Neglected Dog.

[derrynoose]

How should I begin to feed a Doberman pup approx. 9 months old who has been badly neglected. I will be collecting him from our local Council Pound tomorrow. He has been very poorly fed - His ribs and hipbones are very prominent. That aside, he is in good spirits and I am happy to offer him a home!

[Diamond Life]

Hello Derrynoose.
Although Dobermans are quite slimline dogs it sounds as if he needs feeding up. when I adopted my yorkshire terrier she was bony so as well as her buscuit feed and water I started to give her Caesar and she thought that was wonderful - having not had it befor and she has mixed meat and veg from the table on Sundays with gravy. I am sure your new buddy will give you loads of love and pleasure like my little "Missy" thats her name.
Diamond Life . .( On Sun don't forget the yorkshire Pudd)

[lankeela]

I'd feed several small meals a day of a very good quality complete dog food, with tripe added to it to help put on weight. Goats milk is good too if you can get it, also milk powder sprinkled on the food in small quantities. Cooked rice is also easy to digest if he has tummy problems.

When I had boarding kennels, whenever we had a Dobe come in we automatically upped the feeds to two or three a day, as the weight drops off them as you look at them., and they looked dreadful when the owners came to pick them up if we did not supplement the feeds.

Also rescued Dobes take a long time to adjust, its strange but it seems they would rather stay with someone who is illtreating them than change homes/owners.

Well done you for taking him on and good luck.

[divegirl]

Hi, well done you for giving this boy a forever home! I would echo what Lankeela says...little and often. You could have a go at making these recepies and using them as treats and food supplements......

This recipe is entended to be fed raw.

10 lb hamburger meat
1 jar wheat germ
1 lg box of oatmeal (uncooked)
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
10 eggs
10 sm pkgs unflavoured gelatin
1 1/4 cup unflavoured molasses ( black treacle )
A pinch of salt
1 lg box Total cereal (2lb's)[cornflakes]
(You may also add a pinch of garlic powder to add flavour)

Mix all ingredients together well, much like a meatloaf.
...put into separate freezer bags and freeze, thawing out as needed.
It puts weight on in a very short time, not to mention the gloss in their coat.
You can use it every day when they have a show to do and it does not produce diarrhoea.
It can be fed alone or with kibble.

or

1 lb ground beef
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 jar all natural peanut butter
1 jar (smaller of the sizes) wheat germ
1 doz egg yolks
1 cup or so of flaked oats soaked in heavy cream

Mix up, form balls, freeze, feed as treats or food supplement

Good luck

Lisa x

[eyeshade]

good advice from Lankeela, good luck with your new doggie who deserves lots of love. x