Help! My Dog Needs To Gain Weight

A Safe, Structured Guide to Supporting Healthy Weight Gain in Dogs

Helping a dog gain weight requires a calm, methodical approach. The goal is to understand why they are underweight and make steady, well‑monitored adjustments. As canine nutritionists, we focus on observation, diet structure, and clear tracking—always alongside appropriate veterinary care.

1. Start With a Veterinary Check

If your dog hasn’t had a recent vet appointment, arrange one before making dietary changes. A vet can confirm whether your dog is genuinely underweight and rule out health factors that may influence weight.

Body Condition Score Guide

Use a 1–9 scale to assess your dog’s condition:

• Scores 4–6 – Generally healthy; weight gain may not be necessary

• Scores 1–3 – Under ideal condition; supportive adjustments may help

This helps ensure decisions are based on structure rather than perception.

2. Consider Other Influencing Factors

If your vet has not identified any medical concerns, you may choose to run additional parasite screening such as Wormcount, Lungworm count, and Giardia tests. These help you build a clearer picture of your dog’s overall wellbeing. 💡 Tip: Order testing kits from Feclab and check out the Raw Feeding for Dogs Made Simple (UK)  exclusive discount codes.

3. Review the Current Diet

If Not Yet Raw‑Fed

You may choose to transition to a raw diet if you prefer a more controlled, minimally processed feeding approach. A gradual transition helps support digestive comfort—use your step‑by‑step guides to make the switch smoothly.

If Already Raw‑Fed but Experiencing Digestive Upsets

If your dog has ongoing digestive issues, complete a dietary reset before beginning a weight‑gain plan. This ensures you’re working from a stable baseline.

4. Adjust Feeding Amounts for Underweight Dogs

Check Current Intake

Using our feeding calculator, compare what your dog should be eating with what they are eating.

If your dog scores below 4 on the body condition chart:

• If already feeding the recommended amount: Increase by 0.5% of body weight per week.

• If feeding below the recommended amount: Increase by 1% per week until intake aligns with guidance.

  
  

Keep a Detailed Food Diary

Record:

• Brands

• Protein sources

• Amounts fed

Small, gradual changes help support digestive comfort and steady progress.

5. Reassess at Key Intervals

After 2 Weeks

If more progress is needed:

• Introduce higher‑fat proteins in place of leaner options

• Increase food allowance by another 0.5%, or 1% if still below recommended intake

  
  

After 4 Weeks

If you haven’t seen visible improvement, gather:

• A four‑week food diary

• Clear photos from above and side angles

You can then seek further guidance from Raw Feeding for Dogs Made Simple (UK) Facebook Group  or revisit your vet for additional support.

Supporting Healthy, Sustainable Weight Gain

With consistent tracking, thoughtful adjustments, and regular check‑ins, most dogs respond well to a structured weight‑gain plan. The aim is steady, manageable progress that supports overall wellbeing.