Dogs and cats become underweight when more calories are consumed than are taken in over a long period of time. A common reason for underweight dogs and cats is therefore diet. However, there are numerous illnesses that can also lead to severe weight loss. It is therefore important to visit a veterinarian if your four-legged friend is underweight, as this can rule out illnesses such as thyroid dysfunction. If no illness is detected in your dog or cat despite being underweight, you can focus on their diet. Are you giving your pet enough BARF meat ? Is the BARF dog food or cat food you have chosen really balanced? Use our BARF calculator to ensure balanced feeding. Often it is enough to increase the total food ration or increase the fat content in the BARF - udder, for example, is suitable for the latter.
Dogs tend to be underweight, especially during the growth phase. In these cases, you can rest assured that weight and growth must first settle down during this time. You should pay particular attention if you can clearly see the ribs of your adult pet or can clearly feel the humps of the pelvis. This is often a sign that dogs and cats are underweight, although the different breeds naturally have different body types. For a greyhound, for example, visible ribs are relatively normal.
