Weight

sachismom

HI all, you have been such a great resource, I so appreciate it. Sachi is now almost 9 months (her DOB is June 23, 2011). She had been gaining weight rather quickly, but has recently leveled off right near 70 lbs. She has a super sensitive stomach and is not really food/treat driven. I have found a mix of high quality food that she will both eat and that doesn't give her diarrhea. I supplement it a couple of times a week with a can of tuna, that encourages her to eat more. We hike, snow shoe, walk, off leash dog park, etc every day. So she is getting a lot of exercise. Her mom weighs 106 and her dad is 118. Should I be concerned? Is it likely she may just be smaller? Her height is about 24" at the withers, so that seems normal. She has thick bones and doesn't look too skinny in the ribs? I don't know, should I just wait and see? Or should I add some wet food to her diet? Ideas? Thoughts? Advice?

sachismom

*JackBurton*

When you rub your hands down her sides can your feel ribs?

sachismom

No, I can't.....I mean not through all the fur, unless I dig in?

sachismom

sachismom

I have no idea how I just accidentally posted a whole Sachi slide show. These pics are from August to last week. I am really not good with technology. I meant to try to show JackBurton a better view of her currect size. oops.

*JackBurton*

IDK know either but I like it. If you cannot feel bone, ie ribs etc then I wouldn't worry about weight or anything right now. Just keep her on good diet of quality food and see what happens. She doesn't look underfed or unhealthy to me at all.

sachismom

Thanks, your opinion really matters.

jellyfish

Another thing to consider: Akitas also fill out after year one, so she will gain more weight... but I don't know how much more. I haven't experienced that part yet. I got a 7mo old JA, so I'm learning as I go too.

lwroth

Sean, just curious why you think feeling ribs is not a good thing. To me, a lot of the American Akita show dogs look fat.

*JackBurton*

Well for one we are talking about a nine month old dog. In my head it is better to keep a puppy well fed as opposed to not. You can always lean a dog out later. Now mind you I have very little experience with American Akitas but if you feel the side of the dog and it is easy to feel ribs that should be a sign that the dog is under weight. I'm not saying the you shouldn't feel ribs at all just enough so that it takes some pressure to feel them. I hope that explains what I'm looking for.

lwroth

Yes, that makes sense, keeping a puppy well fed. I can feel my dog's ribs with very minimal pressure but he doesn't seem underweight or unhealthily thin.