5 Tips on How to Put Weight on a Malnourished Dog


Malnourishment can be a serious, and potentially life-threatening condition for a dog.

So needless to say, if your dog is underweight then it’s important to help them reach a healthy weight!

And here at Bully Max, we’re here to help.

With that in mind, here are our top 5 tips on how to put weight on a malnourished dog. And not just any weight, but healthy weight.

Because remember, your goal shouldn’t just be to increase weight at all costs. Rather, your goal should be to help your dog gain lean muscle and consume an adequate amount of nutrients.

So let’s get started with…

Tip #1: Increase Meal Frequency

Probably the simplest way to help your dog gain weight is to feed them an extra meal each day. So if you’re currently in the habit of feeding your dog once a day, give them two meals a day. Or if you’re feeding them twice, try adding an extra meal around lunchtime.

This is an easy way to dramatically increase your dog’s calorie intake. And because the size of each meal can remain the same, you won’t have to worry about your dog getting full and being unable to finish each meal.

Tip #2: Increase Calorie Density

The other way to help your dog consume more calories is to make each meal more calorie-dense. Now, the problem with this approach is that feeding your dog too much food at once can lead to your dog getting full or even overeating and getting sick.

(And you don’t want that!)

But don’t worry—we’ve got your back. Here at Bully Max, we offer a convenient weight gain supplement called Bully Max Liquid Weight Gainer 2-in-1.

The great thing about this supplement is that it’s super easy to add to your dog’s meal: just shake some of this high-calorie healthy liquid onto your dog’s meal to add more calories in the form of fish oil, whey protein, and 26 added vitamins & minerals.

The other nice thing about this product is that because it comes in liquid form, it won’t make your dog feel extra full. So they won’t have any trouble finishing their meals…

Making this an extremely effective supplement for weight gain.

Tip #3: Remember to Exercise

Some people seem to believe that for their dog to gain weight, they should avoid exercise…thinking that it will only burn calories and be counterproductive.

But the truth is the exact opposite.

For one thing, your dog’s appetite will suffer without exercise. But by making sure your dog takes frequent walks and has a chance to play regularly, you’ll be stoking your dog’s hunger AND helping to keep them as healthy as possible.

Now, this is not to say that you should force a malnourished dog to run if they don’t want to. But at the very least, you should take your dog for a regular walk to help them stay healthy.

Because after all, exercise is good for your dog—and health is the ultimate goal here.

Tip #4: Track Your Dog’s Progress

If your dog appears to be malnourished, the first thing you should always do is take them to the vet. This way you can get a baseline evaluation of their health & weight, while also making sure they don’t have any underlying conditions that could be contributing to their condition.

And after that, make it a point to track your dog’s weight over time. By weighing your dog regularly you can keep an eye on their progress.

If your dog’s weight increases over time, that’s a sign that things are working—so keep it up!

But if your dog doesn’t gain any weight after a week or two, that’s a sign that you need to increase the calories. (In which case you may want to try tip #1 or tip #2 on this list.)

Tip #5: Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand

Another really helpful way to feed your dog some extra calories is to have a healthy snack on hand. That way, you’ll always have something ready to feed your dog anytime they seem hungry.

Here at Bully Max, we have a healthy snack option we think you (and your dog) will love:

Power Chews for Dog Weight Gain

These chews are high in calories and packed with gut-healthy probiotics. They’re a fantastically healthy snack you can give your dog anytime—making them a great option for long walks, play sessions, and more. Hopefully these tips will help you to put healthy weight on a malnourished dog. And if you’re looking for more, check out these 7 extra tips to help you add healthy weight to your dog.

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8 comments

Donna Dunn on Aug 12, 2024

I took in a puppy of 13 weeks. The Vet said she malnourished. She might have a German Shepherd as Dad. So she recommended Science diet large breed puppy food. She gave all shot took stool sample. and in 2weeks more shots. But no other advice. Do you have food & supplements for a puppy.

Veterinarian on May 11, 2024

Hi, Mark!

1. answer: You must not encourage overeating in your Pitbull as this can cause problems such as GDV (bloat). You can safely increase his weight by giving him multiple high-calorie meals in a day instead. We suggest Bully Max 30/20 High Protein Dog Food and Liquid Weight Gain Supplement. In terms of corn, this ingredient is generally safe but Bully Max chose to include better whole grains in its formulations.

2. answer: Hi, Mark! Increased appetite, skin issues, a poor body condition and a pot-bellied appearance despite high energy levels are not normal in dogs and could be a sign of a metabolic disorder like Cushing’s disease or malnutrition. Please have your pet checked by a veterinarian.

Mark on May 11, 2024

I was given a starved pit bull and when I feed her she devours the food so fast without chewing. And is it not good to give them food with corn in it?

Mark on May 11, 2024

I 2s given a pit bull that her bones are showing her skin. She go. Lew food and her belly is way too big. All she wants to do is eat. She been ear cropped and hasqnners ut sh s beenqbusee. She responds very well toe
What do I do?

Simon Lott on Mar 15, 2024

I need serious help. My dog is super malnourished and I have him on the purple bag of value pak high protein dog food. He want gain weight. I’m a worm him again to make sure he don’t have worms but he has never gained since I’ve had him the past 6 years.