How to Treat a Malnourished Dog
Many dogs that are rescued from the streets or abusive homes come with health problems, one of the most common being malnutrition. Treating a malnourished dog takes patience, lots of care and a special diet. It is also important to have a veterinarian check out the dog thoroughly for any other health problems, such as parasites, that could be affecting the dog's weight.
Things You'll Need
- Warm dog bed
- Dog dishes
- High protein dog food
- White rice
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Cheese
- Dog treats
Instructions
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1
Keep the dog in a comfortably warm area. With little body fat, malnourished dogs are unable to keep themselves warm, and the act of shivering actually burns calories that a malnourished dog cannot afford to burn. If they are severely malnourished, considering putting a portable heater near the bed.
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2
Feed the dog breakfast first thing in the morning. Make a mixture of equal parts of scrambled egg, white rice and high protein dog food. Feed at least 1 cup of this for a small dog, 2 cups for a medium dog and 3 cups for a larger dog. If the dog will eat a little more, give them another cup. It is important not to overfeed all at once, as this could cause the dog to vomit.
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Feed a mid-morning snack of cheese and/or bits of cooked beef. Dog treats that are made with real ingredients, not fillers, are also good (check the ingredients list). Stay away from corn or corn meal, and look for meats and cheese in the first three ingredients.
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Fill up the dog's dish with high protein dog food at lunchtime, and mix in a raw egg. Follow the same feeding guidelines as you did for breakfast to determine how much to feed the dog.
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Feed some bits of chicken for a mid-afternoon snack. Again, dog treats are fine as long as the ingredients are real meat and not fillers.
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Cook up your dog a nice dinner consisting of high protein dog food, white rice and eggs. Eggs can be cooked or mixed in raw.
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Put out a bowl of dry dog food for your dog for overnight for him to munch on. Do not add any food to it that should not be sitting out, such as eggs.
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Tips & Warnings
If your dog has trouble keeping the food down, give a little pepto bismol before feedings.
If the dog won't eat, try rubbing honey on his gums. Honey stimulates hunger.
Resources
- Photo Credit www.kensingtonvet.com
Comments
View all 7 Comments-
2 weeks ago my favorite 3 mo puppy out of my Labrador's litter of 8 disappeared. Along with 3 others and today it came back extremely malnourished and covered in ticks. After hours of grooming I'm left with the malnutrition issue, I'm really hoping that this diet will help me with him.
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I found this little puppy beside the road and she doesn't look 4 weeks old n she is very mounurished and I think who ever madfe this website.
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that's a nice tip... I admit it I have a problem with my dog and I can't help my self to think of her I really want her to get back to her health if someone can add some tips for me that's better thanks :-)
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thank u! nice tips
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I just adopted a rescued dog who is malnourished. He needs to add at least another 5-6 pounds. I work full time and can't stay with him to give him 3 meals and 2 treats each day. What's your suggestion if I feed him twice (morning/evening) a day? Thanks.
