fur so when you look at her you cant tell, you can only tell when you pet her. Oh and the rest of her is boney too, like her hips and stuff but it doesnt look like how she did when i first got her. She is a large dog, the same height if not a little taller then my Lab Winnie, and she is only 45pounds, seems like to little to me, since Winnie should be 60 pounds.Thanks!
if only i could be in as good of shpe as Lana. My friend said if Lana was a person she would be one of those super skinny models and a track runner...lol.
How old is lana? If she's young, that skinniness will probably fill out. Otherwise, I dont think you don't have to worry, as long as she's healthy and getting enough to eat. After all, she is a supermodel! lol
She should be fine. My finnish spitz is really skinny too and has always been for 8 years. She is just an active dog I would only worry if she starts getting dangerously skinny. Your friend is probebly right......lol
Daisy...Lana is probly 1 1/2 years old. Not sure since i rescued her.When i got her they said she was 1 year but then she sprouted, got really tall, so she could have been younger.
Has she been wormed? Would not hurt to get her a 3 day dose of Panacur next time you are at the vets, or, if they will dispense w/o exam, just buy it from them and give it. Worms hatch out at intervals and a dog that is wormed can have more weeks later. I would not give over the counter wormers, except Nemex2, which is real safe, but does not treat whip, or tapes like the Panacur does. I do my dogs every year, whether they need it or not. If she ate a flea that she picked up at the park, while scratching it, she could get tapes. Check the poop, but I would worm her just so you know it has been done and that was not the reason she is skinny. Also, put her on puppy food, it is higher in calories/protein. Much better for working dogs. I feed it to all my dogs, regardless of age. If they start to get fat on it, I reduce the amount in the measuring cup, for them accordingly. I feed kibble, Nature's Recipe, or Nutro Natural Choice, usually.
Maybe since she is so active you should up what she eats. I'm not sure I have never dealt with a skinny dog. I do know though that my lab was extremly active/hyper and he weighed like 80 pounds, but it was muscle. Oscar isn't active and he eats 6 cups a day of diamond lamb and rice.
Another thing you could do is feed her a kibble for high performance dogs which has a higher fat content. I know Fromm's has one and I'm sure other manufacturers do as well.
Thank you everyone for all your replies, I will check with my Vet about the worms and check out switching her food and maybe giving her more. Thanks agian, you guys are so helpfull!!!!
I would only worry if she starts getting dangerously skinny. Your friend is probebly right......lol
