Important Disclaimer
The information provided here is for general pet health education only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional veterinary advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.
- Species & breed
- Dog · Maltese
- Age
- 1 days old
- Sex
- Female
- Color
- White
It's wonderful that you've given Lilly a home, and it's clear you're already looking out for her! Helping an underweight dog regain a healthy weight takes a little care and patience, so let's talk through some general guidance.
First, the honest answer to "how much should I feed her?" is that this really needs to come from a vet — especially for an underweight dog. Here's why: refeeding a dog that has been underfed can actually cause problems if done too quickly. The amount also depends on her age, her current body condition, the specific food you're using, and whether there's an underlying reason she's underweight in the first place.
That said, here are some general things to keep in mind while you're getting her to a vet:
- Follow the food label as a starting point, but treat it as a rough guide — labels are based on healthy adult dogs at an average weight, not underweight ones.
- Feed smaller meals more frequently (2–3 times a day) rather than one large meal. This is gentler on a small dog's digestive system.
- Choose a high-quality food appropriate for her life stage. If you don't know her age, a food labeled "all life stages" is a reasonable choice until a vet can give more specific guidance.
- Don't rush the weight gain. Slow and steady is safer than trying to pack on pounds quickly.
- Fresh water should always be available.
At only 5 lbs 3 oz, Lilly is a very small dog, and small dogs can have fragile blood sugar levels — especially if they're also young or have been stressed. Signs of low blood sugar (called hypoglycemia) include shakiness, weakness, or seeming "out of it." If you see any of those, contact a vet right away.
When to see your vet:
Given that Lilly is already underweight, I'd strongly recommend scheduling a vet visit as soon as possible — ideally within the next day or two. A vet can:
- Weigh her properly and assess her body condition
- Check for parasites, illness, or other reasons for low weight
- Give you a specific feeding plan tailored to her
- Make sure she's otherwise healthy before you start building her back up
If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling, or she refuses to eat, treat that as urgent and call a vet or emergency animal clinic the same day.
You're doing the right thing by paying attention — Lilly is lucky to have someone looking out for her! 🐾
Was this answer helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve answers for every pet.