Effective Weight Gain Strategies for Your Rottweiler

Things You'll Need

• Dog physical

• Fresh water

• High-protein dog food

• Vitamin supplements

Warning

Do not feed greasy cooked meats like hamburger, sausage or chicken. Protect an underweight dog from the elements.

Tip

Introduce new foods slowly Ensure your dog rests for at least an hour after it eats.

Maintain your dog's weight to keep it happy and healthy.

Rottweilers can grow to be rather large dogs. When an unexpected illness or surgery happens, these big dogs can suffer significant weight loss. Sometimes after an illness, the dog may have difficulty gaining weight. There are several ways to help your dog regain lost weight including checking your dog for underlying health problems and increasing its protein intake.

Step 1

Have the dog checked for worms. Worm infestation is the leading cause of weight loss in dogs. Because not every type of intestinal parasite can be treated at home, it is important to take your pet to the veterinarian to check for parasites. Once parasites are eliminated, the dog should gain weight normally.

Step 2

Keep the dog hydrated with plenty of fresh water. A dog that is dehydrated will tend to lose weight. A rottweiler should have access to as much water as it wants to consume; the breed generally requires at least 20-40 ml of water per pound of body weight.

Step 3

Exercise your dog on a daily basis. Start slow, with daily walks, and increase gradually to short runs. The exercise helps build muscle tone and stimulates the appetite. Rottweilers should be large, muscular dogs.

Step 4

Start feeding small portions of human-grade food that are high in protein. Fresh meat, cheese, egg, fish and veggies are good choices to help promote weight gain, and they can easily be mixed into the rottweiler's food. Do not feed the dog greasy meats that can cause diarrhea and lead to more weight loss. A good homemade recipe for a rottie to encourage weight gain is called a fat ball. It is made by mixing hamburger, oats, egg yolk, wheat germ and molasses into a ball and feeding 1 pound per 20 pounds of weight. For example, an 80-pound rottweiler should be fed a 4-pound fat ball once per day.

Step 5

Feed puppy food to boost weight. Many puppy foods are high in calories and protein and help promote fat and healthy muscle development. To help a rottweiler gain weight, feed it at least 290 calories per 15 pounds each day.Slowly mix the puppy food in with the current dog food a little at a time to avoid stomach upset. Adding gravy or a canned dog food to the dog's diet may encourage the dog to eat more.

Step 6

Give the dog vitamin and mineral supplements. Take a trip to your veterinarian and pick up the recommended supplement for your dog. There are also supplements that you can purchase from feed stores that will encourage weight gain.

Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.