Underweight lab mix

Question
QUESTION: I'm taking in a foster tomorrow that is about 4 years old,  underweight (40 lbs.) and has heartworms. I want to make sure I have the best food to help him gain weight so he can get health. My lab/coonhound mix eats Purina ONE or Purina ProPlan adult dog food. I also have a small bag of Purina ONE puppy food from the last foster we had in our home. What would be the best thing to feed our little guest?

ANSWER: Puppy chows are usually higher calorie than adult chows.  Since you have some on hand, I would go ahead and use it up on the underweight dog.  Usually it is no problem getting a Lab to eat enough to reach ideal body condition.  As you run low, mix in a little of the Purina 1 or Pro Plan until after a week, it is all the new.  I don't know if you need help judging a dog's body condition, but here is a link to a great system, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx

Your dogs might do better if you choose either the Purina or Pro Plan and stuck to it.  I see thousands of dogs eating Pro Plan, and they are doing great.  I also have good reports from those feeding Purina 1.  The closest to a problem with it would be the larger softer stools, perhaps not a problem if your dogs aren't out in public much.  Dogs do better on the same diet, just stick to one.

Your question is a pleasant change from the daily barrage of ones from the totally clueless about the care of intact dogs and those needing help with their backyard breeding.  Knowing about the problems of pet over population tears my heart out.  I do everything I can here and elsewhere to encourage spay/neutering and discourage irresponsible breeding.  It isn't always popular.  I will be happy to do anything I can to help somebody that fosters rescues.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much. Any thoughts on canned food? I don't usually feed it to my dog, but wondered if it's got a higher caloric content? I bought a couple of cans of chicken and beef, but just wondered if it's really any more helpful than the puppy food?

Answer
I have nothing good to say about feeding canned food.  With its high water content, it may not be that much more higher calorie.  With most Labs, there is no problem getting them to eat all they need.  I was once given a 7 month lab whose ribs were showing.  I had no problem getting Peggy to eat 7 cups a day of Pro Plan.  I am sure she would have eaten more.  In a month or 2, she was filled out nicely and I cut back.  I am not sure too rapid weight gain is good.  

I did have one Lab that wouldn't eat enough of the regular Purina adult chow.  I switched him to a concentrated chow similar to Pro Plan.