Contents:
- Is My English Bulldog Skinny?
- Common Signs That Your English Bulldog Is Too Skinny
- Why Is My English Bulldog Thin?
- What Age Is Your English Bulldog?
- Getting Your English Bulldog To A Healthy Weight
Is my English bulldog skinny? Getting the right answer to this question can not only help you decide whether you may be underfeeding your dog; it should also give you a better idea if you should get your English bulldog seen too by a veterinarian.
Below we will cover how to tell if your English bulldog is too skinny, including what could be causing them to lose weight and what it could mean for their overall health.
Is My English Bulldog Skinny?
Lots of dog owners can find it tough judging a healthy weight for their bulldog. One of the biggest reasons for this is the prevalence of dog obesity, which leads many dog owners to view overweight dogs as being at a “healthy” weight. Therefore, English bulldog owners may perceive their dog that’s a healthy weight as too thin, which may lead to overfeeding.
Common Signs That Your English Bulldog Is Too Skinny
If you think that your English bulldog could be too skinny, then here are some signs to look out for:
Ribs: If your English bulldog’s ribs are clearly visible or feel like they lie just beneath the skin, with no fat layer in between, then they could be underweight.
Hip Bones: The shoulder bones and spinal cord shouldn’t be easy to feel beneath the skin.
Tail: The bones around the base of the tail shouldn’t be seen.
Hips: The curve that’s between the ribs and hips may look extreme when viewed from above.
Spine: The spine and ribs shouldn’t be plainly visible when viewed from above.
Why Is My English Bulldog Thin?
If you believe your English bulldog is too thin, then the first thing you should do is to consult your vet. A vet will assess your dog’s body condition and be able to either confirm your suspicions or hopefully put your mind at ease. If your dog is underweight, it may be a sign of a larger health problem that will need to be addressed. Other than starvation or improper care, here are the most common reasons a dog may be underweight.
Poor Nutrition
If your bulldog is too skinny, the first thing that should be reviewed is if you’re feeding them properly. It’s important to know that not all dog foods are created equal in terms of nutritional value and calories. As different manufacturers and brands could have varying nutritional values. Typically, one cup of dry dog food can contain anywhere from around 200-600 calories. So, although you may think one cup a day is plenty for your dog, it could be possible the food isn’t meeting their daily calorie needs.
Not all commercial dog foods use proper balanced or good quality ingredients which don’t provide your dog with adequate nutrition. If you’re unsure about the dog food brand that you have been using, ask your veterinarian for their recommendation and if there’s a better, high-quality dog food alternative, and make sure to check the number of calories per cup to be sure you’re giving your English bulldog the correct amount for their size and activity level. If you’re unsure, ask your vet if you’re not sure how many calories your dog should be getting every day.
Underlying Health Conditions
A bulldog that’s underweight could also be a signal of an underlying illness, especially if the weight loss is sudden. A number of health issues may cause weight loss in dogs, ranging anything from tooth pain to gastrointestinal discomfort to more serious conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease or cancer. Your vet will conduct a thorough exam, along with a urinalysis and bloodwork, which will help a vet to rule out any health conditions.
What Age Is Your English Bulldog?
It’s common for some older dogs to lose some weight as they age, which could be because of factors like reduced appetite, loss of muscle mass or digestive problems — all of which are common among ageing dogs of all breeds. It would be a good idea to talk to your vet about possibly switching your dog’s food to something more age-appropriate and easier to digest.
Getting Your English Bulldog To A Healthy Weight
If your English bulldog has any underlying illnesses, getting proper treatment could help to get them to a healthy weight. Depending on your dog’s condition and your vet’s treatment plan, this may include switching the dog food to a therapeutic formula. Your vet can give you guidance on how much your dog should be fed every day to help them achieve a healthy weight.
If your English bulldog is otherwise healthy, adjusting their daily meal plan to ensure they’re getting the proper amount of calories and balanced nutrition should be enough to gradually restore them to a healthy weight.
