What makes a dog gain weight

7 Medical Causes Behind Weight Gain

Your pet is overweight, and being the conscientious pet owner, you have made the necessary changes to your pets diet and activity levels, but your pet is still overweight. In fact, not only is he still overweight, he seems to be gaining more weight. If diet and exercise are not solving the problem, what else is there?

There are other valid reasons for weight gain besides eating habits and lack of activity. Here are seven of the most likely offenders.

Pregnancy

This is the most obvious cause of weight gain and potbellied appearances. Although it may seem obvious, some pet owners are completely unaware that their cat or dog is pregnant until there is a litter of little ones staring them in the face. If a female dog or cat is not spayed, she can become pregnant, and it does not take long for it to happen. A few unattended minutes in the backyard can lead to an unintended pregnancy.

So don't go putting your dog on a strict diet or exercise regimen just because she's gaining weight for no obvious reason. She may just be expecting.

Fluid Retention

A common side-effect of heart disease is a condition called ascites, the medical term used for excess fluid in the abdomen. The outward symptom is of an enlarged belly that is not coincident with overeating or lack of exercise. Other conditions can also cause the body to react in this way, including tumors or diseases of the internal organs. In very young animals, abnormal amounts of fluid in the abdomen may be the result of abnormal blood flow in the heart due to a congenital defect. Another cause of ascites may be linked to a portosystemic shunt, also referred to as a liver shunt, where the circulatory system bypasses (shunts) the liver.

In cats, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is one of the main causes of abdominal fluid retention.

Prescription Drugs

There are some prescription medications that can also lead to weight gain, especially if they are taken over a long period. If your pet is on any kind of medication and is also having a weight problem that you cannot control through simple food management and moderate exercise, you will need to consult with your veterinarian to see if the medication is related to the weight, and if a different medication or lower dose can prevent further weight gain.

Parasites

Internal parasites, especially the type that lodge in the abdominal walls and intestines (though not limited to those types), will often cause fluid to build up around the area of infestation, causing a potbellied appearance. This is often seen in young animals whose immune systems are not yet strong enough to resist the effects of parasitic infestation, and is more severe when there is a heavy load of internal parasites.

In the course of a standard examination, your veterinarian will take blood, fluid, and stool samples, one or more of which will show the presence of parasites in the body. Once the specific type of parasite is determined, your veterinarian will be able to prescribe the appropriate parasiticide.

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid glands are responsible for the production of thyroid hormones, the chief instigator for how quickly the body uses energy. That is, the speed at which energy is metabolized. Energy is taken into the body in the form of food, and under normal health conditions, the body burns this energy during the course of normal activity. However, under production of thyroid hormones can result in a sluggish metabolism, and too much energy being retained in the body, resulting in a burden of weight. The name for this condition is hypothyroidism, where the prefix hypo- means under. It can be confounding to observe that even while your pet is eating very little, she is continuing to gain weight. This is because even the small amount of food energy she is taking in is being stored rather than released through the metabolic process.

Some of the other symptoms seen with this disorder are fatigue, coarse hair coat, slow heart rate, and itchy, dry skin. Your veterinarian can conduct some straightforward blood tests to determine if your pet has an underlying case of hypothyroidism. If the diagnosis is positive for hypothyroidism, your doctor can prescribe medication to treat it

Cushings Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)

Often seen in older animals, particularly older dogs, Cushings disease is a disorder that arises from long-term overproduction of glucocorticoid hormones, which are an important aspect of protein, carbohydrate, and metabolic regulation. This hormone is related to the adrenal glands (found near the kidneys) and pituitary glands, developing when something in one of these glands is abnormal.

With pituitary Cushings, the condition is most often caused by a tumor in the gland that is causing the gland to produce excess ACTH. This is the most common form of Cushings. With adrenal Cushings, the condition is caused by excess production of cortisol, a steroid hormone. Cushing s disease is commonly symptomized by muscle weakness and wasting, extreme thirst, increased appetite, urinary tract infections, rapid weight gain, and hair loss.

One of the most apparent outward symptoms is a potbelly, which is due to the wasting of muscles in the abdomen and the shifting of fat into the abdominal area. If you suspect that your pet has Cushing's disease, you will need to take your pet to a veterinarian for a full blood, urine, and chemistry profile.

Bloat

Some dogs, either because of their background, current living conditions, health or personal characteristic, will eat their dog food rapidly. This behavior is referred to as wolfing down food by some pet owners, and is often remarked upon as appearing as though the dog is swallowing its food without tasting or chewing it or gulping it down. This is, in fact, pretty much what is happening. As the dog wolfs down its food, it is also swallowing large amounts of air.

What follows is a stomach full of unchewed food and excess air, resulting in a condition called gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV), more commonly referred to as bloat. Besides the obvious distended belly, dogs suffering from bloat will often have symptoms of troubled breathing, rapid heartbeat, pain in the abdomen (on touch), drooling and collapse. This is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. Bloat is most often seen in large, deep-chested breeds of dogs, such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, and Standard Poodles.

How to Make A Dog Gain Weight the Healthy Way

If your dog needs to gain a few pounds, increasing his fat intake or simply feeding him larger portions isn't always the healthiest way to do so. You don't just want your pet to pack on extra fat, because that would be very unhealthy. If you want to knowhow to make a dog gain weight the healthy way, this article will tell you what you need to know.

Simply gaining extra fat isn't healthy, so increasing your pup's carbohydrate and protein intake is also very important. It's crucial that you work with a veterinarian when learning how to make a dog gain weight. You need to ensure that the weight gain is healthy and that your pooch isn't losing weight due to a health problem.

In most cases, underweight dogs are much less common than overweight or obese dogs.However, dogs who are underweight according toWSAVA's body condition score(PDF) or NextGenDog's body condition chart (JPG) are considered unhealthy and in need of help to gain weight. Watch the video above or see my best tips on how to make a dog gain weight healthfully below.

ALSO READ:8 Best Weight Gain Supplements for Dogs

How to Make A Dog Gain Weight

How To Know If Your Dog Is Underweight

The most obvious sign that your dog is underweight is his body size, shape and condition. It is not always easy to spot weight loss in dogs because it often happens gradually, with small changes over time, but using the below body condition score chart can help you decide if you need to learn how to make a dog gain weight:

As indicated in the above chart, check whether your dog has a healthy weight by touching him on his sides. If your dog is of healthy weight, you will feel his ribs along with a thin layer of fat over them. Underweight dogs dont have any padding between their ribs and skin.

Another test is to stand above your dog and look down. If you see a noticeable hourglass figure instead of a definite waist indentation, your dog is probably underweight. Take your dog to the vet to be sure and for a dietary adjustment.

How to Make a Dog Gain Weight

Once you've seen your veterinarian and have ruled out any health problems, you can begin working on how to make a dog gain weight. Your vet will likely recommend dietary changes, like adding more calories to your pet's diet.

You can just increase his meal portions to add calories or include extra treats or meal toppers. In a previous article, I shared a recipe for Satin Balls, which are commonly recommended by veterinarians as a great addition to a dog's diet for weight gain.

You may also need to try a different brand or type of dog food. Some lower quality kibbles do not provide adequate nutrients, and some foods are formulated for specific types of dogs. If you're feeding the wrong food, your veterinarian can help you find a food that will meet his needs.

If you're looking for a food to feed to help Fido gain a few pounds, check out these Top Dog Tips articles:

Your dog may need to gain weight because he hasn't been eating. This could be because he's recovering from surgery or an injury. Maybe he's getting over an illness. No matter the cause, if your dog has lost his appetite, there are a few things you can do to help.

As long as your dog has been cleared of any health concerns by your vet, you can try to make his food more appealing. Try mixing dry kibble with canned dog food or adding a little water to make the kibble more appealing. You could also add a low-sodium broth to the food to entice your pup to eat.

Monitor your dog's weight closely when learning how to make a dog gain weight. It's important to keep track of his weight on a daily basis and record the results in a journal. This will help you to track whether or not your efforts are working. It will also be easier to report your dog's progress to your vet if it's all written down in a journal.

One more thing to mention is proper exercise. Many owners cut back on exercise when trying to get their pup to gain weight. While exercise does burn calories, it also helps add muscle and increase your dog's appetite. For those reasons, keeping up with adequate exercise is an important part of a weight gain regiment.

READ NEXT: Top 5 Best Dog Foods for Pitbulls To Gain Weight

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How to Get a Dog to Gain Weight in 6 Safe and Easy Steps

While obesity is a common problem for many dog breeds, insufficient weight can significantly affect many dogs. When a dog is underweight, it could be a sign of a more serious, underlying condition. Insufficient weight can also cause more serious conditions and greatly affect a dog's quality of life. Have you wondered how to get a dog to gain weight, especially if they look smaller for their size?

In this article, we'll cover some of the reasons why dogs may become underweight and we'll mention tips and tricks for how to get a dog to gain weight. Follow along with us to learn more about how insufficient weight can affect your dog and how to remedy the issue.

Why Do Dogs Become Underweight?

There are numerous reasons why dogs might lose an excessive amount of weight, including parasites and health conditions. Excessive stress, past trauma, old age, dietary restrictions, and dietary preferences can all play a role in a dog being underweight, as well.

Stress

Dogs experience stress in a very similar way to humans - they can even have nervous breakdowns if the stress goes on for too long. Stress often causes dogs to lose their appetite, leading to gradual weight loss that will eventually become evident around their abdomen.

Picky Eaters

Dogs can also be picky eaters, just like humans. Some dogs hate dry dog food, while others won't go near wet food. Some dogs are so picky that they'll only eat dog-safe human foods like beef, chicken, and certain vegetables. Dogs can also get sick of their regular food and refuse to eat it.

Try Different Foods

If your dog is picky, you're probably going to need to experiment a little bit. Dogs are very sensitive to smells and flavors, and if there's a hint of something in their food they don't like, they definitely won't eat it. Try buying small packages of many different foods and letting your dog sample.

Age

As dogs get older, they may experience tooth decay and other mouth diseases that make chewing difficult or even painful. If eating becomes a painful activity, a dog is likely to stop eating altogether. This can also increase their stress level, which will further prevent them from wanting to eat.

Sickness

Various health conditions can lead to a dog losing their appetite or prevent their bodies from absorbing the nutritional value of their food. Diabetes and thyroid disease can both prevent a dog from gaining weight. Parasites like intestinal worms can also prevent your dog from putting on pounds.

They Were Once Stray Or Subject to Cruelty

Sadly, many dogs who were adopted from shelters have mysterious and traumatic pasts. A dog who was once stray may not be used to eating on a regular schedule (or at all), which can cause them not to eat. Dogs who experienced trauma around mealtimes may also associate eating with pain or fear.

Past trauma can linger for a very long time and cause a huge build-up of stress. As we know, increased stress can lead to a dog being underweight on its own. When past trauma comes into the picture, a dog may be so stressed out that they can't eat at all.

Why Would You Want a Dog to Gain Weight?

An underweight dog is highly prone to developing numerous health conditions, namely diabetes. Lack of proper nutrition can lead to a decrease in blood sugar and low glucose levels, which weakens major organ functions. Getting an underweight dog to gain weight is essential for their overall health.

How to Get a Dog to Gain Weight

If your dog needs to gain weight, there are several safe and healthy ways to help them reach their goal. It's crucial that you don't just begin leaving large amounts of food out or feeding them excessive treats. Rapid weight gain and excess food are also unhealthy for dogs. Let's go over some healthy weight-gain tips for dogs.

Identify Why They're Underweight

Identifying the root of an issue is step number one in every problem-solving situation. If you don't know why your dog is underweight, you won't be able to help your dog gain weight in a healthy and effective way. It's recommended that you consult with your veterinarian about your dog's weight issue.

Help Reduce Their Stress

Reducing stress can dramatically improve a dog's overall quality of life in addition to helping them gain weight. Many dogs are prone to separation anxiety, stranger anxiety, and anxiety about other dogs. It's important to do your best to make life as comfortable and easy for your pup as possible.

However, it isn't always simple to eliminate your dog's stressors. Many people have to go to work every day, and you can't stop other dogs from walking by your house. If you and your dog are in need of some help reducing their stress, we highly recommend trying our CBD products for dogs.

CBD is a non-intoxicating plant compound with many therapeutic properties. To combat dog stress, we created our CBD Dog Treats + Stress & Anxiety Relief. They're packed with peanut butter and green apples to entice dogs' palates, then the CBD and other ingredients work to relieve dogs' stress.

CBD is naturally soothing and, through interacting with a dog's endocannabinoid system (ECS), promotes mental calmness and peace. Many of our customers give one of these treats to their dogs in the morning before leaving for work or before taking the dog on a trip to help them remain relaxed.

If your dog is too picky for the treat's flavor, we also offer CBD for dogs in tincture form that can be mixed into their food of preference. It's the same as the CBD oil we use in the treats, which is 100% organic, natural, gluten-free, and non-GMO. If you need help de-stressing your dog, CBD is a super effective tool.

Related: Organic Dog Food vs Non-Organic [In Depth Comparison]

Take it Slow

As we mentioned, you'll want to do your best to prevent your dog from gaining weight too quickly. You'll also want to be cautious of pressuring them into eating when they aren't up for it. Try giving them new foods one at a time, on different days, and monitor your dog's reaction to them as you go.

Simply buying a different brand isn't always the best option for every dog. If you feed them dry food, try adding water to it one day. Do your best to remain supportive and encouraging of your dog as they try new foods and not to get angry with them if they're resisting the process. It may be a long journey.

Choose Foods with Higher Calories

Rather than simply feeding your dog more food, try to look for foods with higher healthy calorie counts. Look for ingredients like healthy proteins and fats, but avoid unhealthy fats. Some healthy proteins for dogs are chicken, turkey, and peanut butter (the latter of which also contains healthy fat).

When searching for food with healthy fats, look for ingredients that are rich in omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are also amazing for a dog's overall health, namely their heart health. Eggs, hemp seeds, and quinoa are all good sources of omega fatty acids.

Safe Human Foods

Dog-safe human foods are a great way to help change up your dog's normal eating routine and introduce additional nutritional value into their diet. In addition to the foods in the last section, some healthy human foods to help your dog gain weight are:

• Eggs - Eggs are an awesome source of protein that most dogs love to gobble up. Try adding some scrambled eggs into their food to see if it entices them into eating, or serve it on its own.
• Salmon and Tuna - Both kinds of fish are excellent sources of healthy fat and protein. However, they should both be served completely cooked and unseasoned for the safety of your dog.
• Pumpkin - Pumpkin provides a healthy source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber for dogs. It also adds a fun new flavor to their diet! We use pumpkin in another kind of CBD dog treat we offer, Pumpkin Spice & Cinnamon + Joint and Mobility Support. Dogs LOVE them!
• Sweet Potatoes - Like pumpkins, sweet potatoes offer high nutritional value to a dog's diet. They should always be served cooked (boiled or baked), completely unseasoned, and in moderation. You'll find sweet potato in our last variety of CBD dog treats, Blueberry & Sweet Potato + Heart and Immune Care.

Increase Activity

As your dog begins eating more, they'll need to increase their activity to match their caloric intake. Don't push them too hard at first - if they're underweight, they're likely to be somewhat weak and fatigued. Start by going for longer than usual walks and increasing playtime activities like fetch.

When Should I Go to the Vet?

If you believe your dog is underweight, we recommend heading to the vet as soon as possible so that they can diagnose the issue. Remember, identifying the root of the issue is step number one. Your vet will be able to discern why your dog is underweight and over more tips for weight gain.

Final Thoughts - How to Get a Dog to Gain Weight

We all love our dogs so much, and when they're suffering, we want to do everything we can to help. While being underweight may not seem like a huge deal, it definitely can be when left untreated. Want to learn more? You can visit these helpful dog guides.