Skinny Yorkie, should I switch food? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

slapp1 · 01-04-2013, 12:59 PM

Winston is 16 months old and about 3.5 lbs. I can feel his ribs, backbone, hips. He has kibble out at all times (Natural Balance). I started to feed him table food to try to get him to eat more. Just a little cooked chicken or turkey on top of his kibble. Sometimes a tablespoon or less of shredded cheese. He gobbles up the people food, and then might start eating the kibble.

He needs to go to the vet this month for his annual shots, but I thought other Yorkie owners might have more knowledge on this topic than the vet.

Any ideas? I was wondering if I should try Blue Buffalo instead of Natural Balance.

chachi · 01-04-2013, 01:09 PM

What does you vet say about his weight he may just be tiny framed. Does he seem to eat much? What you dont want to do is over compensate and give him fat then him get overweight which is hard on the joints. I would speak to your vet about it

Nancy1999 · 01-04-2013, 02:50 PM

Free fed dogs aren't as enthused about the food as dogs that are made to wait for it. If you are going to free feed, I suggest you throw the food out and give fresh at least once or twice a day, stale food can be unappetizing. I agree with Chachi, this is something to ask your vet. If you are going to give people foods, try to give something low fat, too much fat not only puts weight on it can cause pancreatitis. Some dogs don't put on weight because of liver problems and giving too much protein can hurt them, so you might want to do some tests if your vet advises it.

MikaTallulah · 01-04-2013, 05:59 PM

Roxy is 3.5-4 pounds and thin but small framed.

Her littermate Zoey had a slightly bigger frame and was 5 pounds- Same length but Roxy was taller. Roxy is a leggy girl and super active. She burns her food right off.

Table food will make him a picky eater. I am not a fan of free feeding. Mine get breakfast and dinner with snacks. If they don't finish there food within 15 minutes it is gone because Buddy the Golden will eat it up on them after that.

ironmike86 · 01-04-2013, 07:45 PM

You shouldn't feel the hip bones. The ribs are fine. The back bone not alot of it. IME If you feel the ribs and nothing else I believe he at the right weight. I tend to like my dogs fit but would rather have them slightly heavier then thinner. If they get sick and don't eat they waste away fast . Small dogs. IME

LilAnnCamp · 01-04-2013, 08:51 PM

Is he on HWP? Sometimes worms can make a difference in weight.

DBlain · 01-07-2013, 07:01 AM

the vet will know if he is too skinny for his size, my advice when at the vet is to get a complete blood work up that tests things like liver and kidney function. My friend's dog was very skinny and not putting weight on and it had liver shunt (also had very poor quality hair). I am not saying that could be the case, it's probably not but I have learned that you know so little about your dog just based on the vet looking at them, that the real serious stuff is not caught until must worse symptoms develop. I now get a blood test starting with the day I bring home a new puppy home and every year following. It gives me a good base line going forward on any change in their health.

sandy simpson · 01-07-2013, 07:27 AM

I would try the Blue Buffalo. My dogs love it. Of course I make it tasty by adding a little water and a teaspoon of wet food from Blue Buffalo. I like this company. They have food for all ages of dog. I bet he will like this taste and this kibble. I hope it works and he gains a little weight. I would still get him checked out at the vet.

01-04-2013, 12:59 PM	#1
slapp1 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Emmaus, PA, USA Posts: 17	Skinny Yorkie, should I switch food? Winston is 16 months old and about 3.5 lbs. I can feel his ribs, backbone, hips. He has kibble out at all times (Natural Balance). I started to feed him table food to try to get him to eat more. Just a little cooked chicken or turkey on top of his kibble. Sometimes a tablespoon or less of shredded cheese. He gobbles up the people food, and then might start eating the kibble. He needs to go to the vet this month for his annual shots, but I thought other Yorkie owners might have more knowledge on this topic than the vet. Any ideas? I was wondering if I should try Blue Buffalo instead of Natural Balance.

01-04-2013, 01:09 PM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	What does you vet say about his weight he may just be tiny framed. Does he seem to eat much? What you dont want to do is over compensate and give him fat then him get overweight which is hard on the joints. I would speak to your vet about it __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-04-2013, 02:50 PM	#3
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	Free fed dogs aren't as enthused about the food as dogs that are made to wait for it. If you are going to free feed, I suggest you throw the food out and give fresh at least once or twice a day, stale food can be unappetizing. I agree with Chachi, this is something to ask your vet. If you are going to give people foods, try to give something low fat, too much fat not only puts weight on it can cause pancreatitis. Some dogs don't put on weight because of liver problems and giving too much protein can hurt them, so you might want to do some tests if your vet advises it. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

01-04-2013, 05:59 PM	#4
MikaTallulah YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 1,812	Roxy is 3.5-4 pounds and thin but small framed. Her littermate Zoey had a slightly bigger frame and was 5 pounds- Same length but Roxy was taller. Roxy is a leggy girl and super active. She burns her food right off. Table food will make him a picky eater. I am not a fan of free feeding. Mine get breakfast and dinner with snacks. If they don't finish there food within 15 minutes it is gone because Buddy the Golden will eat it up on them after that. __________________ Beware of Nestle Purina Cozy (4/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/08), Lucy (4/09); Buddy 4/09- Rescued 12/11); Mika ('98) & Tallulah ('00) RIP Harley 4/2009; Lucky 11/2010; Zoey 4/2012

01-04-2013, 08:51 PM	#6
LilAnnCamp LovingLifeWithAnimals Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 2,048	Is he on HWP? Sometimes worms can make a difference in weight. __________________ Ann & Milo, Buttons, Dooley, Mr. Bigglesworth, & Crimson The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10

01-04-2013, 07:45 PM	#5
ironmike86 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,628	You shouldn't feel the hip bones. The ribs are fine. The back bone not alot of it. IME If you feel the ribs and nothing else I believe he at the right weight. I tend to like my dogs fit but would rather have them slightly heavier then thinner. If they get sick and don't eat they waste away fast . Small dogs. IME

01-07-2013, 07:01 AM	#7
DBlain Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland County MI Posts: 6,190	the vet will know if he is too skinny for his size, my advice when at the vet is to get a complete blood work up that tests things like liver and kidney function. My friend's dog was very skinny and not putting weight on and it had liver shunt (also had very poor quality hair). I am not saying that could be the case, it's probably not but I have learned that you know so little about your dog just based on the vet looking at them, that the real serious stuff is not caught until must worse symptoms develop. I now get a blood test starting with the day I bring home a new puppy home and every year following. It gives me a good base line going forward on any change in their health. __________________ Lola my amazing little yorkie-pom Donna

01-07-2013, 07:27 AM	#8
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	I would try the Blue Buffalo. My dogs love it. Of course I make it tasty by adding a little water and a teaspoon of wet food from Blue Buffalo. I like this company. They have food for all ages of dog. I bet he will like this taste and this kibble. I hope it works and he gains a little weight. I would still get him checked out at the vet.