So my boxer is skinny... Now what ? (updated w/pictures)

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

Just to clarify, did the vet say he needs to gain weight?  If he is tall, 30 pounds at 4 months doesn't really sound abnormal.  Boxer puppies should be skinny (although "skinny" is a relative term).

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

No, she didn't say he needed to gain weight, but I have seen/met other boxer pups that are his age and they seem to be more bulky than mine.  If he is supposed to be skinny, thats good.  But we never really give him treats, so I was thinking that was the problem.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

Pedigree puppy isn't a very good food, which could be why he is so thin.  Bo grew up on Purina, and he was very thin when we got him...try getting a food that isn't full of allergins and fillers...6 cups is a lot...Jetta eats 2.5-3 cups of Canidae, so it wouldn't cost you alot more money because he would be eating 1/2 as much as he normally does...

Also, beggin strips and other treats of that nature are full of wheat, corn, soy and sugar...not very good for the puppy...We buy all natural treats- some are EVO, California Natural, and Zukes Mini Naturals and other treats by Zuke's

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

Pedigree Puppy is what the breeder was giving him.  We asked our Vet and she told us she feeds her dogs Pedigree so we stayed with it.  I'll look into other types of food.

Canidae, Zukes, any other recommendations for good puppy food?  Until what age do we change him off puppy food?

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

I know I have been aiming for Cooper to eat around 4 cups of food (also Canidae) a day and he's only eating about 3 and still seems to be gaining weight.  He's 8mths old and 45lbs now.  I have to agree that they usually need much less of the higher grade foods.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

I feed Duke Puriena Pro Plan.  Duke only gets about 3 cups of food a day, we also put stuff in his food for treats, like eggs sometimes we will give him some of the meat we had for dinner.  Like Sunday I made chicken noodle soup from scratch so I took some of the chicken made sure there was no bones and put that in his dinner, last night he got roast with his food.  I mean we give him other treats to, like when he kennels and stuff but I haven't really worried about the treats so much as the food.  I would get a kong ball and put peanut butter in it.  They love that.  Just the smell of peanut butter makes Duke crazy!

But I agree try switching his food and six cups seems like a lot to me too.  Duke is fairly skinny too, he is getting more muscular now but he doesn't have the bulk that my lab mix does but from what i have been reading on this website that is pretty normal.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

If the vet says he's healthy, and he looks healthy (no spine showing, a couple of ribs showing) then I don't see the need to bulk him up.  Theres a thread on this board virtually every day with people worried about their puppies lack of weight, I don't quite understand it....it's not a competition.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

also, my pup is also 4 months old ( four months and a week and a half) and she is not quite 26 lbs...but looks healthy, no hip no spine few ribs showing...

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

Cosmo is 15 weeks old and we only give him like 2 cups of Canidae a day and he seems pretty healthy. If I had to guess a weight, I'd say he's about 18-22 lbs.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

wow. 6 cups seems to be a lot. We give oatie 4 cups a day, and Molly 3 cups a day.  I know when otis was a puppy he was really skinny too, then one day i looked at him and he had a Budunkadonk butt. Oatie is on a diet now, he weighs almost 90 pounds, he is a huge boxer tho. Hes diesel. But our vet said that she likes to see the ribs on boxers, which I think makes them a little too skinny. I am sure she will fill out as he gets older.

Oh and every once in a while I give my dogs those cute ice cream treats from the supermarket as a treat. They sell them in the dog section in a freezer. I know mine love them. And I must admit, they do get some treats from the table. They sit, and wait, and wait, and wait for even a crumb, and leave a nice puddle of drool behind.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

I'll take a picture of him later and let you decide if you think he is skinny or not.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

I believe it was Newcastle, one of our members (who is very knowledgeable about the breed) put it best quite a few months ago when she said that most puppies will go through a "walking skeleton" phase when it seems that every bone in their body sticks out.  As long as the vet says he's healthy, then I wouldn't worry too much about his weight.  He'll even out eventually!

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

My boy is around 70lbs. at 21 months, he's very tall.  You can still see the upper spine stick out when he's sitting.  He's very healthy though and the vet said he looks to be in excellent shape.  I would suggest trying to find a food that is better than Pedigree though.  Purina Pro Plan is a decent food, and it's probably going to be the cheapest you'll find that is still pretty good.  We feed our two Solid Gold, it's 41 bucks for a 33lb. bag.  Dog food prices are going up around here, but generally I use the rule of 1 dollar per lb. (natural food)=quality!

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

They sell the Cadidae at this local pet and garden center right down the street from my house. i'll pick some up and let him try it out.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

remember to wean him off of his old food, 3/4 old, 1/4 new first week, 1/2 and 1/2 the second week 1/4 old 3/4 new third week and all new 4th week...if he gets loose poop add a little (tsp) natural canned pumpkin to his food at one of his meals.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

I think you've gotten some pretty good advice so far.  I was in the same boat, Koa is a little skinny guy... all legs.  He's now 17 weeks old and JUST starting to fill out.  I see a lot of puppies here and some look nice and stocky, I figured "what's wrong with my pup".  No worries though, as long as they're healthy, they'll start putting on weight.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

Luther had the same issue when he was that age.  After that he took off.  He is about 26" and 70LBS..  He is 10 months old.

He eats 3 cups a day of Innova Adult Kibble.

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

We feed both of our dogs Nutro lamb and rice.  They both seem to be allergic to wheat.  Our Haley is 3 now and a whopping 42 pounds.  We feed her 3 cups a day plus treats.  Little table scrap or vegtables for treats.  Our vet calls her athletic.  Our Bichon is a whopping 13 pounds and is skinny for him too.  They play hard and just exercise it off.  The vet always comments on our "athletic" dogs.  Don't worry.  Some people are skinny and some are overweight.  As long as they are healthy and active.  That is what is important to me!!

Re: So my boxer is skinny... Now what ?

I really wouldnt be too worried about it! My girls 2 1/2 and 60lbs and she still looks skinny too me anyway but shes VERY active and runs all her weight off lol My boy is 8 months old and about 55lbs but I can still see his ribs! Hes very leggy. Id agree with switching his food and do it slowly! Both my dogs were on Canidae and did VERY well I just recently switched to ProPlan Salmon and they are doing really good on that too and their coats are amazing!