New Foster dog is emaciated. What should I feed her?

[addevo]

We just got a new foster dog. She was abandoned when her previous owner moved, and a neighbor alerted animal control. She's been severely neglected for a long time, and came in filthy, matted and emaciated. She's been bathed, shaved and spayed and my task is to get some weight on her before she's put up for adoption. She has an undocked tail and an adorable underbite, but has the coloring and overall build of a Yorkie. Right now she weighs 7.1 lbs but you can see every vertebra, rib, and even her hip bones.
She is not at all picky, but seems to prefer canned food. I give my own dogs a combination of "Taste of the Wild" salmon formula kibble (because one of my dogs has a chicken allergy) and Weruva canned food.

I need to bulk her up, but don't want to create a problem in the future by getting her accustomed to a diet that isn't good for her long term, or will turn her into a finicky eater because she gets accustomed to something "special." Will the diet that I'm giving my dogs be sufficient, or should I supplement it until she gets up to a good weight? If so, what should I add?

Photos attached. One of what she looked like when she came in, and a couple of shots after she was cleaned up.

[MauiGirl]

Oh that is so sad. I would think if you are able to free feed any high quality food she will gradually put on weight. Maybe you can offer her extra treats or even a little extra canned food along with the kibble.

It's hard to try to get one to gain while maintaining the weight of the others in house. Good luck, and thank you for caring for her.

[Cherie6446]

Omg!! Did the vet suggest something? When I took Jackson in he was skinny - not like this pathetic little girl - so I fed him like four times per day as much as he wanted. He put weight on in a short while. Karma will get the owner that did that to this baby!

[Maximo]

Oh my, poor baby girl! I'm glad she is in your care. The YT members experienced in rescue can probably make the best recommendations. Is it possible to free feed her with your other dogs around? That would be tough with canned food, but if she will free feed on kibble, that would probably be best.

I would be a little reluctant to supplement with table foods to help her bulk up for fear of giving her GI issues.

[Teegy]

My friends rescue organization in Ohio actually touts the feeding of raw to her rescues as she has found over the years that they recover much quicker but it's something you should decide for yourself

[Lovetodream88]

I would do puppy food. I would not do raw because you do not know about her immune system.

[MauiGirl]

I think that the weight gain will happen gradually all on its own just by providing plenty of good quality food. Rushing it may not be good in the long run, let the girl eat like a normal dog and somewhat in tune with what she would require in the future. She has obviously been starved and it will just take a little time to gain back.

How could anyone do that to a dog?

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

I think that the weight gain will happen gradually all on its own just by providing plenty of good quality food. Rushing it may not be good in the long run, let the girl eat like a normal dog and somewhat in tune with what she would require in the future. She has obviously been starved and it will just take a little time to gain back.

How could anyone do that to a dog?

I agree on all points.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I would do puppy food. I would not do raw because you do not know about her immune system.

Yes, puppy food will add the extra calories that she needs to put on weight. I'd also add a little canned pumpkin to her food. I had a foster several years ago that was emaciated too. He hung out with my oldest some during the day and he had a bag of treats and pretty much just fed him all day long. Plus his regular kibble plus I mixed in canned food with pumpkin. It didn't take very long for him to come around and then we cut back on the added calories.

Here's a link to his journey with pictures of before and after. He passed away several years ago but he went to the bridge with a full tummy and 5 extra pounds

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...cago-il-3.html

[joyce evans]

I'm thinking puppy food too. My rescue from last yr. weighed 12 lbs. after she had her 7 pups and is now a whoping 18 lbs. I would check with your vet of course but puppy food did the trick for my skinny little girl.

[addevo]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I am always so thrilled to see the level of support the YT community provides. Help is always here, and I appreciate it so much.

I'll try adding some pumpkin to her food and maybe mixing in some puppy food for extra calories until she gets up to a healthy weight.

I loved the thread about Truman. His transformation shows what love and caring can do for these neglected little babies. He was one lucky little fellow to get to spend his last days in loving arms.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by addevo

Thanks for all the suggestions - I am always so thrilled to see the level of support the YT community provides. Help is always here, and I appreciate it so much.

I'll try adding some pumpkin to her food and maybe mixing in some puppy food for extra calories until she gets up to a healthy weight.

I loved the thread about Truman. His transformation shows what love and caring can do for these neglected little babies. He was one lucky little fellow to get to spend his last days in loving arms.

Awww thank you! I was looking through his thread and all the picture this afternoon. Hecwas a good boy and we all miss him. If you need any help just PM me. Glad you have this little one and you're willing to do what it takes to make her well

Offer her food 4 or more times per day. That's what we did with Truman

[Lisa and Pic]

Poor little thing and so glad you are taking care of her.

I had the same situation here with our new foster dog, Dixie. I am proud to say she gained 10 ounces in two weeks and we are thrilled. I just fed her many little meals, because she could not stop eating (free feeding) and it was making her stomach upset.

I am sure she is blossoming in front of your very eyes.

[matese]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

I think that the weight gain will happen gradually all on its own just by providing plenty of good quality food. Rushing it may not be good in the long run, let the girl eat like a normal dog and somewhat in tune with what she would require in the future. She has obviously been starved and it will just take a little time to gain back.

How could anyone do that to a dog?

I agree with MauiGirl, when I adopted my lil boy his rib cage was very visible and hip bones protruded, not to the extent of this lil girl, I just fed him recommend amount of food twice a day, he gained weight with in two weeks, again he was not in the condition this lil girl is in. Slow gradual weight gain is best. Makes me just sick to my stomach that anyone can just abandon their dogs this way. Thank you for caring for this sweet lil girl.

[Wylie's Mom]

Poor sweet little precious girl !!! BLESS your heart for taking her in and giving this kiddo some much needed TLC . Thank god someone reported her!

In addition to feeding puppy food, I would be giving calorie dense treats like little pieces of cheese and little chunks of peanut butter off of my finger - both of these are small, calorie dense foods. Might also want to scramble some eggs and give her some egg here or there too - it should be an easy protein for her to digest.

What about giving some chew treats too, to clean up her teeth etc?