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My 1-year-old Boxer's bones are showing. Is she underweight?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I'm taking care of a boxer. Is it normal to feel and see her spine and pelvic bone? she only eats 1/2 a cup 3 times a day. She is 1 yr old.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 17th, 2017

It sounds like she could be too thin. Here is a link to a body score chart so you can compare. You may need to increase her feeding to 1 cup each feeding and see if she puts on some weight. https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/images/Body%20condition%20score%20chart%20dogs_0.pdf

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 17th, 2017

    In my experience, if you can see the pelvic bones, spine, and sternum, then yes the dog is too thin. Please keep in mind that because I cannot see the dog, I cannot say for certain she is too thin. A female boxer should weigh between 50-65 pounds. If she weighs less than that, then yes she is too thin. To weigh her at home, step on scale holding her (if you can!), then step on the scale alone. Subtract your weight from the the weight of holding her, and that will tell you how much she weighs. It's certainly ok to discuss your concerns with your friends that you feel she is too thin.

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