Skinny puppy - YorkieTalk.com Forums

kirbybirby · 10-09-2013, 05:15 PM

Hi, I'm new here and thought I'd join since I have a little Yorkie..

She is a 9 month old (almost 10 month) yorkie. She weighs JUST under 5 pounds. Shes slowly gaining weight, not losing any, but she feels very skinny. I can feel her spine with no problem. I'm not sure if it's just because she's small or what but I'm a little worried. When she was younger she did get her stool checked just to make sure and everything checked out okay. I feed her Blue puppy small breed. She eats very normally and is a VERY active puppy. She sleeps throughout the day but she really is active. I just don't know if I should be worried or not. I can definitely take her to the vet if needed.

I also forgot to add that her body type is long with tall legs. so that's why I was thinking it may just be in her nature to be skinny.

Bellabean · 10-09-2013, 06:11 PM

Welcome. I don't really know enough to give advice. My Bella is 9 months and weighs 6.5 lbs. she's very compact. Sounds like your puppy is going yo be small, but I'm sure mire experienced owners will have more knowledgeable info for you. I would love to see pics!

Maximo · 10-09-2013, 06:57 PM

If she appears to be well, I think you are okay waiting until her one-year vaccinations are due to talk to the vet. The doctor will evaluate her body during the routine physical exam. Be sure to ask if she/he thinks your pup's weight is appropriate.

My younger boy Teddy was a skinny pup. His bones almost protruded under his skin. Most Yorkies will develop more fully in their second year, and Teddy did as he aged. He is still finely built compared to my other boy.

You should be able to feel the rib cage without pressing too hard, and you should see a waistline when looking down onto her back. That is normal. If you can visibly see her ribs and spine sticking out, then she probably needs to gain a little weight.

ShowGirlLola · 10-09-2013, 07:08 PM

Your dog sounds like mine. Lola is 7 months, 4.9lbs, long body, average legs.
If I run my finger down her back I can feel the bumps from her spine and I can easily feel her ribs. The vet said she's fine.

I feed her about 2.5oz of wet food a day, free feed dry food, and give her treats.

kirbybirby · 10-09-2013, 08:01 PM

Thanks for the responses... I'm not too worried about it I just didn't know if it was a serious problem.

Here's some pictures of her. Her name is Marshmallow. We call her Miss M or M

ShowGirlLola · 10-09-2013, 08:24 PM

Aww she's cute.

Her body looks like my minature poodle's did. She was always very long and very thin, like a grey hound.

Bellabean · 10-09-2013, 08:34 PM

She is adorable and I love her name!

Haleigh4512 · 10-09-2013, 08:39 PM

My pup is 10 months and just under 5 lbs. he has checked out healthy as a horse...or yorkie. Lol always food in his dish and he eats when he wants. I can feel his spine too. Ive noticed it in alot of yorkies i have seen tho. I feed him royal canine....and sometimes cesar as a treat.

Maximo · 10-09-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirbybirby

Thanks for the responses... I'm not too worried about it I just didn't know if it was a serious problem.

Here's some pictures of her. Her name is Marshmallow. We call her Miss M or M

Miss M is adorable. I think it is just her build, very fine with long legs. She will continue to develop in her second and third year.

gracielove · 10-10-2013, 05:34 AM

You could add a little extra to her diet if you feel she is too thin. She is still growing, maybe not so much in how high or long she is but she is developing muscle and bone still.

My girl was also very thin when she was growing. She was well over a year old before she attained her full 5lbs and can still go under that at times.

The amount on the food label is a guideline. You can add or subtract from the amount being fed according to your dog's activity level and how they are developing.

Marhcarter · 10-11-2013, 01:41 AM

She is adorable! Welcome!

Carmeow · 10-11-2013, 01:52 AM

I know how you feel! My 9 month old is 2.8 lbs....she has the same body type as her big sister, Luma. Long and thin. Just in a much smaller package. I worry about her size all the time. I mentioned to her vet that I felt she was underweight and she prescribed me this nutrient dense wet food to supplement her dry Wellness small breed puppy food. She still eats wet and dry food mixed but has barely gained weight. She is built to be little. She has filled out more, so that makes me feel better. You could try asking your vet about the supplement. I think it was by Royal Canin.

10-09-2013, 05:15 PM	#1
kirbybirby Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: N/A Posts: 35	Skinny puppy Hi, I'm new here and thought I'd join since I have a little Yorkie.. She is a 9 month old (almost 10 month) yorkie. She weighs JUST under 5 pounds. Shes slowly gaining weight, not losing any, but she feels very skinny. I can feel her spine with no problem. I'm not sure if it's just because she's small or what but I'm a little worried. When she was younger she did get her stool checked just to make sure and everything checked out okay. I feed her Blue puppy small breed. She eats very normally and is a VERY active puppy. She sleeps throughout the day but she really is active. I just don't know if I should be worried or not. I can definitely take her to the vet if needed. I also forgot to add that her body type is long with tall legs. so that's why I was thinking it may just be in her nature to be skinny.

10-09-2013, 06:11 PM	#2
Bellabean YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: North Ridgeville, Oh. US Posts: 1,396	Welcome. I don't really know enough to give advice. My Bella is 9 months and weighs 6.5 lbs. she's very compact. Sounds like your puppy is going yo be small, but I'm sure mire experienced owners will have more knowledgeable info for you. I would love to see pics! __________________ Kathy & Bella

10-09-2013, 06:57 PM	#3
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,044	If she appears to be well, I think you are okay waiting until her one-year vaccinations are due to talk to the vet. The doctor will evaluate her body during the routine physical exam. Be sure to ask if she/he thinks your pup's weight is appropriate. My younger boy Teddy was a skinny pup. His bones almost protruded under his skin. Most Yorkies will develop more fully in their second year, and Teddy did as he aged. He is still finely built compared to my other boy. You should be able to feel the rib cage without pressing too hard, and you should see a waistline when looking down onto her back. That is normal. If you can visibly see her ribs and spine sticking out, then she probably needs to gain a little weight. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

10-09-2013, 08:34 PM	#7
Bellabean YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: North Ridgeville, Oh. US Posts: 1,396	She is adorable and I love her name! __________________ Kathy & Bella

10-11-2013, 01:41 AM	#11
Marhcarter ♡Huey's Human♡ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ringgold, Ga Posts: 3,333	She is adorable! Welcome! __________________ Huey's mom, Marilyn :When a day starts & ends with puppy kisses, I can handle anything that comes in between!

10-09-2013, 07:08 PM	#4
ShowGirlLola YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 1,354	Your dog sounds like mine. Lola is 7 months, 4.9lbs, long body, average legs. If I run my finger down her back I can feel the bumps from her spine and I can easily feel her ribs. The vet said she's fine. I feed her about 2.5oz of wet food a day, free feed dry food, and give her treats.

10-09-2013, 08:24 PM	#6
ShowGirlLola YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 1,354	Aww she's cute. Her body looks like my minature poodle's did. She was always very long and very thin, like a grey hound.

10-09-2013, 08:39 PM	#8
Haleigh4512 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 39	My pup is 10 months and just under 5 lbs. he has checked out healthy as a horse...or yorkie. Lol always food in his dish and he eats when he wants. I can feel his spine too. Ive noticed it in alot of yorkies i have seen tho. I feed him royal canine....and sometimes cesar as a treat.

10-10-2013, 05:34 AM	#10
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	You could add a little extra to her diet if you feel she is too thin. She is still growing, maybe not so much in how high or long she is but she is developing muscle and bone still. My girl was also very thin when she was growing. She was well over a year old before she attained her full 5lbs and can still go under that at times. The amount on the food label is a guideline. You can add or subtract from the amount being fed according to your dog's activity level and how they are developing.

10-11-2013, 01:52 AM	#12
Carmeow I♥ my girls Luma+Rosie Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Aggieland, TX Posts: 3,359	I know how you feel! My 9 month old is 2.8 lbs....she has the same body type as her big sister, Luma. Long and thin. Just in a much smaller package. I worry about her size all the time. I mentioned to her vet that I felt she was underweight and she prescribed me this nutrient dense wet food to supplement her dry Wellness small breed puppy food. She still eats wet and dry food mixed but has barely gained weight. She is built to be little. She has filled out more, so that makes me feel better. You could try asking your vet about the supplement. I think it was by Royal Canin. __________________ Carmen, mama to Luma & my little angel in Heaven, Rosie.