Recommendations for a dry food for a high-energy/hard keeper dog?

[BoysNightOut]

A stray came wandering on our farm last November right before a snow storm. Emaciated, smelled awful, with a lovely collar scar around her neck. After we made the attempts to find an owner, nobody came forward, so she was here to stay. We already have 3 dogs & a cat, but what’s another dog.

She’s a little over a year old. We had her spayed, and had all her shots updated. Brindle, right now about 60lb. Very sweet, but VERY high energy. Not sure of her breeding.

Vet would like her around 65lbs. She’s gained weight, but still very ribby. Otherwise, in great health per vet. She recommended a higher calorie kibble. Right now, she’s on Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul Adult food.

During the week, she is crated while we’re at work, but gets out to play for a couple hours in the evening running amuck around the farm. On the weekends, she’s out playing most of the day. When she’s out, she plays hard! She doesn’t walk; she leaps, bounces, and runs.

Any recommendations for a kibble for high-energy dogs that won’t break the bank?

TIA!

Oh, here’s a picture of her if this helps.

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1471874_620951801360_645210732_n.jpg

[scruffy_the_cat]

I have a hard keeper and we have had good luck with Solid Gold Barking At the Moon. He had to eat so much regular food to keep weight on him that it was making him ill. Barking At the Moon has a higher protein content and so I can reduce the amount of food I give him in order to keep him at a healthy weight so he doesn’t have an upset stomach all the time.

[Nezzy]

some dogs don’t fill out until they are about 2. My Female terrier was skinny as heck until she turned 2, then she filled out nicely. Make sure you are not getting too high of a protein if she is too active for you now. Stick with a 25%-35% protein. Get a high calorie, or add a bit of salmon oil to her diet.

[gypsymare]

DH has an English Mastiff that was free fed Pedigree and looked emaciated when we met. I switched her to Innova Evo and the change was almost immediate and drastic.

[atlatl]

My dog had a severe allergic reaction to Innova Evo. He’s been very happy on Organix.

[Horsegal984]

Personally my high stress/energy dog did really well on the Eukanuba Premium Performance 20/30 food. It’s 20% protein and 30% fat. The fat keeps really seems to keep the weight on these type guys.

It’s a bit of trial and error though. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain ad try something different, some do better with higher protein, others with higher fat, etc. Find what works for your dog and ignore the rest.

[Anne_FS]

Pro Plan Sport. Or maybe they call it Pro Plan Performance now - I forget which way it changed. Probably to Performance. Anyway, the purple bag one.

Also Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, which sounds weird but I had someone recommend it for a hard keeper who had a perfectly fine stomach. Anyway, they said it put weight and beautiful coat on a dog that sounds like yours.

You might want to try these; they’re not as pricey as Solid Gold and other brands. Not knocking SG, or course, but trying to keep the grocery bills to a reasonable level.

[My_Two_Cents]

I have no food advice but she is incredibly cute. Nice save!

[wendy]

pro plan sport is utter garbage- read the ingredients- but it’s on the right track, you want a food designed for a sporting dog. Try one of the foods designed for athletes- a 30/20 formula, or even higher 35/25- diamond naturals extreme athlete, Dr. Tim’s momentum, native #4, anamet ultra.

[Anne_FS]

Don’t listen to wendy, I know a lot of long-lived, gorgeous dogs who thrive on Pro Plan Sport and other Pro Plan varieties.

[Fuego1]

We have a very athletic McNab who can be a hard keeper. We put her on Merrick Grain Free (switch flavors around) and also give her some coconut oil, she looks awesome and so does her coat. Also, she looooves the coconut oil. Whatever food you pick, it can be a good addition. Just start with a small amount so they don’t get diarrhea.