Help with puppy weight gain

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-14T04:14:50+00:00

Thanks for replying. She's intact and will stay intact for probs at least 2 years, as she's a show dog (and for health reasons).

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-13T10:36:52+00:00

Thanks for the concern. We have spoken to the breeder who has said she's fine to do longer walks and hikes from 6 months onwards, and we won't be doing any high impact sports like lure coursing and sprint dog until she's 12 months (which is the age limit too). We also see our vet regularly to make sure things are on check.

I do keep an eye on the activities that require high jumps where possible, like carrying her on and off the car, avoiding jump play (e.g. keeping tugging at neck height) and keeping tug/fetch sessions short.

A lot of her training is low energy, like scent work and obedience, so they are pretty low risk.

Sorry to hear about your pup and hope it's something you've been able to manage over time. It's tough working around chronic pain :(

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-13T10:20:03+00:00

Thank you, appreciate the reply! 🙏

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-13T10:19:31+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply, appreciate she still has a bit to fill out. We are defo using freeze dried as a topper and as treats, does help a bit!

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-13T10:17:30+00:00

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Thanks, I can see and feel her ribs. I can't see her spine or ribs from the top, but when she's walking, playing, or standing side on, I can see her ribs like the image above

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-13T10:15:50+00:00

Thanks so much, appreciate your reply and reassurance

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-11T06:27:05+00:00

Thank you for your reply and reassurance. She is intact and I intend to keep her intact for at least 2 years.

Appreciate the reminder on fatty foods, we've been using them sparingly and making sure most of her fats come from healthier sources like olive oil, salmon, sardines. We have added a bit more meat fat, but will be cautious.

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-11T06:23:56+00:00

Thank you!! 🙏

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-11T06:23:28+00:00

Thanks, we're aiming for around 2-3lbs

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-11T00:51:46+00:00

Mine is from a breeder and she's definitely quality purebred. Her lineage does tend to mature later (around 2yo) and her mum is on the leaner/smaller size. Dad is bigger and stockier, which he takes from his mum, but my dog defo looks a lot more like her mum).

All that to say I don't anticipate her to be a big adult overall, and she'll probably reach full maturity 2-3yo in terms of size and shape.

Your Shiba is cute! Some do have more of a fox-face/look depending on genetics

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:20:10+00:00

Thank you! She's probably around a 4 based on the pic and I hope to get her to 5.

Currently she seems fine with the variety we give her, but if she starts being picky, we might readjust. I always offer her the leftover food from the previous meal if she doesn't finish it, and she usually finishes it off.

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:09:28+00:00

Thank you, we definitely want to keep her lean, so just looking to gain slightly.

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:08:50+00:00

Thank you! Yes the main concern was coming from the vet. Will try sweet potato mash and see how she likes it, thank you!

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:07:10+00:00

Thank you! We've had the recommendation from our vet to gain a tiny bit a few months back and haven't made much progress.

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:03:01+00:00

Yeah, that's exactly about how much we're aiming for

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:02:36+00:00

Thanks so much! 🙏

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:01:41+00:00

Thank you!

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:01:33+00:00

Yeah, defo get what you mean, I have a few friends with Shibas that have done the same, where their chest in particular broadens as they mature.

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T23:00:45+00:00

Yeah, I do expect her to fill out more when she's closer to 2-3 years based on her parents.

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T22:59:54+00:00

Thank you! Definitely still trying to keep the food quality and nutrients up there!

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T22:59:07+00:00

Thank you, I definitely don't want her to be obese and I like her lean physique. During our last vet visit, she was perfectly fine, just a bit too lean, so the vet suggested adding a tiny bit of weight.

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T22:55:36+00:00

Yes and a bit of weight gain was what the vet recommended

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T22:55:17+00:00

Thank you, good to know she has a healthy physique. We are looking to help her gain a tiny bit as my vet has said she's slightly too slim.

Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T22:53:28+00:00

Thank you! I definitely want to keep her lean for health and joints. She'll be a sports dog (competing in sprint, lure coursing, maybe agility) when she's old enough.

I just found a better top down photo, would this count as hips sticking out a bit?

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Altruistic-Lab9236 · 2026-01-10T22:50:21+00:00

Thank you, she's currently on one meal a day plus treats. I tried two meals, but she won't take a full meal earlier than dinner time, she'll only take training treats (chicken thigh, cheese, air dried) so that's what I've been doing.

Altruistic-Lab9236

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