Why Is My Cockapoo So Skinny?

Owning a dog can be a lot of hard work and worry, especially if there are any signs of trouble. One problem that many new cockapoo owners worry about is their cockapoo being too skinny. There could be a lot of reasons for your puppy being skinny, though, and not all of them are bad.

In our experience with our cockapoo, Luna, she was skinny right up until she was about 18 months old, and then she started to fill out more. So, you could have nothing to worry about if your cockapoo is skinny right now. However, to give you some help or, at the very least, put your mind at ease, we will look at several often-asked questions regarding cockapoo weight.

• What is the ideal weight for a cockapoo?
• Should you be able to feel a cockapoo’s ribs?
• How do I fatten up my cockapoo?
• What are the potential causes of sudden weight loss in cockapoos?

What is the Ideal Weight for a Cockapoo?

To find the right answer to this question, you need to know what type of cockapoo you have. Four size categories of cockapoos are Teacup, Toy, Miniature and Standard. As cockapoo is a cross-breeder, not a pedigree, there is no size standard. However, there is a general size that cockapoos in each category should meet.

• Teacup Cockapoos – these generally have a height of less than 10-inches and a weight of less than 6-pounds
• Toy Cockapoos – these cockapoos usually have a height between 9 and 10-inches and a maximum weight of 12-pounds
• Miniature Cockapoos – miniature varieties of the breed have a height between 11 and 14 inches and a weight between 13 and 18 inches.
• Standard Cockapoos – standard breed varieties can reach a height of 15 and 18 inches with a maximum weight of 19 pounds.

Depending on what size category your cockapoo falls into, if they are smaller and weigh less than the cited numbers, it could be a sign of a problem. Particularly if they are fully grown.

Should You Be Able to Feel Cockapoos Ribs?

Whereas in humans, it is seen as bad if you can feel your ribs and likely a sign that you are not eating enough or are sick, things are different for dogs. Contrary to a popularly held misconception, feeling a cockapoo’s ribs and vertebrae is perfectly natural and healthy, which is less natural and more of an issue when you cannot feel any padding.

How Do I Fatten Up My Cockapoo?

This depends on why they are skinny. If you feel they are not getting the right amount of fat and protein in their diet, it may be time to change their food. If you feel you exercise them too much, you should consider cutting down the length and frequency you take them out during the day. The best idea would be to make an appointment with your vet, who can look at your dog, examine them, weigh them and run other tests before offering recommendations about what you can do.

Causes for Sudden Weight Loss in Cockapoos

Often, weight loss is not noticeable until a long time has passed. Sometimes, cockapoos, like other breeds of dogs, will lose a lot of weight in a short time. If this is what has happened with your dog, it may be that one of the issues highlighted below is the root cause.

• Dental Problems – When a cockapoo has a dental abscess, it makes eating uncomfortable and even painful. If you notice your dog is not eating as much or has lost a lot of weight and there are other signs that their mouth is the issue, you will need to take them along to your vet, who will be able to give the dog antibiotics and determine if there are any teeth that need to be extracted.
• Liver Disease – your cockapoo’s liver provides its body with the sugars and carbs it needs. If your dog suffers from liver disease, it will stop supplying those important nutrients, and its body will start to consume muscle tissues and fatty deposits. Liver disease is serious and should be investigated and treated by professionals.
• Tapeworms or other Parasites – when cockapoos have parasites infesting their body, they can experience very quick and sudden weight loss. Tapeworms, for instance, live inside your dog’s intestines and eat the food there before your pooch has properly ingested it.
• Anxiety, Depression, and Nervousness – just as is the case with humans, dogs can suffer from anxiety, depression and nervousness. All these conditions and feeling can affect their appetite negatively. Dogs that feel uneasy and uncomfortable will often not eat.
• Diabetes – diabetes is a condition that means there is an insulin deficiency in your dog. Insulin helps to absorb the sugar in your dog’s blood. The interesting thing you need to be aware of is that while diabetes increases your cockapoo’s appetite, the weight will still drop. Canine diabetes is often caused by weight or genetic factors and is most prevalent in older dogs.
• Thyroid Problems – Another condition humans suffer from, cockapoos and other dogs also suffer from is hormonal imbalances caused by thyroid issues. Symptoms of overactive thyroids are extreme weight loss and rapid metabolism. Don’t worry, though; once thyroid issues have been identified, they are easy to manage.

Summary

As you can see, there are a lot of different factors and issues you need to consider if you think your dog is too skinny. Consider their size, diet, and exercise routine, and if you are unsure about anything or not finding answers, take your four-legged friend to your vet’s practice. They will be able to examine your dog, weigh him or her and then offer suggestions for combatting the weight problem if it is a problem.