By:
Filters
What's new
Mastiff Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Welcome back!

    We decided to spruce things up and fix some things under the hood. If you notice any issues, feel free to contact us as we're sure there are a few things here or there that we might have missed in our upgrade.

scrawny pup

F

froglip1321

Member
My almost 4 mo. EM is a tad scrawny. The vet says he is not underweight but could use a few pounds....he is now 36 pounds. I have him eating Earthborn coastal catch. Vet says to give him 4 to 4.5 cups a day. Does anyone know if fee​ding more is right thing to do? I was giving him about 3.5 a day.
 
Last edited:
Smart_Family

Smart_Family

Dog Food Guru
By feeding him that much you will be putting him at risk of growth issues later on. That's more than my one year old mastiff eats and she's a little over a 100 lbs. Can you see your pups ribs or just feel them? If you can see them then maybe another food is in order but if you can just feel them that's perfectly normal. Mastiffs grow slowly and steadily over the first 2-3 years of life. If he's eating and active and is gaining, even slowly, then I wouldn't worry. Has he been dewormed recently? That may be a good idea as well, just in case he has some worms that are keeping him from gaining quicker.
 
ruthcatrin

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
Smart_Family said:
By feeding him that much you will be putting him at risk of growth issues later on. That's more than my one year old mastiff eats and she's a little over a 100 lbs. Can you see your pups ribs or just feel them? If you can see them then maybe another food is in order but if you can just feel them that's perfectly normal. Mastiffs grow slowly and steadily over the first 2-3 years of life. If he's eating and active and is gaining, even slowly, then I wouldn't worry. Has he been dewormed recently? That may be a good idea as well, just in case he has some worms that are keeping him from gaining quicker.
Click to expand...

That.

If he does need a couple extra pounds I'd look at adding some protein (ie: meat) rather than "more food" to be honest. But honestly slim is a GOOD thing for these guys.
 
F

froglip1321

Member
If another food is in order.....any suggestions? And yes..my wife and i can see his ribs. He has tested negative for parasites. Other than being thin he is the best tempered most loving little guy we have ever had.
Thanks for the help.
 
ruthcatrin

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
Are you feeding 2 meals or 3? Do you use stuffable kongs (or some similer)? Is he otherwise doing well on the food? Firm poop? Healthy coat? No itching?

I don't know that you have to add change foods, especially if he's otherwise doing well on it. Smart family's better at this than me, but I'm thinking either the addition of a small meal, or a couple stuff-able kongs, of something to add some proten calories to his diet, and not of kibble. Maybe some chicken or something similer?
 
raechiemay

raechiemay

Well-Known Member
Was he the smallest in his litter? Our pup is 5.5 months & she was the runt & weighed 36 lbs at her 4 month mark. She's 57 lbs now & is "scrawny" looking but it's just her build. With her being the smallest, I'm just going to assume she's going to be a smaller girl. We can't see her ribs but we can feel them. Can you post pics of your guy?
 
Smart_Family

Smart_Family

Dog Food Guru
Well since you're feeding 3 times the recommended amount I would not increase the food. As far as another food, I need to do some research. Coastal Catch is already fairly high in calories.
 
Smart_Family

Smart_Family

Dog Food Guru
The feeding guidelines for the food recommends 1.75 cups for 35lbs so I guess more like double the amount. I looked at it real quick before and math isn't always my strong point haha.
 
F

froglip1321

Member
I will try to get some pictures posted. We feed him 3 meals a day and he has a great coat and no itching. We don't
know if he was the runt...we never asked. He approached my wife and licked her face....she was sold on him instantl
y. I want to stick with earthborne if possible...I know they have other grain free foods. Should I look into a different flavor? His poop is firm and he does get bison treats occasionally. Maybe I'm worrying too much like my better half says.
 
Steinhelm

Steinhelm

Member
I feed Call of the Wild bison and venison. One thing we looked into was finding a food with a decent amount of fatty calories. The fish based foods are low in fat, but puppies do need fat, just not too much. So we settled on the high prairie formula.
 
Last edited:
ruthcatrin

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
Steinhelm said:
I feed Call of the Wild bison and venison. One thing we looked into was finding a food with a decent amount of fatty calories. The fish based foods are low in fat, but puppies do need fat, just not too much. So we settled on the high prairie formula.
Click to expand...

Not a huge fan of Diamond. If your dog's doing great on it cool, but I don't recommend it...
 
Steinhelm

Steinhelm

Member
Have you looked at the high prairie puppy formula? It meets all the criteria. 28% protein, 17% fat, calcium 1.4, phos 1, no byproducts. Besides the companies tarnished reputation, what would you point out as an issue with the food? Not throwing down the gauntlet, just requesting clarification so I can evaluate whether I need to switch foods?
 
D

dg2

Member
Put him on Orijen Large breed Puppy. He needs more meat in his diet and the fish based food is not doing it. Also, 4-4.5 cups per day is way too little for a growing english Mastiff. Perhaps your vet meant to say 4-cups twice a day ? Your pup needs at least 6-8 cups a day min !!! And dry Orijen Large Breed Pup , if his stool stays too loose mix 75% Lifes Abundance 25% Orijen.... Wathc him fill out the right way !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.