To help a dog gain weight safely with human foods, focus on calorie-dense, protein, and fat-rich options like scrambled eggs, cooked chicken/lean meats, unsalted peanut butter, and salmon/sardines, mixed with easy carbs like rice or sweet potato, but always consult your vet first as treats should supplement their main diet and be given in moderation.
Adding a few 'human foods', such as peanut butter or pumpkin, to their kibble or raw food can help them gain weight. But your dog's primary diet should always be their dog food. Otherwise, you risk accidentally creating a nutritional deficiency.
Higher protein and fat pet foods are best. Underweight dogs and cats should be eating foods that are around 30% protein and 20% fat if they're eating dry food, or 7% protein and 5% fat, or higher, if you're feeding a wet food. This can help your pet gain weight and reach their ideal weight.
Choose high-calorie, high-protein dog food.
Use wet food, raw toppers, or puppy formulas when appropriate. Consider trusted brands like Victor, Orijen, Stella & Chewy's, Farmina, and NutriSource. Feed smaller meals more often and enhance with calorie-dense toppers.
Peanut butter is calorie-dense. One tablespoon can contain 90 to 100 calories, which is significant—especially for small or inactive dogs. Offering it too frequently may contribute to weight gain, joint strain, or long-term metabolic issues.
While it's easy to assume your dog's extra pounds are due to overeating, the causes can be more complex. Factors such as age, reduced activity levels, hormonal imbalances, and even certain medications can contribute to weight gain in dogs. Additionally, some breeds are naturally predisposed to gain weight.
There's no single "number one" food, but chocolate, grapes/raisins, and foods containing the artificial sweetener xylitol are among the most dangerous and common toxic items, causing issues from vomiting and seizures to kidney failure or death; other major threats include onions/garlic, alcohol, and fatty/cooked bones that can splinter. Always contact your vet immediately if your dog eats anything suspicious.
How to Fatten Up a Skinny Dog: 7 Safe and Simple Tips
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
If your dog is losing weight due to a health concern, there is a good chance the weight loss is related to one of eight conditions: liver/gallbladder disease, dehydration, dental issues, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis.
Homemade weight gainer treats should include higher-calorie ingredients with a combination of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Examples include beef, pork, high-fat fish and oils, and carbs like rice, oats, or sweet potato. Eggs and peanut butter make excellent binders.
The spine should be palpable but not sharp, with a slight padding of fat. A bony or prominent spine may indicate underweight, while a spine difficult to feel suggests excess fat.
Three to four small meals per day are usually best for an underweight dog, and mean more nutrition can be provided without overloading the gut. Take care not to exercise too close to a mealtime because of the bloat risk.
Yes – as long as you feed the safe types of beef! Cooked beef can be given as meal toppers or treats. However, you cannot feed your dog only cooked beef every day. Dogs need a complete and balanced diet with the correct proportions of nutrients.
Feeding your dog cooked eggs in moderation, along with their regular diet, can provide additional calories and nutrients that may aid in healthy weight gain.
Combine with Proteins: Mixing rice with lean meats such as chicken, turkey, or fish can create a more nutritionally complete meal. This combination provides the necessary protein and fat to support healthy weight gain.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
The seven second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for seven seconds, it is too hot to walk for your dogs. This rule also applies to dogs riding in the bed of a pickup truck.
Sweet potato and pumpkin are fantastic ways to help your dog put on weight in a healthy way. To avoid excessive protein in your dog's diet while helping him gain weight, consider adding sweet potato and pumpkin to his food. Boosting their diet with fat and fiber will help your dog's digestion along with weight gain.
If your dog seems their usual self and is eating regularly and normally but not gaining weight, this will be one of two things. It will either be an underlying condition or issue that's preventing weight gain (like hyperthyroidism or a parasitic infection like Giardia) or you're simply not feeding them enough.
Your dog's vet should be your first resource if your dog is underweight. They can help determine what the exact cause of your pup's weight loss or low body weight is. Ask your vet about specially-formulated dog food and supplements that can provide the nutrients needed to lead a healthy and balanced life.
Heartworm disease is among the top silent killers of dogs and cats, and it's a slow and insidious disease which gradually incapacitates them. By the time pet owners notice the giveaway signs of this disease, serious damage may already have been caused.
There's no single "number 1" healthiest dog food, as the best choice depends on your dog's age, breed, and health; however, look for foods meeting AAFCO standards (Association of American Feed Control Officials), with real meat as the first ingredient, and vet-recommended brands like Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin are often cited for balanced nutrition. Freshly prepared or raw diets can also be healthy but carry risks, so always consult your vet.
The leading cause of death in dogs, especially older dogs, is cancer (neoplasia), affecting about 1 in 4 dogs, similar to humans, with specific breeds at higher risk. Other significant causes include old age, heart disease, digestive disorders (like bloat), infectious diseases (like Parvo), and trauma, with sterilization influencing risks for cancer and infections.