Some dogs naturally run lean, while others may struggle to keep weight on due to their energy levels, eating habits, or health history. Whatever the reason, making sure they’re getting the right nutrition, and enough of it can make all the difference to their health and happiness.
Why dogs can be on the slimmer side
There are a few reasons why some pups need extra help to maintain or gain weight:
High energy breeds – Dogs with higher activity levels such as our more athletic or working breeds will naturally burn more calories so sometimes need more calories to support their active lifestyles.
Fussy pups – Picky eaters may not be eating enough of their meals which can lead to some weight loss.
Anxiety - Just like us, some dogs can lose their appetite or burn more energy when they’re feeling worried or unsettled.
Underlying health issues If your dog has lost weight suddenly, it’s always best to check in with your vet for support.
How Butternut Box can help
At Butternut, every meal plan is tailored to your pup’s needs. Our nutritional calculator considers their age, weight, activity level, and body condition to create a personalised portion size just for them.
Even with our carefully calculated feeding guidelines, every dog is unique. Metabolism can play a big part and some dogs burn energy faster than others, which means portions might need a little tweaking to help them reach or maintain their ideal weight.
Here’s what makes our meals especially supportive for leaner pups:
Highly digestible recipes – Our meals are gently cooked, so nutrients are easier to absorb. Our in-house vet even carried out a digestibility study to put this to the test and the results were fantastic. If you’d like to dive into the details, you can find more on our Research Hub here.
High-quality proteins
Richer options
Richer Options for Weight Gain
If your pooch needs to gain a bit of weight, we’ve got some great recipes to help:
Beef It Up
Wham Bam Lamb
Pork This Way
Salmon To Love
Duo of Duck and Chicken
Pork Of The Town (contains the ancient grain pearl barley)
Plus, we have some super treat options too such as our Turkey Tenders which contain 54 calories per tender.
(Heads up: if your pup has a sensitive tummy, our richer meals might not be the best fit. Don’t worry though, our team is always on hand to chat through options and help find what works best for them.)
Tips for feeding leaner pups
Tailored portions – We can adjust your dog’s plan if they need more calories.
Include our richer meals – Swapping in richer recipes can give them an extra boost of calories.
Keep an eye on their body condition – You should be able to feel ribs without them being too visible.
Helping your dog find their happy, healthy weight can take a bit of tweaking, but you’re not on your own. Our Customer Love team and in-house Vet Nurses are always on hand to offer support.