My dogs are fed well and exercised daily. Because of this and due to their breed, they are lean and athletic looking dogs. Sometimes, however, when they have extra “load” on their bodies, like strenuous exercise or changes in weather conditions, they can lose condition and become too lean.

With summer well and truly here in Brisbane, my boy has lost a little weight with the hot weather.

So I need to build him up again and put a little weight on him. My “go to“ solution for quickly and easily putting on weight for my dogs is chicken frames or carcasses.

Here is why I really like chicken frames.

1. Availability

Chicken frames are readily available. You can buy chicken frames at supermarkets, butchers and specialist chicken retailers. When you next buy chicken for yourself, buy a whole chook and keep the carcass for the dog.

I buy in bulk and freeze one meal of frames (for me that is two frames – one per dog). In the morning, I defrost for the evening meal. Easy.

2. Nutrients

Chicken frames are just about a complete food for dogs which is why they are so easy to use for weight gain because you don’t have to add multiple ingredients to maintain nutrient balance.

In terms of energy, chicken frames contain a good amount of protein and fat. The bones contains all the essential amino acids except methionine which is found in the meat attached to the carcass.

The fat attached to the carcass contains fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E and chicken is excellent source of essential fatty acids.

A raw meaty bone, like a chicken frame also offers the correct balance of calcium and phosphorous for all dogs including growing puppies.

As my dogs are considered “senior”, I like to support and protect their joints wherever possible including their diet. For me, an extra benefit of chicken frames is the keel or sternum of the chicken which remains after the breast cuts have been removed. This section of the chicken is comprised of cartilage which is an excellent source of chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate acts as a component of proteoglycans which are proteins that occur in connective tissue and are responsible for the structural integrity and resiliency of cartilage.

Sometimes you can be fortunate enough for some organ meat to still be attached to the frame. Organs provide a really concentrated source of protein, vitamins especially B complex, and minerals such as iron, manganese, selenium and zinc.

3. Suitable for all dogs (and cats)

Chicken frames are suitable for all dogs and cats regardless of their stage of life. For animals that have never eaten meaty bones previously, you can easily crush chicken frames into manageable size pieces by chopping them with a cleaver or large knife. You can also buy minced chicken frames that can be mixed with your dog’s vegetables.

For older dogs and puppies, you can chop chicken frames in halves or four pieces so they are a little more manageable.

For dogs that don’t eat bones regularly, introduce bones in small quantities so you don’t cause any stomach upsets. Dogs that are not accustomed to eating bones need to gradually increase the acidity in their stomach so they can consume bone safely. For more information please see: http://www.vetsallnatural.com.au/digesting-bones-gastric-acidity-salmonella/

How do I use chicken frames?

For weight gain in my dogs, I simply add a chicken frame to each meal. I don’t change the diet in any way otherwise, I just add the chicken frame. I use chicken frames as part of the raw meaty bone portion of my dogs’ normal diet, so for some meals, the dogs get two chicken frames.

When the dogs have gained sufficient weight and I am happy with their condition, I stop adding the chicken frame as an extra portion.

Because chicken frames contain the correct balance of amino acids and minerals, I don’t worry about needing to balance the dogs’ diet with extra ingredient when putting weight on them.

For assistance with weight loss and gain in your dog, please free to contact me at jlconlon@fullstride.com.au. for a personalised diet and exercise plan. You can also follow me on Facebook to regular notification of blogs and other interesting articles.

Until next time, enjoy your dogs.

Sources:

Billinghurst, I (1993), Give your dog a bone:the practical common sense way to feed dogs for a long and healthy life, Warrigal Publishing, Bathurst NSW.

Luo, X,M, Fosmire, G.J, Leach, R.M 2002, “Chicken keel cartilage as a source of chondroitin sulfate” Poultry Science, 81:1086 – 1089

Vets All Natural website – http://www.vetsallnatural.com.au/