Why is my dog skinny despite eating human food and disliking kibble?

If you lightly run your hand along his chest you should feel his ribs without poking, however you should not see his ribs. Unfortunately Goldendoodles have the famous labrador-I-eat-anything-that-looks-like -food-gene and that makes him hungry all the time. Here is a body condition score chart that should help you determine if your dog is too thin: http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Body%20condition%20score%20chart%20dogs.pdf If you are still not sure, take your dog to the vet and ask one of the techs or the vet about his body condition.

If her ribs are really sticking out and there is no fat or muscle, then see your vet. There could be a medical cause for her condition. If your vet clears her, increase the amount of food offered until she is at an appropriate weight. Ask your vet how to perform a Body Condition Score (BCS) on your dog using the 9 point scale. Ideally, she should have a waist when looked at from above. Her ribs should be seen and easily felt under a layer of fat/muscle. From the side, her chest should tuck up into her abdomen.

It could just be that you startled him while he was drinking which is why he tensed up. If you are concerned about his weight, having your vet take a look and perform a body condition score can let you know if he needs to gain some more or if he's good. Dogs should be lean, with a tuck to their waist and ribs visible but not bony. (A BCS of 3/5 or 5/9 depending on the scale is usually around ideal.)

I recommend googling Purina body condition scoring chart and determining if the the degree to which you can see and feel her ribs is consistent with the lower body condition scores. If so, increasing her daily food ration slightly and re-assessing her body condition score in 2-4 weeks is advised. Good luck!

Giving Blue handfuls of food may not be giving him enough food. I would read the daily requirements of food on his food bag label and divide it into two equal portions. Intestinal worms can cause a dog to be very hungry and skinny, so I would have him seen by a vet to check to see if he does have intestinal worms. The vet can give him a deworming treatment if he does.

Dogs can get thin as they get senior or geriatric. I recommend giving a good quality senior diet and you may try adding in another small meal during the day or before bed. Giving additional healthy dog treats will increase the calories he’s eating to prevent continued weight loss. If he starts not eating well, or the weight loss continues I do recommend a veterinary exam and tests to determine the reason so you can start any treatment if needed before he gets too debilitated. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Oban.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Being lean is not always a concern. A good body condition is based on muscle mass and palpation of the body, not a number on a scale. You should be able to feel her ribs while standing without pushing hard and she should have an hour glass waist from the sides and top of her body. She should also have good muscle definition in her chest and limbs. Make sure you are feeding what the bag of food says for her daily amount based on her weight. Make sure your vet tests for intestinal parasites so they are not consuming her calories. I hope this helps! Kisses to Soska!