+++%%%%%%how do you fatten up a dog?^^^^^+++++

[silentcatastrophe]

Our 11 y/o collie is very thin. I took him to the vet today who took some blood. I hope he will be ok. We have a young dog who races around, so it is possible that oldie has been running around much more over the past few months. His food has not changed in the last decade and he has always been lean. I have started giving him a bit of oil in his food. The dogs are regularly Frontlined and wormed. I don't think he has worms. He has no other symptoms and his behaviour is the same as usual. He just looks thin. I'm a bit worried about him.

[fartingfran]

I think, given you're awaiting blood results, that it's important that you discuss his diet with your vet. If there's a concern about his health it may be that dietary management is important to help him, and they will be better placed than us to advise you on what best to give him.

Hope all is OK :)

[midori1999]

The very obvious answerwoul de to increase his food or change brands, but I assume the vet discussed this with you before taking bloods?

I wouldn't personally add oil to his food. It would be better to change to a higher meat/fish cntent brand and/or add some fatty meat such as lamb breast to his diet, but feed it at a seperate time his kibble.

[silentcatastrophe]

The dogs eat Burns. I will call their helpline. As people here have noticed, Burns food keeps dogs on the lean side. I'll ask them if a higher energy food might be appropriate. I am worried about our dear dog.

[LostInTransmogrification]

Poor old lad, I remember a James Herriot story about a working sheepdog that liked to chase cars, but when a new litter of pups grew up and copied him he really struggled to keep up with them.

You can get dog food for active/working dogs which should give him the extra calories he needs. Best to talk this through with your vet though before making gradual changes.

Hope he's ok!

[CalamityKate]

Eggs? Dogs love eggs and some people give them one a day.

Suet is also apparently really good for chubbing them up a bit.

[Scuttlebutter]

We have a recipe that I adapted from one I found on the internet. If you google "Satin balls" you'll come up with several suggestions. I put some porridge oats into a bowl then soak them with a large can of evaporated milk. Leave for at least half an hour, or overnight to absorb. Then add a pack of minced turkey or chicken, an egg or two, a pack of full fat cream cheese, wheatgerm. Mix thoroughly. Occasionally I add a dash of maple syrup or an extra egg or a dash of oil. Makes a nice ball/dollop and I've found it excellent for putting weight on skinny sighthounds.

Our skinniest boy was ill about six weeks ago, after we'd painstakingly put some weight/condition on him, and this has helped a great deal, along with an extra chicken breast each day.

[Batteryhuman]

I'm not sure I would dare google "satin balls"........

[silentcatastrophe]

I'll go to the shop and get some evaporated milk and the other bits and give it a go. The vet phoned today to say that his bloods have come back pretty normal which is good news. He's just a skinny bint.