GOLDENS DIET

Question
HI, I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD FEMALE GOLDEN RETRIEVER WHO SEEMS THIN TO ME..SHE WIEGHS ONLY 50 POUNDS. YOU CANT SEE HER BONES BUT SHE IS THIN. SHE DOESNT GET TOO MUCH EXERSISE AND ISNT MAJORILY ACTIVE. MY VET SAYS SHE IS JUST PETITE FOR HER BREED AND THAT SHE IS IN PERFECT HEALTH.SHE WILL ONLY EAT MAYBE ONCE A DAY ABOUT 1-2 CUPS. I MIX IAMS WITH PEDIGREE CAN FOOD.IVE TRIED SUPPLEMENTS TO MAKE HER HUNGRY BUT IT HASNT WORKED. I WOULD LIKE HER TO BE AT LEAST 60 POUNDS. SHE HAS ONLY GAINED 1 POUND SINCE APRIL.I JUST BRED HER 3 WEEKS AGO..DONT KNOW IF SHE IS PG YET BUT NOW IM AFFRAID SHE WILL LOOSE MORE WIEGHT WITH THE PUPS NURSING. WHAT CAN I DO IF SHE WONT EAT? I DONT WANT HER TO LOOK OR BE MALNURISHED DURING FEEDING OF HER PUPS. ANY ADVICE? HOW DO I INCREASE CALORIE INTAKE DURING THE LAST TRIMESTER IF SHE WONT EAT?

Answer
Hi there:  Your vet is correct, she is probably just petite.  You cannot make her eat either.  As her pups nurse, she will eat what is necessary to keep her and them alive.  You could try Lamb and Rice formula kibble and canned food.  The rice sometimes can add weight.  Ask your vet if there is a vitamin suppliment you can give her during pregnancy and nursing, just in case. She will start to become more hungry is she is with pups, so just leave food out for her. But after she's done with her pups, which you should wean them from her at 4 weeks, I wouldn't worry too much about her.  Some goldens are just fine at 50#.  She will eat when she's hungry.   Some goldens need to be at a low weight, maybe her hips aren't as strong and if she puts on too much weight, it hurts her.  Have you had her hips tested before you bred her?  Is she OFA certified?  Sometimes it's just not a good idea to have them weight 60#.  That might just be too much weight for her.  Good Luck.  Try the lamb and rice diet ;)