tikka tom Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 my 2year old springer spaniel has been doging in day in day out most of these year and now its come to the shooting season shes gone really thin on the back end. Im feeding her more than she normal gets but shes not puting much on. how can i build her up would feeding her pasta or rice with her food help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 barf , tripe, beef, chicken. is she kenneled outside, my old dog used to lose weight in winter until i insolated the kennels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikka tom Posted November 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 yeah shes kenneled outside but its well insolated and her beds rasied off the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 Cold will drop the weight, as will a lot of work. The quality of what you put in will have a big impact, I have tried many dried foods and can't see past Arden Grange (Berriewood wholesale online). You could find yourself doubling rations to get weight on, if that is the case I would add fat also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Protein is where its at rice and pasta would be no use, chicken or get a higher protein food. Its pretty usual to drop weight through the season mine seems to drop visibly each day out, in a way you have a sleeker working machine and being on the lighter side is better for them than carrying excess so unless the dog is really thin then I wouldn't worry too much. Some you just can't get enough food in to get them to put weight on if they are working that hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siberian Tiger Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Personally, I have found that tripe works really well when trying to keep a working dog at a steady weight or for putting weight on. It's quite cheap too, about £9 for 20x450g bags. The smell turns your stomach though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 (edited) try feeding her a cpl of times a day. my food bill for the dog doubles in the winter. I have four dogs in one kennel that helps keeps them warm, two labs a springer and an old whippet but I still worry there are not warm enough after a days work. I do also have a tube heater on a frost stat. A dog in a kennel uses a lot of food just keeping warm in the winter Edited November 28, 2012 by Actionpigeons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Pelt Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 The answer is in the fat ; try butcher's beef suet, chop it, freeze it for a few weeks to kill the bugs and then feed it. It used to work like magic to add weight to a coursing long dog, or skinny racer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETO Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 Tripe, Duck, Turkey. Louie dropped a load of weight a couple of months ago and I fed him up on those 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 my mates spaniel is just the same...one of my male labs is like that, he has an almost spaniel tempermant, i tried everything of the above, but found the most effective way to increase body weight was to feed him 3 times/day, normally i do 2..early in the morning and then at 6 at night..so we now feed him at 12 as well and after a week he started to lose rib and his hips filled in...try it ! if that dosnt work you have lots of advice on the other posts........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 yeah shes kenneled outside but its well insolated and her beds rasied off the ground. also try putting in a 60watt infa red lamp and either put it on a stat or just off an on it when the dog needs it.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted November 28, 2012 Report Share Posted November 28, 2012 When you say you feed her more how much more? My lab dog gets nearly double portions the day before and on the day he's working. I've also increased his food by 50% every other day since he's kenneled out and the cold takes it toll. He's not hard worked, but trains/exercises everyday in total for an hour everyday. I find that he loses weight quicker than he puts in on at this time of year so I think it's better to give him larger portions regularly and then cut back occasionally than try to feed the right amount. On a regular day at this time of year he gets 2 1/2 - 3 heinz bean tin full of Wagg worker divided into two servings on a working day he'll get 4 tins divided into 2 servings. During warmer months he gets 2 tins. ATB, Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 yes ive used wagg gundog, think its 23% protien....i dont overfeed the dogs when doing 3 times/day, i give the dog what it normally says , i sort of judge it as to what the size of the stomach is, as i soak the for in hot water before feeding, not boiling water as this can destroy some of the goodness in the food, the thing is not to overload the dogs stomach by feeding it more on its usual meals, just add another feed time in the middle of its normal feed time...it will take a few days to see the difference, but it works for me. the other posts are full of good ideas what works for their dogs, the fact is spaniels burn bodyweight off like nothin on earth !...when i work my dogs during the season, i never work them 2 days running...thats why i have 6 working dogs, i work them in pairs. you are feeding your spaniel more that i give my labs !....is you dog a big springer ?...then i suggest 4-5 tin fulls over three meals..but let it soak in hot water as it will bulk up by 50%............try it PM me to let me know how you get on..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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