B.P.R 2,798 Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 (edited) What's the general rule for a dogs size and how many bones are showing? I've heard that a genaral rule is 2-3 ribs visible to the eye and a few spine bones just protruding? I'm just Trying to get my whippets food right Now with her increased walking and exercise. You can see the top ridge of her spine and most of her ribs, that doesn't bother me. What does make me worry a little is that you can just see the pins on her hips. I'm guessing she is underweight? This is my first running dog so I'm Still learning...... With her injuries she has been cage/ homebound and now were walking 4-7 miles a day, I'm just trying to get her right. Thanks Edited January 5, 2012 by Veedublee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RossM 8,149 Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 IMO pins should be visible but not overly visible, 2-4 ribs showing with a muscle definition halfway down, but let's be honest not every dog can look like that, dogs with a quick metabolism tend to show ribs and spine, my old bitch can go to looking like a bag of bones after 1 hard night on the lamp, whereas my other bitch I can't keep weight off her, I'm sure there will be many varied views and opinions on this one but the main thing is as long as YOU know your dogs well fed, well kept and healthy and generally in good fettle that's all that matters mate, keep at it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike1458 14 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I have a mate with a whippet/grey. And believe me she eats and eats but she doesn't put the weight on. Like RM2508 said as long as you know she is well fed then that's all that matters. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Attack Fell Terrier 864 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Maybe you could ask to see pics of other peoples Whippets on the running dog section and get an idea from there? All the best with the Whippet mate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moll. 1,770 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I've noticed a great many people confuse under muscled dogs with underweight ones. I became aware of this when my dogs have been laid up due to injury, they appear to have lost weight even though they were being fed the same when working, so technically should have been gaining weight due to the lack of exercise. When a dog starts to lose muscle, the back bone, pins etc etc which would normally be edged with muscle will be more visible, giving it the appearance of losing weight. All dogs are different, my lurchers pins are always visible, yet the whippets are not. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,512 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 You no being a bit quick trying to get the pup toned up just yet ?. A bit more tlc ?. How longs it been since she broke her legs ?. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B.P.R 2,798 Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I'm not trying to tone her up, no way. Just trying to get her back on track. I think she's lost weight due to increased exercise. Time to up her food as she's burning more calories Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Country Joe 1,411 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 What age is she ? up to a year i just pump as much quality grub into them as they want, mine gets two raw chicken wings for breakfast then minced Lamb, Chicken and Beef, used to feed raw but he went off it, i now cook it for 15 mins, he also gets all my ferreted rabbits, i should feed oily fish once a week, but he is fucy and wont touch it, i always have a bowl of quality complete that he can take adlib supplements SA50 and cod liver oil three times a week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 6,552 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 It all depends on the dog, looking at pics of other whippets won't help as there is a difference in build between the show, racing and working types. If you have greatly increased her exercise and she was fine weight wise before then she will definitely need more food now. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Attack Fell Terrier 864 Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 I'm not trying to tone her up, no way. Just trying to get her back on track. I think she's lost weight due to increased exercise. Time to up her food as she's burning more calories What do you feed your Whippet on? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B.P.R 2,798 Posted January 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 She was on Minced meat with a mixer....... On advice from skycat I have been feeding raw chicken, carcasses, lamb, ribs etc. Think it's called BARF? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moll. 1,770 Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 She was on Minced meat with a mixer....... On advice from skycat I have been feeding raw chicken, carcasses, lamb, ribs etc. Think it's called BARF? Barf is not just meat and bones, you need liquidised veg also Quote Link to post Share on other sites
frankel 2,123 Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 I've noticed a great many people confuse under muscled dogs with underweight ones. I became aware of this when my dogs have been laid up due to injury, they appear to have lost weight even though they were being fed the same when working, so technically should have been gaining weight due to the lack of exercise. When a dog starts to lose muscle, the back bone, pins etc etc which would normally be edged with muscle will be more visible, giving it the appearance of losing weight. All dogs are different, my lurchers pins are always visible, yet the whippets are not. your dog was in top nick today, was an absolute credit to ya whatever your doing you will have to tell me lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moll. 1,770 Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 I've noticed a great many people confuse under muscled dogs with underweight ones. I became aware of this when my dogs have been laid up due to injury, they appear to have lost weight even though they were being fed the same when working, so technically should have been gaining weight due to the lack of exercise. When a dog starts to lose muscle, the back bone, pins etc etc which would normally be edged with muscle will be more visible, giving it the appearance of losing weight. All dogs are different, my lurchers pins are always visible, yet the whippets are not. your dog was in top nick today, was an absolute credit to ya whatever your doing you will have to tell me lol Bless ye, thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B.P.R 2,798 Posted January 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 She was on Minced meat with a mixer....... On advice from skycat I have been feeding raw chicken, carcasses, lamb, ribs etc. Think it's called BARF? Barf is not just meat and bones, you need liquidised veg also Aye they get veg, not liquidised though it's mashed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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