The Best Fresh Foods for Weight Gain in Underweight Dogs

Whether your dog recently had an illness or surgery, or is simply a picky eater, fresh foods are the best option for weight gain. Being underweight not only lowers immunity and protection against diseases, but also affects your furry friend’s energy and activity level.

Because of that, high protein dog food is the safest route to weight gain. It’s much better than offering dry kibble and commercial food, as it’s packed with calories, protein, and other nutrients that entice natural weight gain for a healthy coat and boost your pet’s immune system.

How to Know If Your Dog Is Underweight

It’s crucial to make a safe transition to a high protein diet for dogs if your pet is showing signs of being underweight. Here are some of the main indicators to focus on:

• Very low energy and activity levels

• Visible ribs and spine

• Dry skin and coat

• Lack of muscles or reduction in muscle mass

While weight loss might be a consequence of recovery from an illness or surgery, it can also result from a health condition. Some dogs struggle with gaining weight while dealing with dental issues, digestive disorders, parasites, and metabolic diseases. That’s why Pawy experts will guide you in transitioning them to a safer, more natural diet to help them gain weight.

Why Is Fresh Food Important for Weight Gain

Fresh food is the best means for underweight dogs to achieve a healthier lifestyle by naturally gaining weight. Compared to commercial foods, a fresh diet provides far more vitamins and minerals, as well as other vital substances like proteins and enzymes.

Not only does fresh food pack all the necessary nutrients, but it’s also easier on the stomach. Your dog will have an easier time digesting fresh food, and the moisture content also helps keep your pet properly hydrated.

Instead of just adding fat like commercial foods, fresh dog food also has higher-quality calories for building lean muscle mass. As a result, your dog will have a more balanced body composition, which is essential for long-term health.  

Best Fresh Foods for Weight Gain

For proper weight loss, it’s not just enough to feed your pet fresh food. You’ll also need to focus on a custom diet plan. At Pawy, our expert veterinarians and dog food nutritionists carefully prepare a meal plan for each dog based on its overall health condition.

Our slow-cooked, home-style food is perfect for aiding weight gain, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Here are the main types of fresh food that are best for weight gain, according to our experts’ recommendations:

High-Calorie Protein Sources

High protein puppy food is the best way for younger dogs to gain weight and develop appropriately. Slow-cooked, boneless meats are perfect for this, including:

• Chicken

• Turkey

• Beef

• Pork

These are all calorie-dense and easily digestible. Chicken and turkey provide high-quality protein, while lean beef offers a natural source of healthy fat for proper development and weight gain without unnecessary additives.

Cooked eggs are also among the most recommended protein sources for dogs, as they contain vitamins, minerals, and healthy amino acids. On the other hand, fish like salmon or sardines introduce beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids into your dog’s diet, which helps with overall health and even entice increased appetite. 

Healthy Fats

While fats are among the most efficient nutrients for weight gain, it’s important to only focus on healthy fats. These can’t be found in commercial food, and some options include:

• Olive oil

• Coconut oil

• Full-fat yogurt

A teaspoon of fresh olive oil should be included in a fresh food diet for dogs, as it provides healthy fats that are usually tolerated by all types of dogs. Coconut oil offers a different kind of fat that supports weight gain, while a tablespoon of natural yoghurt without additives or sweeteners provides not only protein and healthy fats but also probiotics and calcium.

Nutrient-Rich Carbohydrates

Nutrient-dense carbohydrates are essential for better digestion, increased energy levels, and weight gain. They also help you maintain proper blood sugar levels in your dog, as well as entice beneficial gut bacteria.

Foods like sweet potatoes are perfect for increasing appetite and boosting your dog’s energy levels. They are packed with fibre, vitamins, and minerals, and contain approximately 180 calories per cup. You can also add options like white rice or oatmeal into the mix, as long as you prepare it with water rather than milk. 

Extra Veggies Are Always Good

At Pawy, we focus on high protein sensitive stomach dog food with a focus on veggies that are lower in calories, yet high in fibre, vitamins, and mineral content. Our meal plans might include these common slow-cooked veggies:

• Carrots

• Green beans

• Peas

• Broccoli

All of these are easy to digest, while some dogs might prefer raw vegetables to slow-cooked ones. Either way, veggies complement healthy fats and protein sources in a fresh-food diet.

Best Feeding Practices

Here are some practices for ensuring optimal intake of proper nutrients in a fresh food diet for dogs:

• Slowly introduce fresh foods into your dog’s diet. You can start with small portions and gradually increase them to allow your dog’s digestive system to get accustomed.

• Calculate portion sizes depending on your pet’s caloric needs and health condition. Our expert veterinarians are here to guide you and help you create a custom meal plan for your dog.

• Instead of two larger meals, you can divide your dog’s daily fresh food intake into 3 or 4 smaller meals. This way, it will be easier for them to adjust.

• The key to a natural and healthy weight gain is proper balance in your dog’s meals. Working with our nutritionists can help balance the ratios of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients to eliminate any deficiencies that might prevent your dog’s weight gain. 

• Avoid toxic or harmful foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, avocado, nuts, onions, or garlic.