Underweight Boxer

[amy87]

Hey All

I will just give you some quick back ground information re me acquiring my second Boxer. I bought Baxter, my 4month old boxer from a young guy who has a male and female boxer, as well as a female ridgeback, none of which are desexed. Both females came into season on the same day, and gave birth the the pups on the same day (Im still learning the dog breeding/pregnancy/birth words so please be kind!!). There were 10 Ridgeback x Boxer pups and 8 Boxer pups . I wasn't planning on getting another boxer, especially not one that was from a b.y.b, but when I had attended a local bulk pet/stock food shop the pups were out the front in a cage and were seriously under weight and in bad condition ie, coats were is shocking condition, and dosile. I spoke with the guy who runs the barn who said that the guy selling them wanted to get rid of them, due to having the 18 pups. I got the guys contact details, and went around to his house. He had been feeding the pups the cheapy meat in gravy, from 3 wks on, and it was out of 3 bowls for 18 pups and 3 dogs.. He had baxter left an another boxer pup which was going to his YOUNGER cousin, and all the other pups had gone to family members... So among other problems, ie behaviourable, he was/still is underweight.

I have managed to sort out the behaviour, its just the extra weight!!!

Now... After that massive story, I brought Baxter home from the guy and he was 10wks old, and 4kgs due to the lack of nutritious food fed to him . I feed my dogs Eukanuba (*spelling*, and Im too tired to go to the cupboard to check ..lol...), so by 12 wks he was 6.1kgs when he went in for his needles, and the vet was happy-ish with his progress, and I was advised to bump up the feeds, so when he went back for his 16wks needle he was 9.8kgs. The vet was really happy with this, as he has grown immensely, but still needs to put on a bit extra to be up to be at normal weight. So my question is, what else can I feed him to put on muscle weight, not just fat? I'm kinda stumped!?!

Just a note - I have NO intention to breed either my boxers, and especially not together. Baxter will be in for the snip on the 14th November (our vet will not do it any earlier). And, Roxy my big baby Boxer is from reputable registered breeder and, obviously she has papers. I'll leave the breeding to the experts :wink:

Any advice/recipes would be extremely appreciated, I have searched this forum already and found some good recipes, I am after maybe some extra recipes that are calcium enriched, protein packed, especially/ones that would benefit boxers.

Thank you everyone in advance.

Edited September 20, 2007 by amy87

[Poodle wrangler]

Can you add in an extra meal? e.g. 3 meals a day?

Avoid fatty foods for calories because of the risk of pancreatitis (potentially fatal).

Have a look here: e.g. satin balls recipe http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=81686

You're better getting the weight on gradually which it sounds like you're doing