Dog supplements for weight gain to bulk out your pooch

Owners of lean pups needn’t worry anymore with dog supplements for weight gain, providing the necessary nutrients to get some meat on those bones. Of all dog supplements you can pinch for your pooch, weight gain supplements for dogs may be the most important, especially if your new companion has come from a rescue centre – or is having a tough time with their health. These smart and vet-approved powders and food to help dogs gain weight can help your pooch look (and feel) healthier than ever before.

Helping your dog to gain weight can not only feel stressful for you, but other owners may judge you by the way your dog looks. If you’ve adopted a rescue, their weight loss may be due to stress and trauma, says Buddy & Lola. It’s “not always one thing” and can range from pickiness to requiring probiotic support. So, weight gain supplements for pooches work by providing them with the extra calories and nutrients they need to bulk up to a healthy weight.

Dog supplements for weight gain at a glance

• Best dog food for weight gain: Lily’s Kitchen Recovery Recipe - View offer at Lily's Kitchen
• Best high-protein weight gain treat: Pooch & Mutt High Protein Beef Jerky - View offer at Pooch & Mutt
• Best dog supplement for weight gain: Buddy & Lola Dog Weight Gainer Supplement - View offer on Amazon UK

Leaner pooches may have “a slight narrowing around your dog’s waist - and in certain breeds, a faint outline of their ribcage,” according to Buddy & Lola. Alongside trying dog food for weight gain, you may be able to encourage your food-avoidant pooch to take a bite of their food by changing their dinnertime environment, removing pressure from other dogs and ensuring there is little movement around their dog bowl. However, if you're concerned about the welfare of your pup, always speak to your vet.

Finding the best dog supplements for weight gain can be helped by a dog DNA test, which can determine your pooch’s breed, and shed light on potential health issues and food sensitivities. After all, every dog is different and will require specific changes for weight gain. For example, greyhound racers are notoriously lean and when rescued, can have dental issues – which can be a cause of poor intake. So, we’ve found the best supplements for weight gain in dogs to ensure good health - not to mention high-calorie dog food to bulk up your dog naturally.

Best dog supplements for weight gain

Start with diet changes

Then, consider supplements

Verdict: Which is the best dog supplement for weight gain?

Our top pick is the Buddy & Lola Dog Weight Gainer Supplement, which should be tested after you make some changes to your pooch's diet with excess treats, high-calorie wet food and protein bars.

What to consider in dog supplements for weight gain

Before you dive into our picks, consider if weight gain supplements are right for your dog. If you’ve attempted to bulk your dog out with a change in diet and have seen no change, a supplement may be a good option, says Buddy & Lola. But, we’d recommend speaking to your vet first, who can advise on if this is "right for your dog based on their health and dietary needs,” as well as dosage.

As a general rule of thumb, start small and gradually increase the amount.

When it comes to the best weight gainer for dogs, Buddy & Lola have a few pointers:

High quality – protein helps “dogs grow bigger, stronger and healthier.”

Convenience – providing a way to “add extra calories without adding an extra meal.”

Irresistible flavour – can encourage “fussy eaters and sickly dogs.”

FAQs

What do I do if my dog is underweight?

There are so many reasons why your dog might not be at its optimum weight. This can be a result of picky eating, recovery from an illness, re-homing or even when nursing puppies. Your vet should be the first port of cool when you notice any sudden (and unexpected) loss of weight. So, how do we fatten up a dog?

Consult the scales – from time to time. Though it’s not easy to put your temperamental pooch on some scales, it can help keep track of any changes. Next, appearance is another factor, namely their silhouette and the fat that should be around their ribs. Buddy & Lola adds: “Remember that some breeds are ‘leaner’ than others, but there should always be some padding between ribs and skin.”

Review their diet – by consulting a dog feeding guide, taking into account age, breed and activity levels. Your vet may propose a new diet and exercise regime, for example, adding “an extra daily meal or offering smaller, more frequent meals,” suggests Buddy & Lola. Supplementary calories can even be added as dog biscuits or even human food; for this, think protein and avoid anything toxic.

Consider a high-calorie supplement – which can usually be sprinkled “onto your dog’s existing food.” Catering to the fussiest of pups, powder supplements typically come flavoured – Buddy & Lola’s Weight Gainer is a delicious chicken. Energy and protein are both vital for your pup to stay in good shape. Much like a joint support supplement, a weight gainer can support your pup’s well-being, too.

What do I do if my dog is eating – but losing weight still?

Unpredictable, sudden weight loss can be a sign of a bigger problem. And – if you’ve exhausted all your options – from supplementation to diet changes, to no avail, then you should be concerned. Health issues such as endocrine disorders, infections and cancer can cause weight loss in dogs:

Intestinal parasites – is a common cause of weight loss, triggering diarrhoea and vomiting.

Diabetes – can affect dogs too, causing weight gain or weight loss in our furry friends.

Maldigestion – is a term used to define a dog’s issues with digesting their chow properly.

Malabsorption – describes a dog’s “inability to absorb food properly”, cutting off vital nutrients.

Dental disease – is a “leading cause”, as discomfort from chewing can prevent chowing down.

Kidney disease – can be spotted by “increased thirst, urination and appetite.”

Liver disease – could be the root problem of your pooch’s sudden weight loss.

Heart disease – may suppress a pooch’s appetite, resulting in a sudden weight loss.

Cancer – and tumours are a common cause, too, as these cells consume all of our energy.

Other signs to look out for weight loss is “lack of energy, decreased appetite, excessive drinking or urination, decreased mobility or pain, vomiting, head shaking, and anything else out of the ordinary,” says Buddy & Lola. Start with reviewing their diet, as weight loss can be due to feeding and nutrition.

A great starting point is to feed your pooch “three to four small meals per day”, to up their calorie intake, suggests Buddy & Lola, whilst complimenting the meal with a weight-gaining supplement.

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.