[Pitbull_Lover08]

I was at the rescue center on Thursday & my eyes got LOCKED on this beautiful, sweet, loving, full of life blue & white female pit bull. I intimidatly fell in love with her and adopted her the next day! Just another addition to my GREAT family!! She was lucky enough to be in there for only 3 days before I came along. She is 11 weeks old and 40 pounds exactly... I am worried that she is WAY under weight because you can see the every curve of like 3-4 of her back bones and the ribs are showing pretty bad... The bad thing is the food im feeding her is the high priced Purina ($40 a bag!) and she wont hardly touch it, she just nit picks every now and then... How do I put weight on her??? I TRIED to take some pictures of her today so here they are I hope this gives you a little taste of what she looks like... if she wasn't so dark in blue color you could SEE the ribs and back bone so much better bec they are sticking out pretty good.

Bone Pics....






Somewhat good pics of her...




So what do u all think??? Does Petsmart have any kinda weight gain formula? Or maybe a pill of some kind? Also... how do I get her to eat, she only picks at it

ok don't panic. that dog is not underweight. 40lbs for 11 weeks is huge by any standard. also, what you have there is what is known today as an american bully. it is an APBT crossed with more than likely an American bulldog or similar to create a larger dog. this dog will surely grow to be a very large dog. like i said...don't panic it's not underweight. my 1 year old APTBT's are both only 40 lbs. people who don't know think these dogs should have a "barrel" look to them in the body area. that is definitely not the case and is unhealthy for your dog. putting strain on joints, an the heart due to obesiety. an APBT was designed to be an athlete. you will never see one who is at it's proper weight have a "barrel" look to it. if it's not eating it's more than likely due to the stress of having a new home. surely the shelter checked the dog over....yes??/no?? has it had all it's shots and up to date on worming. if not do it promptly and as far as feeding goes. put the bowl down for 20 minutes......give the dog a chance to eat and pick it up. once in the morning....once at night. i assure you it will eat when it needs to barring a health problem. (like i said i'm assuming the shelter had it checked out)

take this advice, and by all means please continue to educate yourself on the "pit bull" type breeds. having multiple dogs in the house is a whole new ball game vs. just 1...which for the "new owner" is a challenge and a big responsibility to begin with. you should learn how to handle these dogs with more than one around and educate yourself on how to properly break up a fight should one occur. trust me, you will want to have the knowledge if it ever happens. for your sake and your dogs!

hope all this helps.

[Pitbull_Lover08]

Thanks for the advice on th food deal, I am just leaving it down and I don't do that with any of my other dogs so why should I for her? Good advice!!! Boogieman, not to sound rude but I do know ALL the percussions and I have been around the breed since I was born. The last pics don't look really bad but she IS showing ALOT of her ribs, her back bone is showing dramatically, her hip bones are clearly visible and her shoulder bones are sticking out just as bad (the pictures I placed are just MILD to what im seeing here in front of me), even the Rescue center said they would let her go to me if I put about 10-15 more pounds on her. I have her papers, she is double Reg. UKC & ADBA because the person that brought her into the rescue (she couldn't afford her anymore) I looked up the breeding on her and she is in fact suposted to be around 70 pounds according to her parents and grand parents. Want the parents names? Maybe even the grand parents names?

Some question again, I would LIKE more weight on her, how do I go about it? She is up to date on worming and shots

[chloesredboy]

What rescue is it where she's at?can you post the ped?

[Pitbull_Lover08]

The dog is AT my house I rescued her from a small licensed home based center named Last Chance Rescue. Linda Burris (the main lady) has only 7 dogs for rescue right now and she is fixing up a office in down town Wichita (not open JUST yet ) to excel her business. I know her though my mother they are good friends i guess. What does this have to do with my question though?

[chloesredboy]

Just curious because I live in Wichita and I dont know of any rescues that really take pit bulls.Most legit rescues dont just adopt out dogs Without searching for underlying medical causes as to why the dog might be underweight,and three days is not time enough to properly evaluate everything that needs evaluating before deciding if the dog is adoptable ,and if the dog is suitable for adoption ,what type of home it would do best in.And to be perfectly truthfull,you allready have two other pit bull type puppies,anyone running a legit operation would realize that two pups,other adult dogs and a new rescue dog is a bit much for anyone to handle regardless of how many years you've been around dogs.The dogs only been there three days?Surely there is more time to find her a home with someone who has less on their plate and might be able to offer her a home where she has time to aclimate herself to new surroundings rather than just being thrust into a pack where she will undoubtably be nervous and on edge untill the dominance issues are setteled between your dogs and all these new members,which with these dogs will not be pretty,but I'm sure I dont have to tell you that

[Madeleinemom]

Sometimes, pictures can be hard to interpret, and internet advice is yet another issue.

I would consult with your veterinarian re her weight.

Boogieman's suggestion to allow her limited access (some people even suggest less time, as in 10 minutes) to her food is a good idea.

And, as stated, new arrivals are often too nervous and unsettled to 'dig in' with gusto; I have seen this with each and every dog that spent time with us (we occasionally host overnight/weekend canine guests that are coming out of shelters and are going into rescue), and I also saw it with our foster, Trusty, who just nibbled on his food the first day or two.

If you and your vet decide that she needs to add weight, I would suggest raw fresh eggs, cottage cheese, cooked chicken with skin (NO bones).

As far as being a multiple dog household - forgive us, if we get concerned and voice our thoughts; the multi pet (especially Pit) home requires a lot of attention and caution.

It took us months to successfully integrate our three dogs (of which two are Pits), and the undivided attention of two mature adults.

[Pitbull_Lover08]

I rotate them, then have my friends over to walk them all together. Its working out pretty well. I NEVER leave them alone and supervise them on leashes when they are together. Nova thinks she is a momma to Jada, they are :crossfingers: lol

[Michele]

I agree with Boogieman but if you insist that the dog needs to gain weight do a "google" search for "satin balls".

[Pitbull_Lover08]

satin balls sound great! I think im going to make some later today and see if she will eat it. She is a picky eater but I don't think I will have much of a problem feeding it to her. Madeleinemom, I tried the raw eggs and cottage cheese but Nova still picked at it and kinda turned her nose up, so I took it away after about 15 mins. (If she don't eat it, how am i suposted to keep it fresh? Id hate to waste it... Id put it in the fridge but i dunno if that will do any good) oh by the way... the raw yoke and cottage cheese she did eat made her have UNBEARABLE farts!

Originally Posted by Pitbull_Lover08 Thanks for the advice on th food deal, I am just leaving it down and I don't do that with any of my other dogs so why should I for her? Good advice!!! Boogieman, not to sound rude but I do know ALL the percussions and I have been around the breed since I was born. The last pics don't look really bad but she IS showing ALOT of her ribs, her back bone is showing dramatically, her hip bones are clearly visible and her shoulder bones are sticking out just as bad (the pictures I placed are just MILD to what im seeing here in front of me), even the Rescue center said they would let her go to me if I put about 10-15 more pounds on her. I have her papers, she is double Reg. UKC & ADBA because the person that brought her into the rescue (she couldn't afford her anymore) I looked up the breeding on her and she is in fact suposted to be around 70 pounds according to her parents and grand parents. Want the parents names? Maybe even the grand parents names? Some question again, I would LIKE more weight on her, how do I go about it? She is up to date on worming and shots

Pitbull_lover08, not to sound rude but if you have been around these dogs all your life the questions you have been asking on this forum are pretty basic elementary info. you ask questions, yet you always seem to gracefully snub your nose at the answers you get. from what you've posted i highly doubt your are being honest and forthcoming with accurate info as to your experience level and knowledge of the breed. i haven't quite figured out what your goals are here, but you have been given great info and answers to your questions. not just by me either! the sad reality is you seem to want to portray yourself as "cool" with these dogs. not a good reason to own the breed. after much research i can't find a single bit of info on this rescue. it seems someone could teach them a little bit also. homing 3 pit bull type dogs to the same person in such a short period is very irresponsible IMO. i highly suggest you begin to open your eyes and learn something before it's too late. i believe in my heart you are an accident waiting to happen.

chew on that for a while.

oh and same answer........that dog don't need more weight on it.

[Galadriel]

Are you sure this dog is 11 WEEKS and not 11 MONTHS? 40 pounds at 11 weeks is a little absurd. My 6 month old is only 34 pounds, and she's expected to be 75-80 at maturity. That also doesn't look like the head of an 11 week old puppy. I'd be willing to bet she has her big girl teeth. I'd suggest getting her to a vet for a thorough exam.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Galadriel Are you sure this dog is 11 WEEKS and not 11 MONTHS? 40 pounds at 11 weeks is a little absurd. My 6 month old is only 34 pounds, and she's expected to be 75-80 at maturity. That also doesn't look like the head of an 11 week old puppy. I'd be willing to bet she has her big girl teeth. I'd suggest getting her to a vet for a thorough exam.

ditto to this. That dog looks older than 11 weeks.

Also, Nova may be playing "momma" now to Jada, but that might not last forever. I'm sure you are aware of this already.

[Vanella]

Originally Posted by Galadriel Are you sure this dog is 11 WEEKS and not 11 MONTHS? 40 pounds at 11 weeks is a little absurd. My 6 month old is only 34 pounds, and she's expected to be 75-80 at maturity. That also doesn't look like the head of an 11 week old puppy. I'd be willing to bet she has her big girl teeth. I'd suggest getting her to a vet for a thorough exam.

You took the words right outta my mouth. That dog is not 11 WEEKS old.....

Also I absolutely agree with Boogie.....from the pics you posted that dog is NOT underweight. I wouldn't be feeding her all sorts of extra stuff if I were you.

[buddysmom]

If anything, to me it does not look underweight at all but it does look possibly wormy.

[Pitbull_Lover08]

I don't know why everyone is jumping down my throat im just giving the facts you need without getting upset. Like I told you all before the pics of her ribs and back bones does NOT show up as well as an actual view of her. I'm not saying she is REALLY under weight or anything but she deffently could gain afew pounds and it wouldn't hurt her one darn bit. I don't get why you all are saying "not to be rude or anything BUT" and then you come in and say "but i believe you are an accident waiting to happen" That isn't fair to me, and neither is your judging my mother's friend (I don't know her that well, maybe shes a fake and shouldn't be having a Pit in the first place but her place is clean, well taken care of and I am GLAD I adopted Nova, no matter where I was to ADOPT her from) . How do you all think im NOT responsible? My dogs are all fine... I never have aggression problems or BIG problems that I havn't been able to fix or solve (with out without your help), they are always rotated or watched 24-7... im NOT an irresponsible owner and I have had these dogs all my life You all don't even give me a chance before you start jumping to conclusions. Its like its your MAIN goal to pick at people and thats not right, I have done nothing wrong but be concerned for my new dog. She has been wormed I was there when the VET did it (even tho I think they already wormed her) when he said she could gain some weight as well... (I went to the vet yesterday)

[Pitbull_Lover08]

Oh and if I said she was 11 weeks I didn't mean to... I ment to say 11 months... that was JUST a typo

[Galadriel]

No, 11 wekks is a typo. 11 months is a misstatement.
Please try not to be so defensive. These good folks are members of this forum because they love and respect the breed, and only want to help. 3 pit bull type dogs in the house is a lot for anyone to handle, to be sure. Some of the member have probably been keeping them as long as you've been alive, so please try to respect them for their history with and knowledge about this breed.
If you've had multiple mature dogs of the same sex, in the same house, without incident, you need to understand that's the exception, not the rule! For every one that isn't DA, there are 1000 that are. Also, at 11 months, she may not have turned on yet, but it's more likely than not she will. BUT THAT'S OK!! Just watch for the signs and take appropriate action to insure the safety of your dogs as well as yourself if/when it happens.
You may also want to think about staying away from this woman's house for a while. You seem to be very compassionate and eager to help...maybe too much for your own good and that of your dogs. Stick to the 3 for now

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Galadriel No, 11 wekks is a typo. 11 months is a misstatement. Please try not to be so defensive. These good folks are members of this forum because they love and respect the breed, and only want to help. 3 pit bull type dogs in the house is a lot for anyone to handle, to be sure. Some of the member have probably been keeping them as long as you've been alive, so please try to respect them for their history with and knowledge about this breed. If you've had multiple mature dogs of the same sex, in the same house, without incident, you need to understand that's the exception, not the rule! For every one that isn't DA, there are 1000 that are. Also, at 11 months, she may not have turned on yet, but it's more likely than not she will. BUT THAT'S OK!! Just watch for the signs and take appropriate action to insure the safety of your dogs as well as yourself if/when it happens. You may also want to think about staying away from this woman's house for a while. You seem to be very compassionate and eager to help...maybe too much for your own good and that of your dogs. Stick to the 3 for now

excellent post.

Also, no one is jumping down your throat. You asked a question and you are getting answers, very good answers, by the way. It's your choice whether or not you decide to take the advise or not. When it comes to this breed, you just can't take any chances with anything at all. As I stated above, Nova may be playing "momma" with Jada for now. Don't expect it to last. And just like you are stating a "fact", so am I and so is everyone in this thread.

Originally Posted by Pitbull_Lover08 I don't know why everyone is jumping down my throat im just giving the facts you need without getting upset. Like I told you all before the pics of her ribs and back bones does NOT show up as well as an actual view of her. I'm not saying she is REALLY under weight or anything but she deffently could gain afew pounds and it wouldn't hurt her one darn bit. I don't get why you all are saying "not to be rude or anything BUT" and then you come in and say "but i believe you are an accident waiting to happen" That isn't fair to me, and neither is your judging my mother's friend (I don't know her that well, maybe shes a fake and shouldn't be having a Pit in the first place but her place is clean, well taken care of and I am GLAD I adopted Nova, no matter where I was to ADOPT her from) . How do you all think im NOT responsible? My dogs are all fine... I never have aggression problems or BIG problems that I havn't been able to fix or solve (with out without your help), they are always rotated or watched 24-7... im NOT an irresponsible owner and I have had these dogs all my life You all don't even give me a chance before you start jumping to conclusions. Its like its your MAIN goal to pick at people and thats not right, I have done nothing wrong but be concerned for my new dog. She has been wormed I was there when the VET did it (even tho I think they already wormed her) when he said she could gain some weight as well... (I went to the vet yesterday)

nobody jumped down your throat. quit playing the drama queen. like i said i'm responding to the facts presented. if you think this lady is being responsible homing 3 pit bull type dogs to you in a matter of a couple weeks you are sadly mistaken. VERY VERY VERY BAD IDEA! I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE! 3 days and this dog is out the door. yeah! you always seem to have an in your face answer to no matter what anybody responds to you. first it was the "how do i register my dog" thread. "it's purebred".....obviously you know little to nothing as that statement right there is ridiculous. YOU HAVE NO PEDIGREE! HOW CAN YOU HAVE ANY IDEA IT'S HERITAGE....OH YEAH YOU CAN'T! sit outside walmart with your dog???? that is hardly educating anyone on bsl. miakoda gave you GREAT IDEAS on how to do so. oh but you can't sit there with your dog and look cool that way. you say you adopted a 10 week old puppy in the "very shy new puppy" thread and then say in the next sentence you have 2 other males.....so now you got 4 dogs in the house. like i said not a good idea. too many new dogs trying to figure out who is who and in what order. you say you take your dog into petco lunging, pulling, and jumping....you have no idea what to do.....yet you've been around these dogs all your life once again. dogs eating food fast....omg....how common is this problem and you have never seen it even though....yeah....you've been around these dogs all your life again. now this. you ask about the weight....plenty of people comment saying it's not too thin.....now all of a sudden..."the vet said it could use some weight too". well if you and your vet agree why come in here and ask? just to argue with people who say it looks fine?

look as i said nobody jumped down your throat so buck up and quit your whining. you don't have to "pretend" here. we'll give you advice no problem. to portray yourself as something you're not is simply something nobody has time for. if you now have 4 dogs in your house as i told you before, be prepared. if you're not the day WILL come when you regret it.