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
Chicken with Salmon
Pork Of The Town (contains the ancient grain pearl barley)
Plus, we have some super treat options too such as our Meaty 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.
Transitioning your Lean or Underweight dog onto Butternut
If your pooch is on the skinny side, don't worry we have it covered. Our "nutritional calculator" uses scientific data and veterinary expertise to account for your dog’s age, breed, and activity level, even adjusting for treats to calculate their needs to the closest 50 calories.
To ensure your dog gains weight healthily without upsetting their tummy, follow this simple step-by-step guide:
Step 1:
Start by feeding a very small amount of Butternut (just a teaspoon) mixed in with their current food. This allows their digestive system to get used to the fresh ingredients.
Step 2:
Slowly increase the amount of Butternut each day while reducing their old food.
Top Tip: If you notice any runny poops, it’s a sign to take things a little slower. It is perfectly fine to go at your own pace some dogs take a week or more to move over completely.
Step 3:
Continue swapping out the old food until your dog is happily eating their full, tailored daily portion of Butternut Box.
Step 4:
Once your dog is fully transitioned, you can move them onto our richer recipes (Beef, Lamb, Pork, Salmon, Chicken with Salmon or Duck & Chicken) to help with weight gain.
For Sensitive Tummies: It’s worth noting that some dogs with sensitive stomachs may not suit these richer, higher calorie meals. If you'd like to try them, we recommend transitioning onto these recipes one at a time over a period of 10 - 14 days to make digestion as easy as possible for their gut.
Need extra advice?
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.