is it ok that my 6 month old puppy is not gaining much weight?

[patandchickens]

(I *think* it is ok, but want to make sure, as he is my first dog.)

Russell is a yellow lab (actual, not just sorta-kinda) adopted from a shelter 1 month ago at nominally 5 months of age. (Possibly a little older, as he lost his last baby tooth about 10 days ago). He weighted 40 lbs then. Now, on the same scales, he weighs 40.75 lbs. He is eating the recommended amount of Fromm brand kibble, is active and happy-seeming, and when I use condition-scoring picture charts for dogs, he seems right in the middle of the range (ribs can be felt but not easily, has a waist but not skinny, etc). I am pretty sure he has gotten *taller* since we adopted him though. He is clearly going to be more the field-type lab, taller and leggier, rather than a chunky wide boxy show-type one.

Does it seem plausible that a healthy 5-6 month old lab would gain next to no weight from one month to the next?

Thanks,

Pat

 

[AKsmama]

What does your vet say? As long as the doc thinks it's ok, then I wouldn't worry too much. I know with human kids they will go through times of little growth and weight gain, then go through tremendous spurts. Labs generally mature slowly anyway, over about 2 years, if I remember correctly.

 

[PotterWatch]

Frankly with my dogs, I go by their condition. If they look good on what they are being fed, then I assume they are doing fine. If I fed them using the recommended amount for their weight like it says on the bag, they would be skin and bones since they are working dogs. As long as your dog looks and acts healthy, I would say you have nothing to worry about!

 

[Plucky Pullet]

With young puppy they *should * be gaining weight a little more rapidly. I would take him to the vet and request a good dewormer and that will most likey solve the problem. Don;t bother with over the counter de-wormers they are not full spectrum and are usually a waste of money.

 

[patandchickens]

I'm not keen on a $60 vet visit just to ask if his weight seems ok

.... and he was wormed a month ago and had a fecal done 2 wks later, which came back clean. If he has worms, it isn't *much* I shouldn't think.

Maybe I will give it a few more months and see what happens, and if he is still not gaining much weight *then* see about another fecal and/or an appointment. He does seem perfectly happy, so I am not super concerned.

Thanks,

Pat

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

If he is a shelter pup he might still be settling into the transition to a wonderful and loving home....and if his history was not positive he could have some delays until he settles into life with you. My labs have gained weight in different ways when growing. I had one female who grew in spurts rather than slow and steady and the male chocolate we have now gained weight more consistently.
Sounds like you have done the obvious first step with the worming. I would suggest giving it a couple weeks and then if he is still not gaining give your vet a call (as long as he is not sick or losing weight). Enjoy your puppy. Labs are one of the good ones. We have a 13 year old now who has been very unwell for the last few weeks and really making it hit home to us how loved and a part of our family he is!

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

If he is a rescue, there is always the possibility that he had a bad infestation of worms early on that the rescue started to deal with. Worms at a young age like that can really set a puppy back, so it may take awhile for his body to repair the damage they did to his digestive system. If he is eating well, has a glossy coat, and no diarrhea, give him awhile to recover from that rough start before you start to look harder.

JMO


Rusty