8 month old boxers

Question
I have two beauiful boxer pups. They are my pride and joy. I have taken my babies to the vet and she says that they are both fine. MY question to you is I am worried that my female may be a little under weight. She weights 40 pounds and is 19 inches tall but I can see her hip bones and this worries me. My male is very stocky and does not have this. I feed them the same way. I am wondering if there is another sort of food that I can give her that will help her gain a couple of extra pounds. I also have a 7 year old female Boxer that is a little over weight. By chance do you have any ideas on what I can do to help her lose a little weight. She has bad hips so running and jumping are not something that she can do easily.

Thank you Very Much for your time and consideration in this matter.
Christina

Answer
Hi Christina,

Sorry about the delay in my answer.  You sent in your question just as I was heading to work :)

Firstly, your pups are too young for you to be worried about a bit of boniness.  ;)  Boxers grow UP the first 12 months and OUT the second 12 months.  If the vet says they're fine, they're fine.  If, in about 7 or 8 months time, she's still looking hippy, you may want to think about upping her food intake.  For now, leave it alone.  

In this country we tend to think that a fatter dog is healthier, when, in fact, it's just the opposite.  An extra 5 lbs. is like an extra 20 lbs. on you.

As far as your older female goes...cut her food back by 1/3 cup.  Look on the back of the bag and find the recommended amount per day (hopefully this is what you're already feeding).  Cut this amount back by 1/3.  So...if she's eating 3 cups a day, you'd give her 2 cups.  Weigh her today (weigh yourself, get off the scale, hoist her up and get on the scale with her...subtract your weight alone from the weight you get holding her)...give it a month and weigh her again.  If she's lost weight, you're on the right track.  If she's not, cut her food back another 1/4 cup...wait another month.

You may also think about having her thyroid tested.  Boxers, as a breed, are very sensitive to minor changes in thyroid production.  Where the levels can be off in say, a Golden Retriever, and you'd see no ill effects, the same results could produce effects in a Boxer.  A blood panel is relatively low-cost...about $50-$100 depending on your vet.

Some symptoms of a thyroid condition are dry skin, weight gain, lower activity levels.  You could see all or just one symptom.  I would suggest doing this before you put her on any type of diet due to her age.

When you're sure that she has no medical reasons for being a bit hefty, you can start the diet.  If you aren't comfortable putting her on a diet, you could try switching her to a senior or less-active formula of dog food.

A glucosamine supplement would also be a good idea for her (and her hips).

Hope this helps!  If you have more questions, be sure to ask!