In case you don't know, BenBen is receiving chemo for lymphoma. He had always been a "skinny dude." He has lost some weight and vet would like to have him gain 2 or 3 pounds. He is currently 50 lbs. Normal weight would be 55 lbs. The dogs eat 2x a day and I am thinking along the line of boiling chicken and feeding it at a 3rd feeling for him - will not go well with the other 3!! I know we have some experienced dog owners on this forum who have dealt with both chemo and weight loss. I am open to suggestions! He is doing pretty good and seems to feel well most of the time. Barb and the 4 chocolates

Other than chicken (which I don't think is a bad idea), if he eats his regular food well you could just try adding a third meal of that. That's what I've always done with my young, active dogs who needed to put on weight. Or maybe try puppy food, which is probably higher calorie than his regular food?

Pound for pound, fat has more calories than any other food source. There is no reason to limit this (other than GI issues with too high a fat diet). I wouldn't boil any meat you add to the diet as that tends to remove the fat and some of the nutrients - dumped out with the water. If you choose chicken, just oven roast it and add back the cooked out fat (most dogs love this and if no GI issues is a good source of calories.)There are some that promote a low (no carb) diet when treating various cancers. It's very hard to keep weight on with this diet, but something to consider.BTW, coming in the next several months, pet foods will have calorie content added to the labels. Good thing if you can calculate serving size :BDoug, DVM

I've heard of many show people, using something called "Satin Balls" to put weight on dogs. I did a quick google search and this came up.Don't know if it's something you might want to try - might want to run it by the vet first.Satin BallsorHolistic Dog

When Bella dropped weight we gave her coconut milk/cream, sweet potatoes. When she was really sick I would make mashed potatoes with white potato, the coconut milk, butter and sweet potato ... she would always take some of that for me no matter how sore her throat was from the esophagitis.. The coconut milk will list the caloric value on the label..You will find it in any large supermarket with an Asian food section. I also made her knox bloxs with the coconut milk, water and unflavoured gelatin to keep her hydrated...she actually wasn't wild about the knox bloxs but my other two loved to get whatever she would not take .

I went with a very low carb, higher protein & fat diet with Loppy when we were battling his oral melanoma. He had to eat soft foods so I pureed baked chicken or boiled some dark meat chicken or higher fat ground beef in a bit of water and added just a little of natural (not instant) brown rice to soak up the water and then chopped that up for him. Brown rice is a complex carb and in small amounts it was fine to feed him according to our holistic vet. She helped me gain more than twice the time they said he would "survive" so I trusted her suggestions. He actually thrived until those last few days....Looking at him you would hardly notice that he was in the battle of his life. He only weighed four pounds less the day we said "farewell" than he did the day he had the oral surgery to remove as much of that nasty cancer as we could without debilitating him. Of course, my disclaimer is that with his type of cancer chemo wasn't part of the protocol. What I am trying to say is a high protein & fat diet can help sustain them when they are fighting the good fight. My thoughts are with you and BenBen... keep him well fed, well loved, and well hydrated.... I know you will.

BenBen has gained weight. New picture at end post

chele
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
Looking good! Spoiled? But of course, don't we owe them that?
Code2High
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
Where is his PILLOW?????????
CatandJim
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Looking good!! :)
xteacher
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Ben looks very comfy! :-)
nabi
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
BenBen looks very comfy....hope the CPap is not for him ( smile )
AZPops
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
BenBen's looking great!

Pops
sher9570
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
Keep those cheeseburgers coming....BenBen looks great!
Lucy loves the head of the bed once Doug gets up otherwise she has to settle
for the bottom.
BenBen looks good and so very Happy which makes my heart smile!

Sher
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2013
That is a happy-looking boy!!! And I'd never say anything about the bed - if Ike had been able to jump on the bed in his last years - I'd have gladly let him sleep anywhere he wanted.
kokosfriend
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
OOPS! Photo a little big!

Barb and the 4 chocolates
kokosfriend
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
BenBen is ready for bed with his favorite blanket. Yes, he sleeps at the head of the bed! Not spoiled though :B He now has gained 4 pounds since the beginning.