Feeding a malnourished dog (Sowilu)

    • Gold Top Dog

    Feeding a malnourished dog (Sowilu)

    Here is the story: A friend of Tracy does rescue work as well but she ran short of foster homes for an Aussie she pulled from the shelter and so she asked me if I could take care of her, ofcourse I said yes. She arrived today and I never imagine that she would be in the shape she is in right now. I always thought that shelters were suppose to feed dogs but this girl is just skin and bones. She appears to be an older dog probably around 5+ yrs. from the wear of her teeth. I won't denie the fact that she might be HW+ and/or that she might have some health issues. Tracy will be taking her to the vet on Wensday to make sure neither is the case but by the looks of it she might have both issues. She was found a stray and had been in the shelter for a month before she was pulled.

     In the hopes that she might be HW- and have no health issues (so far Tracy pointed out that she needs two cainines removed) I want to feed her something that will help put some weight on her. Juli (a friend of Tracy that is helping us a lot!) gave me some food made by Kirkland or something like that (I think Diamond makes it?) and I will be feeding Purina One can food that she also gave me to feed. I just need suggestions on what to put in her food that might help put some weight on her once her bill of health is cleared. Ofcourse she is being fed slowly so that her system won't enter in shock since she will be fed on a regular basis.

    • Gold Top Dog

     You got it. Small meals, often. Something fairly nutritious, but not too rich. You might get canned tripe (because it's extra tasty and boosts digestion) for topper, when the Purina One is gone.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Are three meals a day good or should I divide more? Can I get the canned tripe in the grocery store?

    • Gold Top Dog

     I've only gotten canned tripe from pet specialty stores. You want green tripe for dogs, not the cleaned tripe that people eat.

     

    I would start with 3, and see how she does. If she seems to have a hard time with eating, maybe do more, and smaller?

    • Gold Top Dog

    jennie_c_d

     I've only gotten canned tripe from pet specialty stores. You want green tripe for dogs, not the cleaned tripe that people eat.

     

    I would start with 3, and see how she does. If she seems to have a hard time with eating, maybe do more, and smaller?

    Getting the tripe from around here is going to be a tough one, I don't know of any pet store except PetSmart and I dought they sell that.

    Juli fed her a can of One and she ate that completly. I will start the kibble first thing in the morning and see how she does with that. I bought some probios the thing says it containes "a source of live (viable), naturally occurring microorganisms" it contains Lactic Acid Bacteria that I can put in her kibble starting tomorrow.

    • Gold Top Dog

    When we got Brutus he was almost 20 pounds lighter than he is now. 

    Initially, I had to feed 6 small meals a day because he couldn't handle large meals.  I fed quality kibble, & I added satin balls from time to time.  As he has gained weight, I have increased meal sizes, & decreased frequency.

    • Gold Top Dog

     You can get canned Tripett from Best Bully Sticks. They are only a couple hours from you so if you have it shipped it will arrive the next day, seriously. Shipping makes it a bit pricey but there's nothing better you could do to help that do get back on her feet, no matter what's wrong with her.

    I recommend the lamb tripe.

    Then simply feed the highest quality kibble you can find. I start with a senior formula at first, then work up to a higher protein formula. Diamond naturals or Kirkland is fine for this - Kirkland is best.  The tripe will do all the rest. Half a can a day divided between several meals, is plenty.

    • Silver

     Here is information that is SPECIFIC about feeding and caring for  malnourished animals . People forget that feeding is only a small part of the actual care it takes and that the animal is most likely suffering from much more than just malnutrition.

    http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/recovery.html