Why is my Labrador small?

If your Labrador is small you might want to know why and what you can do about it. This post will show you common causes and what you can do about them.

So, why is my Labrador small? Possible reasons are that there is an issue with its diet, it could be genetically small, anxiety might be causing it or it might have an illness.

Your Labrador might be small for many different reasons. However, there are some things you can consider when trying to figure out the exact reason and there are a number of things you can do about them.

Why your Labrador is so small

Below are some common reasons why Labradors can be small and what would make them more likely to be the reason why yours is small.

It’s getting the wrong diet

The cause could be that there is an issue with its diet.

It could be the case that it is not eating enough calories for its activity levels. When you see the vet next, it would help to tell them how much you are currently feeding it and to ask if you should be feeding it more than that.

It might also be the case that you have been feeding it the wrong types of foods which is causing a nutritional deficiency. This would be more likely if your Labrador seems to be trying to get the nutrients in other ways such as by eating dirt. You can read here to see what you should and should not be feeding your Labrador.

Genes

The reason why it is small could be that it is in its genes to be small. This would be more likely if it has always been small and if your vet has never commented on there being any issues with its size or weight.

Anxiety

If your Labrador has suddenly lost weight after a stressful event it could be the case that it is because it is stressed or anxious. This would be more likely if it started losing weight after things such as another pet dying, someone mistreating it or moving homes.

In this case, it would be important to deal with the issue and it would be highly recommended for you to get the help of a vet and a dog behaviorist.

Illness

The cause could be that it has a medical condition or an illness. This would be more likely if it has become small suddenly or if it has suddenly stopped eating as much and it has been showing other signs of being ill. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.

Consider whether or not it has always been small

When trying to figure out why your Labrador is small it would help to consider whether or not it has always been small for its age.

If it has become small suddenly it would be more likely to be due to things such as being more active but not eating enough calories, getting ill or being stressed. It would help to consider what else changed when it became small.

Whereas, if it has always been small for its age it would be more likely to be due to things such as genetics. However, it could still be the case that it hasn’t been getting fed enough and it would help to make sure it’s being fed correctly when you see your local vet next.

How to get your Labrador to be bigger

Below are a number of options you have when dealing with your Labrador being small. The best option will depend on the most likely cause.

Talk to a vet

If you can’t figure out why it is small, it has become small suddenly or it has been showing signs of being ill the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so you will be able to get expert advice tailored to your specific Labrador and to rule out the possibility of it being a more serious issue.

Feed it the correct foods

As mentioned above, it might be the case that you have been feeding it the wrong type of diet. You can look here to see what dogs should and should not be eating. If your Labrador became small when you changed its diet it would also make it a lot more likely to be due to an issue with its new diet.

Feed it the right amount for its activity levels

It would also help to ensure that it is getting the right amount of daily calories. It would help to consult with your local vet about how much it is currently eating and if it should be eating more when you next see them.