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Why Does My German Shepherd Look Skinny

How Can I Keep My German Shepherd Healthy

Is your German Shepherd Skinny? This is the Reason WHY…

If your German Shepherd Is healthy weight gain will not be a big problem.

You have to make sure when you change his diet or increase his feeding. You have to feed him the right amount of nutrients:

There are 2 types of Nutrients:

ESSENTIAL

Water is essential for life. Water is one of the main ingredients in the world.

Which are Functions Of Water In the Body?

  • Carries the nutrients
  • Flushes Out Bad Stuff
  • regulates body temperature

Like us, Humans 70 % of German Shepherd Dog Body is Formed of water. This does not mean you have to Force him to drink a lot of water. Just make sure you give him enough water.

Take your German shepherds bowel clean in which he will drink the water to avoid infections.

Why Your German Shepherd Is Skinny

It is likely that each of the different reasons will come with some clues.

Below, I will show you why it might be skinny and what would make each of the reasons more likely.

Genes

The reason why your German Shepherd is skinny could be that it is in its genes. This would be more likely if it was relatively skinny as a puppy and if you have been feeding it the right amount according to a vet.

In this case, it would not be something to worry about unless it has been showing signs of the cause being due to one of the things mentioned below.

Diet

The cause of it being skinny could be that it has not been getting the right diet.

It could be that it is eating the right foods but it is not getting enough calories for its activity levels. German Shepherds require 1273 to 1540 calories per day but active ones require 1740 to 2100 .

On the other hand, it could be the case that it has been eating the wrong foods. You can look here to see what you should and should not be feeding your German Shepherd.

If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. You can get a GSD specific dog food on Amazon here and one for GSD puppies on Chewy here.;

Exercise

It could be the case that it is getting too much exercise. However, this is unlikely since German Shepherds were bred to be working dogs and it was not unusual for them to spend entire days working alongside their owners.

Illness

Anxiety

Score Of 7 To 9: Your Dog Is Chubby

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  • You have to do a little of hunting to locate and get a feel of your dogs ribs. If youre not able to find the ribs at all, your dog is probably at level nine on the scale.
  • Youre unable to find the tail bones when feeling the mound where the tail;attaches to;the end of the body.
  • Its difficult to find and feel;the shoulder bones, hip bones, and spine.
  • When looking at your dog;from overhead, you see no waistline between the ribs and hips. You only find a straight line or, worse, a round bubble.
  • When looking at your dog from the side, you find very little rise in the abdomen from ribs to hips, or instead you find a straight line or sagging belly.

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Can Dog Treats Exercise And Other Factors Affect My German Shepherd

Dog treats dont necessarily make your dog skinnier. They could play a role in helping them gain weight, however.

Exercise means that your German Shepherd is burning more calories, but that doesnt mean that your dog should neglect such activities just because theyre skinny.

For a lot of owners, their German Shepherds are more than just companions. They might be show dogs or work on a farm.

If your German Shepherd happens to be one of those kinds of canines, then youll be going off of a completely different set of guidelines for how much your companion should weigh.

Exercise Burns Off Fat

Skinny German Shepherd

The GSP is one of the most high-energy dogs in existence.

These dogs are happiest when they are in motion, preferably running outside at full speed.

They are delighted to run through the snow or swim for hours in a body of water.;

If there is something for your;German Shorthaired Pointer to be doing actively, you can bet that hell be doing it.

Such an active lifestyle is very effective for burning off fat and calories.;

The average GSP is intense enough that it is almost impossible to keep any kind of extra weight on the lean muscled body.

This is how the dog is supposed to be and should not cause any kind of concern.;

Working Dogs Exercise Even Harder

Working dogs who are actively hunting in the field for at least several days a week are likely to burn off even a very rich diet.

For every step that a hunter takes, the pointer does many laps, so every hunt results in substantial exercise for the dog.

When you take into consideration that hunts are often conducted over lots of obstacles and water, youll realize that your GSP is getting an extreme workout.

Expect your working GSP to appear lean muscled and skinny, especially during the hunting season.

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Why Is My German Shepherd So Skinny

Ever notice how your German Shepherd seems to be so skinny? Its not just you; it is a common problem among many German Shepherd owners. Skinny German Shepherds are often the result of genetic or dietary factors, but there are also other reasons that could lead to an unhealthy weight for your dog. Here at TrainYourGSD, I want to give you all the information you need to take care of your skinny German Shepherd and help them maintain a healthy weight.

Whats causing this issue with my dog being so skinny? Is it something Im doing wrong? Well get into what might be going on below!

Score Of 4 To 6: Your Dog Is Just Right

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  • When feeling your dogs ribs, you find a slight layer of fat;covering the bones, but you can feel each rib distinctly.
  • You feel a small amount;of smooth fat over the mound of the tail where it attaches at the end of the body.
  • You can find and feel the shoulder bones, hip bones, and spine, but they wear a thin cushion of fat.
  • When looking at your dog from overhead, you see a slight, gentle curve between the ribs and hips.
  • When looking at your dog from the side, you find a gradual rise in the abdomen from ribs to hips.

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What Are The Health Consequences

If you dont do anything to help your husky gain weight then there may be severe health consequences for them. While this is unlikely to happen if theyre only a little underweight, or they havent been underweight for long, if its more severe, there may be trouble.

Here are some of the problems that can occur in underweight huskies.

  • They can suffer from muscle loss and problems with their bone density.
  • Theyll be more likely to suffer from hormonal imbalances and even infertility.
  • Theyre skin and coat may begin to suffer and youll notice them beginning to look a lot more dull and lifeless.
  • Your huskies immune system will begin to weaken and theyll be a lot more likely to suffer with illness and infections, as well as wounds taking longer to heal.
  • And in severe cases, their life expectancy can shorten dramatically.

Train German Shepherd To Not Be Picky Eater

My German Shepherd Puppy

The most important part of training your dog not to be a picky eater is to be patient. Your dog is just adjusting to his new diet. They have to learn that there will be a period where they will not be allowed to have certain foods.

Sometimes, you may have to feed them the same foods repeatedly until they realize what you are asking of them. As long as you keep your expectations realistic, it should be easier for you to train a German Shepherd not to be a picky eater.

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What Do German Shepherds Ear Positions Mean

Ears Forward Forward tilted ears are a sign that your GSD is alert and listening. Ears tilted in this way are also indicative that your dog is feeling confident. When your GSD is feeling confident, you will notice it much as you would in a person there is a certain indescribable demeanor that is just apparent.

Treats To Help Your Gsp Gain Weight

If youre worried that your GSP is skinnier than he should be and if youd like to develop stronger muscles in your dog, treats can help.

Its often recommended to offer additional treats rather than feeding your dog more at mealtimes, as it may be better to get concentrated protein to help build muscles than to get more dog food.;

Here are some treats that can help your GSP to gain weight in a healthy way.

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How To Get My German Shepherd To Gain Weight

The first step in getting your German shepherd to gain weight is to go to the vet for a check-up to see if there is an underlying illness causing weight loss. Feeding more often and using high-protein and fat foods helps German shepherds gain weight. Change their diet gradually so as not to give the dog diarrhea or an upset stomach.

Ways To Help A Skinny German Shepherd Gain Weight

Skinny German Shepherd

The following tips and tricks have served me well in beating fussy eating and adding calories to my pooches meals.

Important note: If you suspect your GSD is losing weight for an alternative reason like stress or dental issues, the best solution would be to address those issues instead of adjusting their diet. Always consider the cause first.

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How Do I Know If My German Shepherd Is Too Skinny

Before the dog owners ask why is my German Shepherd so skinny, they will ask about how do they know if their German Shepherd is skinny or not. There are several ways to determine if your German Shepherd is skinny or not.

First, you can look over your dogs body. You can be sure your dog is skinny if the body is shaped like an hourglass rather than a triangular shape. Another way is to feel the ribs. You can find out if you can feel their bones just by holding the ribs.

Bone And Joint Problems

A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in German Shepherd Dogs. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. With diligent observation at home and knowledge about the diseases that may affect your friends bones, joints, or muscles you will be able to take great care of him throughout his life.

Intervertebral disc disease. Note how the cushion of the disc materal has extruded and puts pressure on the spinal nerves.

Intervertebral disc disease is a common condition in Shepherds. The disease is caused when the jelly-like cushion between one or more vertebrae slips or ruptures, causing the disc to press on the spinal cord. If your dog is suddenly unable or unwilling to jump up, go up stairs, is reluctant to move around, has a hunched back, cries out, or refuses to eat or go potty, he is likely in severe pain. He may even drag his back feet or be suddenly paralyzed and unable to get up or use his back legs. If you see symptoms, dont wait. Call us or an emergency clinic immediately! For less severe cases, rest and medication may resolve the problem. In many cases involving paralysis, well recommend surgical removal of the ruptured discs . As with so many other diseases, weight control helps to prevent this problem. You should also use ramps or steps from puppyhood on so that your dog doesnt spend a lifetime stressing his back by jumping on and off of the furniture.

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Offer Treats Along With Their Regular Meals

Although dog treats do not contain complete nutrients, they do contain extra calories that can help your dog gain weight. Therefore, it is okay to let your dog have a few extra treats spaced throughout the day. Just make sure you do not give your dog too many, or they will not eat their regular meals.

Partners In Health Care

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DNA testing is a rapidly advancing field with new tests constantly emerging to help in the diagnosis of inherited diseases before they can become a problem for your friend. For the most up-to-date information on DNA and other screening tests available for your pal, visit www.Genesis4Pets.com.

Your Shepherd counts on you to take good care of her, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that she lives a long and healthy life. Our goal is to provide the best health care possible: health care thats based on her breed, lifestyle, and age. Please contact us when you have questions or concerns.

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Use A German Shepherd Weight Gain Chart

A German Shepherds appropriate weight depends on their age and sex. So its crucial to find a chart, like Animalso, to use to set goals. Youll notice that German Shepherds do get heavier as they get older, and males are usually heavier than females.

Theres no one specific weight but, rather, a weight range. The main factor you have to pay attention to is the percentage of adult weight your companion has depending on their age. In addition to sex and age are other factors, like the type of German Shepherd you have.

Offer An Extra Meal To Their Normal Routine

Begin by feeding your dog a bitmore of their current food spread out over one more meal per day. Add a quarterto half a cup of extra food per meal.

You can also take their regularfeeding and the additional food and increase their feeding schedule to fourtimes per day, splitting the food equally at each feeding.

This routine allows your dog to space out their food more evenly, so they dont fill up too quickly and then ignore their later meals. Its also gentler on their stomachs and makes digestion easier since theres less food sitting in their belly at one time. ;

If you want to make a German Shepherd gain weight the right way, youre going to have to plan for multiple feedings and watch how much you feed them so they dont get fat, but build muscle.

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Increase Their Food Intake

You can also try adding an extra meal if you find your dog is not eating enough. As long as your dog finishes the food you give them, you dont have to worry about giving them too much.

If you are worried about your dog gaining too much weight, keep track of their weekly weight gain with simple note-taking or a Google sheet.

How To Tell If Your German Shepherd Is Too Skinny

Does my Shepherd look full bred ?

Before needing to determine the cause of their apparent skinniness, its important first to confirm that they are, in fact, underweight. Typically, its pretty easy to see if your dog is malnourished or too skinny visually. Typically, the most direct indication is by seeing their ribs sharply outlined on their body. There should be a small amount of fat for a dog at a healthy weight that softens the ribcage area. For an underweight dog, their ribs will be much more noticeable.

While its typical for their waist to slim out, the rest of their body should be strong and thick. The outline of their body should take on an hourglass shape. However, if they look to be more in a triangle shape with the most significant part of their body at the front, your German Shepherd may be too skinny. In severe cases of being underweight, your dog may also experience other side effects that can severely affect their overall health and well-being.

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How To Get A German Shepherd To Gain Weight The Right Way

German shepherds usually have the problem of gaining too much weight. Its unusual for a German shepherd to need to gain weight.

According to the American Kennel Club,;German shepherds normally weigh about 65 to 90 pounds in males and 50 to 70 pounds in females.

A dog that is too skinny is usually unwell and needs a vet check-up.

Has Your Puppy Experienced A Change In Its Environment

A change in the environment is a common cause of a longer-term loss of appetite and weight loss in puppies.

A change in environment for your puppy does not just mean that it has moved from one physical location to another. The following circumstances should also be considered a change in environment for your puppy:

  • Changes to your schedule when you leave and when you arrive
  • Changes in your puppys walking schedule
  • Changes in your puppys feeding schedule
  • Someone new moving into your home
  • Someone moving out of your home
  • A new animal brought into your home
  • Regular arguments within your home
  • The arrival of a new baby
  • Being cared for by a sitter or taken to a doggy daycare

It is important that your GSD puppys day to day life is structured and consistent. They learn and function well with routine.

When something occurs which disrupts a puppys routine long-term, they may begin to feel anxious and stressed. This can sometimes result in a long term lack of appetite and weight loss.

You may likely find that if one or more of the above changes are addressed, that your puppy will resume a normal eating schedule and quickly bounce back from being underweight.

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