How can I get Hootie to gain weight?? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

RLC12345678 · 12-30-2007, 02:07 PM

Hootie really needs to gain some weight. She is so tiny and frail. She weighs 3.6lbs and I would like to get her up to about 4lbs. What can I do to facilitate this?? She eats Natural Balance and I alternate between the Duck & Potato and Sweet Potato & Fish flavors. I free feed and she eats about 1/2 cup a day, which I feel is a pretty good amount. Hobbs eats the same amount and he is a good weight. At this point I don't give any treats. I don't mind giving treats but it would have to be something healthy and cheap. Any ideas on what I can do to get Hootie to gain some weight??????

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 12-30-2007, 02:11 PM

You might try a little yogurt .....it seemed to put a little weight on our girls and is good for their digestive systems.

kalina82 · 12-30-2007, 02:13 PM

morgan was always skinny when i just fed her kibble. However when i put her on the premade raw diet she gained weight and filled out nicely.

RLC12345678 · 12-30-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIL MIS' MAGIC

You might try a little yogurt .....it seemed to put a little weight on our girls and is good for their digestive systems.

Since I free-feed, when would I give her the yogurt?

RLC12345678 · 12-30-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalina82

morgan was always skinny when i just fed her kibble. However when i put her on the premade raw diet she gained weight and filled out nicely.

Thanks! I've definitely looked into the pre-made raw diets but I just don't think that is the right thing for us at this point.

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 12-30-2007, 02:21 PM

I would give her a little in the morning as a treat (or bedtime).....we gave Magic with about 1/4 a teaspoon in the morning and at night....and she was about 3 1/2 pounds. (She is currently up to 4 1/2 pounds, but that is from too many treats.) Just start really slow with a small amount so her tummy does not get upset.

I also use a little bit of boiled chicken....again just enough to get her started eating as she can be picky about eating and I only feed them morning and night.

Wylie's Mom · 12-30-2007, 02:23 PM

How 'bout some healthy fats like fish oil? Maybe some peanut butter treaties?

RLC12345678 · 12-30-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

How 'bout some healthy fats like fish oil? Maybe some peanut butter treaties?

Those are both great ideas! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! Question....I want to put fish oil on the yorkies' food...can I put it on there in the morning and leave it on there all day???? Or will the fish oil go bad? I have it in capsule form so can't I just squirt it on their food and leave it out??

Yorkie3 · 12-30-2007, 03:18 PM

For treats Rebecca, the Yorkie Yummies are loved by my four and also the carrot treats, I can't remember who I ordered them from though. I'm sure someone will know and I will know the name if I see it. Those treats are healthy.

Wylie's Mom · 12-31-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

Those are both great ideas! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! Question....I want to put fish oil on the yorkies' food...can I put it on there in the morning and leave it on there all day???? Or will the fish oil go bad? I have it in capsule form so can't I just squirt it on their food and leave it out??

Hmmm...not sure the time it takes for it to go rancid. Ideally, it would be great if she could eat it in one dose instead of grazing it (better for weight gain too). Maybe try squirting it on the edge of the dish and see if she'll lick it right up first - if so, that might work to get it in her system.

RLC12345678 · 12-31-2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkie3

For treats Rebecca, the Yorkie Yummies are loved by my four and also the carrot treats, I can't remember who I ordered them from though. I'm sure someone will know and I will know the name if I see it. Those treats are healthy.

Thank you so much, Janet! I'll check into it!!!!!!!!!!

RLC12345678 · 12-31-2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hmmm...not sure the time it takes for it to go rancid. Ideally, it would be great if she could eat it in one dose instead of grazing it (better for weight gain too). Maybe try squirting it on the edge of the dish and see if she'll lick it right up first - if so, that might work to get it in her system.

Great idea!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!! I've had these capsules for a couple of months now and just haven't figured out how to give them to the yorkies. These ideas are great!

sims822257 · 12-31-2007, 11:16 AM

Hey Rebecca....so good to see you back on here again! HOpe you are enjoying your break from school.

What about a little egg on her kibble in the AM? Either scrammble or hard boiled? I know my two LOVE egg and I am sure it would help Miss Hootie put some weight on.

Hugs to you and your three!!

EmrldShdwQueen · 12-31-2007, 11:41 AM

My vet once told me that scheduled feedings about 4 times a day actually helps them to gain weight, because they're hungry and they eat more, and it takes longer for the calories to burn off, thus they gain weight. Free feeding encourages the dog to just zip by, take a bite, and run off, therefore burning off any calories they eat. Make sense? So you might want to try scheduled feedings, at least until she gets to an ideal weight.

Suzy · 12-31-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sims822257

Hey Rebecca....so good to see you back on here again! HOpe you are enjoying your break from school.

What about a little egg on her kibble in the AM? Either scrammble or hard boiled? I know my two LOVE egg and I am sure it would help Miss Hootie put some weight on.

Hugs to you and your three!!

Egg is a great idea!

How about some 2% cottage cheese, peanut butter, or a little cheddar cheese? My two both LOVE those things...all of them could be put into a Kong toy-just fill it up, and toss it to her right before you leave.

12-30-2007, 02:07 PM	#1
RLC12345678 I heart Hootie & Hobbs Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 7,149	How can I get Hootie to gain weight?? Hootie really needs to gain some weight. She is so tiny and frail. She weighs 3.6lbs and I would like to get her up to about 4lbs. What can I do to facilitate this?? She eats Natural Balance and I alternate between the Duck & Potato and Sweet Potato & Fish flavors. I free feed and she eats about 1/2 cup a day, which I feel is a pretty good amount. Hobbs eats the same amount and he is a good weight. At this point I don't give any treats. I don't mind giving treats but it would have to be something healthy and cheap. Any ideas on what I can do to get Hootie to gain some weight?????? Last edited by RLC12345678; 12-30-2007 at 02:09 PM.

12-30-2007, 02:11 PM	#2
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,377 Blog Entries: 3	You might try a little yogurt .....it seemed to put a little weight on our girls and is good for their digestive systems. __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Lil Mis Magic, Sailor and Captain

12-30-2007, 02:13 PM	#3
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	morgan was always skinny when i just fed her kibble. However when i put her on the premade raw diet she gained weight and filled out nicely. __________________ Kellie and Morgan

12-30-2007, 02:21 PM	#6
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,377 Blog Entries: 3	I would give her a little in the morning as a treat (or bedtime).....we gave Magic with about 1/4 a teaspoon in the morning and at night....and she was about 3 1/2 pounds. (She is currently up to 4 1/2 pounds, but that is from too many treats.) Just start really slow with a small amount so her tummy does not get upset. I also use a little bit of boiled chicken....again just enough to get her started eating as she can be picky about eating and I only feed them morning and night. __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Lil Mis Magic, Sailor and Captain Last edited by LIL MIS' MAGIC; 12-30-2007 at 02:23 PM.

12-30-2007, 02:23 PM	#7
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	How 'bout some healthy fats like fish oil? Maybe some peanut butter treaties? __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

12-30-2007, 03:18 PM	#9
Yorkie3 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,686	For treats Rebecca, the Yorkie Yummies are loved by my four and also the carrot treats, I can't remember who I ordered them from though. I'm sure someone will know and I will know the name if I see it. Those treats are healthy. __________________ Janet

12-31-2007, 11:16 AM	#13
sims822257 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 3,436	Hey Rebecca....so good to see you back on here again! HOpe you are enjoying your break from school. What about a little egg on her kibble in the AM? Either scrammble or hard boiled? I know my two LOVE egg and I am sure it would help Miss Hootie put some weight on. Hugs to you and your three!! __________________ Caren, mommy to Murphy and Mia Murphy WUVS his girlfriend Trixie

12-31-2007, 11:41 AM	#14
EmrldShdwQueen No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,987	My vet once told me that scheduled feedings about 4 times a day actually helps them to gain weight, because they're hungry and they eat more, and it takes longer for the calories to burn off, thus they gain weight. Free feeding encourages the dog to just zip by, take a bite, and run off, therefore burning off any calories they eat. Make sense? So you might want to try scheduled feedings, at least until she gets to an ideal weight.