Skinny big Koda

[Snownoir]

So my Mal/Shepard mix has a lot of nervous energy and paces around his pen all day while I'm gone at work. He is skinny, not healthy skinny either. I've had the medical training and know this is too skinny. He and my other dog are on a raw diet. Max is doing great. His coat is gorgeous, his size is perfect. He just looks amazing. They both get the same amount of food. I'm wondering if any of you have dealt with nervous dogs and know of how to redirect that energy and possibly change it to calmness. He needs to put some weight on. I'm upping his intake but what he's eating should be enough... Any suggestions? Oh, and those feeding raw to their dogs, how many pounds of meat are you giving them? or how many cups of pates or how many ounces of green smoothies? Thank you!

[lafsalot]

Well the rule of thumb is to feed 2-3% of their ideal adult body weight or approx 1/2 lb of food per 25lbs qd. The amt you feed also depends on how active your dog is. In all honesty, I don't bother weighing amts and just sort of eyeball it and adjust accordingly (age, activity, etc) Add more to Koda's.

If he's pacing all day long while your away, he is most likely stressed about your absence. Any chance a neighbor or friend can give him a walk or two when you are at work? If not, a vigorous walk before and after work may help.


Cathy

[Zella Juice]

we mix the raw meat with the pulp from our juicer. Also, a raw bone helps keep our dog focused. We also give her treat balls where you stick the treats in and they stay busy trying to get them out. Our dog gets nervous too but the more we exercise her the better she is. We run her like crazy at the doggy park. She does much better since we learned these tricks.

[Shuu]

You can get natural calming pheramones in a liquid spray to put on a bandanna to help stop the pacing. In the mean time, feed more and exercise more.

[Snownoir]

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm still looking for some calming pheramones but in the mean time, I've added garlic and flax oil to their diets and increased Koda's intake. They each get a bulb a day. I was thinking there might be a parasite thing going on as well, so garlic it is, just to be sure, and to keep the fleas and ticks away. Koda has this gnarly thing on his inner thigh, I think he got bit by something. Its funny, their gas smells all garlicky now. Its gross. But the oil does wonders. I used to use EVOO and within a few hours their coats would go silky, well, Koda's would. Max is always super soft. The flax is doing the same. Clearing up their eyes too. Koda is blowing his coat right now too.... its WAY annoying. I think these inclusions are helping though. He feels a lil thicker in the bony places. =]

Thanks everyone.

[Snownoir]

Quick lil update. Koda has poo'd out some worms. I guess that was his problem. =[ I'm glad we know though. So we're going to keep the garlic up everyday for at least a month to make sure we get the adults, larvae and eggs. It was gross.....

:P