The Holistic Approach to Pet Health and Nutrition

Pet Care - Frequently Asked Questions - My Pet is Underweight. Should I feed him more?

My pet is Underweight. Should I feed him more?

It is necessary to establish if the pet really is underweight. There are so many overweight pets that a fit, lean one looks underweight. Forget what the charts and scales-say. You should be able to feel the ribs with only a thin covering of skin. In a short-coated animal you should not be able to see the ribs and the bones should not be prominent. Many animals are lean because they are active, not because they need more food. Often, increasing the food intake will reduce the efficiency of digestion so the dog or cat may not put on weight. Increased feeding may even cause problems.