kps1979 1,308 Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hi, at the moment I'm feeding my lurcher and border terrier, superdog active dry food, the terrier looks and is in really good shape, my lurcher sometimes can't eat her food fast enough but other times turns her nose up at it, Id like to put more weight on her so I'm asking what other food should I be giving her to put on weight? She's 13 month old and a deerhound x collie greyhound x beddy whippet x collie greyhound, thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sandymere 8,263 Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Basically its all down to calories, the more calories it eats the more weight it will put on, unfortunately it will be fat as feeding alone does not build muscle. First question would be why do you want more weight? dogs that are given the right amount of food will develop the physique that best suits the exercise pattern lifestyle they lead based on there genetic background. An example would be a dog that spends a lot of time pulling on the lead will develop a muscular frame, bit like a weight lifter, one that does a lot of trotting type road work will develop a lighter frame, think marathon runner. Extra weight above that that is required is more of a hindrance that a help for a working dog. If you do need for the dog to gain weight then fat has around double the calories of protein or carbs so adding fat into the diet will have the biggest effect without overloading the stomach. Fatty meat or just adding a couple of table spoons of cooking oil or lard added to the complete each feed will give a gradual boost whilst encouraging the dog to eat it. (not to much or it will get the squits) As its exercise builds up through work it will need increased calories so then adding the extra fat will allow the protein from the complete to be utilised for building/repairing rather than energy which is not a bad thing. Adding table scraps and rabbits once she starts working well will add some variety, the odd egg will help. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kps1979 1,308 Posted December 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 Basically its all down to calories, the more calories it eats the more weight it will put on, unfortunately it will be fat as feeding alone does not build muscle. First question would be why do you want more weight? dogs that are given the right amount of food will develop the physique that best suits the exercise pattern lifestyle they lead based on there genetic background. An example would be a dog that spends a lot of time pulling on the lead will develop a muscular frame, bit like a weight lifter, one that does a lot of trotting type road work will develop a lighter frame, think marathon runner. Extra weight above that that is required is more of a hindrance that a help for a working dog. If you do need for the dog to gain weight then fat has around double the calories of protein or carbs so adding fat into the diet will have the biggest effect without overloading the stomach. Fatty meat or just adding a couple of table spoons of cooking oil or lard added to the complete each feed will give a gradual boost whilst encouraging the dog to eat it. (not to much or it will get the squits) As its exercise builds up through work it will need increased calories so then adding the extra fat will allow the protein from the complete to be utilised for building/repairing rather than energy which is not a bad thing. Adding table scraps and rabbits once she starts working well will add some variety, the odd egg will help. thanks for that, shes doing ok with rabbits so i will give her some, how do you feed them? ie, gutted, skinned, etc thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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