Malnourished Cane Corso

[Mr.Gritame]

I'm new to this community so let me start by saying "Hello".
I have two Cane Corsi one Male and one Female. I obtained my year old male "Rex" from my cousin who could not care for him and he has some social issues that we are working on,but he is very thin. I can see his ribs! I have him on a high quality Large Breed dog food and he is slowly putting on some weight. However he has very poor muscle tone. I would like to beef him up any advice? I walk him at least 1 mile a day but I'm not sure what I can feed him to help him bulk up. Please share any knowledge you may have on building muscle tone. Thanks!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Hi...personally I would concentrate on his weight gain first, getting him to a healty weight and then work on his muscle mass. Slowly does it if he is extremely thin. Im sure Smart Family will chime in here and offer food advice, you dont mention what the make of the food is, that would help. Also his age and weight, how long have you had him etc?

 

[Mr.Gritame]

Thank you for the reply! I have had Rex for three weeks now and his weight is slowly improving,but because CC are so muscular he looks funny. I just want him to look and be healthy. He is currently eating Purina Large Breed dog food and I have not had him weighed because it's obvious to me he is not where he needs to be. My female runs circles around him so he seems to be feeling it physically as well. My neighbor told me to give him protein powder for humans. I just don't think that's a good idea. I figure there has to be a more natural way to improve his muscle tone.

 

[CeeCee]

When I adopted my CC?/EM?, he too was severly underweight. I agree with Mooshi's Mom. Concentrate on health first - the rest will follow. I feed Zeke Arcana Pacifica and home cooked meals. He is back to health and is now working on size.

The way I see it the "lack" of bulk only extends my window to work on laying the foundation of obedience before we get to full blown adolescence. Eak!

 

[musicdeb]

3 weeks is not a long time for Rex to be stress free. It can take a rehomed dog 8-12 months to totally trust their new owner. I agree, health first and then work on muscle tone.

Thank you for rescuing him for what sounds like, a not so great home.