9 Month Sighthound Basic Condition Advice Please

[Squeamish5 309]

Hi I'm new here, got a rescue pup, don't plan to work him as I'm pathetically squeamish.

Nevertheless I'd really appreciate some advice from people who know what they're talking about if anyone can spare the time.

 

Nutrition: pup (now 9 months) born in good rescue to street dog. Fed on reasonable quality dry food from weaned til 5+ mths, and now mainly on varied meat + veg stew and whole grain mixer, with daily chicken wing toothbrush (Raw Meaty bones diet just doesn't work for how we live).

Will any deficiencies in mother's diet during gestation have shown up in an obvious way by now?

 

Body condition: boney-arsed skinny type. Seems fit and healthy. Feels knobbly on all bone ends. And still looks a bit foal-ish round the elbows. Are the knobbles normal? And should I be able to feel all bones through coarsish coat at this age? (Very different body to adult ex-racing grey .. I don't know what's normal)

Has a 1 hour walk / run each morning and 1 or 2 shorter on-lead ones aftern and eve. He's mainly walked in a park with tarmac paths, and allowed to run over grass and Tarmac, so returned to lead a few times each walk. Also on shingle beach.

Is there anything I'm doing wrong or could do better if I want him to grow up fit and healthy?

 

Thanks.

[BGD 6,437]

As Katchum says need a pic really pal but doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong, could always try adding a bit of fat to his meals (just a few lumps of dripping or lard mixed through his usual feed) if you're worried he's a bit on the skinny side

[tb25 4,627]

Mine looks like a arse SPCA case MNsome mutts just are very skinny types..I hate it lol..sounds like ya doing well keep at it.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Mine looks like a arse SPCA case MNsome mutts just are very skinny types..I hate it lol..sounds like ya doing well keep at it.

You said yours was a poor eater didn't you aswell as being a light built type?

[tb25 4,627]

Bit of both mate yes..but being a skinny type is maybe why she's a poor eater...maybe she just don't need the food like I think she should..easily filled and fuild up with minimal grub..

[Squeamish5 309]

As Katchum says need a pic really pal but doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong, could always try adding a bit of fat to his meals (just a few lumps of dripping or lard mixed through his usual feed) if you're worried he's a bit on the skinny side

He doesn't look especially thin, (he looks great actually) he just feels really bony and knobbly. My only point of reference is a well muscled adult greyhound, so I'm assuming maybe it's just that he hasn't developed a lot of muscle yet? Sorry if this seems dim, but this is my first pup.

To be honest, even if I knew how to post a pic, most are just of him being a pet dog, so wouldn't be of much help.

Thanks for the advice.

[squab 2,875]

never had a bad/fussy eater myself,been lucky maybe...........have i feck be firm is the way...........maybe......always worked for me,never owned a dog that will starve itself to death so makes it easy

[tb25 4,627]

Probly just worried over note..you don't need a working picture.eny will do lol..

[tb25 4,627]

Probly another of gazs friends.

[Squeamish5 309]

The fact that the dog looks good is a sign its okay, most probs just over thinking things. By the way tho are ye a guy, cos a guy called squeamish, just screams gay lol

Haha neither gay nor a man. Just not very good with blood or dead things.

You're right I'm probs over thinking things, just want to get him off to the right start.

He's 25", and 18.5 kilos (40lb).

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

never had a bad/fussy eater myself,been lucky maybe...........have i feck be firm is the way...........maybe......always worked for me,never owned a dog that will starve itself to death so makes it easy

Same here I've always been firm with them from pups. They eat what they are given. Always loads of variety so they eat anything when older and if they don't eat it then they don't get something else.

 

Both of my lurchers eat anything and will eat as much as I give them. Great when working them hard in winter, can keep them looking good. 2lb of fatty meat in a morning and 3lb of chicken and tripe after lamping. Keeps the weight on them.

 

But I reckon I could of been lucky with it. Don't wanna tempt fate and my next one be a fussy bugger. Lol.

 

To the OP - get a photo up. He sounds about right off the height and weight but it depends on bone structure. my 24" bitch is 40lb fit and she's a racey type. My other bitch is touching 25" and is closer to 50lb but she's a fair bit heavier set.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Probly another of gazs friends.

None of my friends are gay. They touch my bum but that doesn't make them gay they said.

[Squeamish5 309]

[Squeamish5 309]

Dog looks fine, stop stressing and get hoovering and some cakes baked lol

Snort. Dunno about the hoovering, but I'm on it with the cakes. Xx Thanks.

[jiggy 3,209]

If thats a sh1t behind the dog in picture and thats a tapeworm in front of him that just crawled out of it he certainly will be fine from now on and wont be long getting conditon back...............ha ha.......... or else its just a piece of seaweed and rope and the dog is on the beach he looks good anyways.