Expert: Jannie Balliett - 6/24/2010

Question
It seems that in the summer months my boxer loses weight and looks skinny - more than 2 to 3 ribs showing! Is this a normal thing for them? He goes to the vet for his reg. check ups and the vet has not said that anything about his gain and lose during the summer.  Thanks for any help!

Answer
No, not necessarily normal, however, everyone, including animals do loose weight when it is hot- eating less.

Your vet should have mentioned the ribs showing- this is a bad sign of being unhealthy. No animal, including dogs, should have rib or hip bones showing.

I suggest beefing up his diet during the summer and see if it improves his weight.

A higher protein diet- ask the vet, or research the Internet pet prescription/pet stores for a "high caloric supplement" such as a high calorie cream that is flavored, to give him daily. It is used for under weight pets, used for ill pets that have lost weight due to illness or surgery, etc.

Also, add plain, whole, unflavored yogurt to his dog food daily. A store generic brand is okay. No flavor(s)- just plain yogurt. This aids his digestion and stimulates his appetite.

Also, a dog food gravy additive that you can buy in a jar, usually carried in the pet section of your grocers, to add to his dry food. It will stimulate his appetite too. Also, try mixing a wet dog food in with his dry to help entice him and stimulate his appetite too.

Try these tricks for a month and see if his ribs don't fill out nicely then. If not, ask your vet to check him for a thyroid condition, worms, etc.