I know this topic has been done over and over again but I just have to bring it up again. My puppy doesn’t seem to be growing very fast, at least not at the same rate as most of the pups I’ve seen in the “How much does your puppy weigh?” thread. Mila is quite a petite girl. When I brought her home at about 7 and a half weeks, she weighed around 4.3 kg. A month later at 11 weeks, she weighed 6.3 kg at the vet’s. She is now just over 12 weeks old, is 33 cm tall and weighs about 6.6 kg. She’s barely gained anything since her vet visit over a week ago. She’s averaged less than half a kilo per week in the first 5 weeks. I had expected her to nearly double her weight in the first month, but she hasn’t come close. Is this normal? I know they all grow at different rates and I’m probably overthinking and worrying too much. She looks and acts like a perfectly healthy, happy puppy, but I still worry. But based on her weight at 7-8 weeks, does it seem like she’s grown a healthy amount in a month?
I wouldn't worry. They're all completely different and grow at their own rates. My lad was 1.9kg when he came home at 9 weeks and only 12kg by 6 months. He seemed to do most of his growing between 7-12 months and is now a normal healthy 25kg. Whereas my friend who has a pup the same age her dog grew quickly when she was a pup but then didn't do much more growing after about 9 months. I'm sure if it was anything to be concerned about your vet would have said when you were there. We have labs ranging from about 20kg - 45kg on this forum, your girl might just be a petite one
If you get your puppy weighed monthly at your vet practice, they will tell you if there are any concerns. It will put your mind at rest. Our vet nurses willingly do this and keep a record. When Red lost weight a couple of months ago, they asked to see her a week or so later just to check. Red is 19.4kg - weighed yesterday and almost 1 year old so lightweight compared to other labs but they are happy with her therefore so am I . My older Lab is 25kg and a small Lab. They are all different weights and sizes.
Also slow growth is much better for their joint development than fast growth, which can sometimes lead to joint problems, so as long as she is slowly gaining weight I really wouldn't worry and enjoy your petite lab now while you can!
If she's gaining weight, is eating, drinking, weeing, pooing, playing and sleeping I really wouldn't worry toomuch - our pups all cone in different sizes and weights and grow at their own rate. My 3yr old girl ws 4.5kg at 10 weeks and gained weight at around 0.5kg a week - sometimes a little more, sometimes a lutle less. I used to pkay a game and predict her weight from one check to the next in 4 weeks time and was always within a 100g or so . Her weight slowed even more from around 7 months and weighed 23kg at a year old and around 27kg now having put on muscle. Pop to the vet on a regular basis si you can monitor her gain and you will start ti rekax once you see steady gain. Not all Labradors are large and/or heavy - nothing wrong with petite and lean
My boy at 21 months weighs anywhere between 27 and 28kg - last time we were at the vets I spoke to her about the 1kg variance - she said he is very healthy and ideal weight for his frame (more working lines - mum - than his show line dad). Can't remember what his weight gain was when he was tiny but we visited the vet once a month and each time he was weighed and they were happy with his weight. I would take my lead from the vet, if they are not worried I wouldn't be.
Thank you all very much for your answers. I’m definitely not concerned with how small she is. She’s perfect no matter what size. My worry was that other puppies her size at 7-8 weeks seem to be growing faster. But I know they all develop at different rates and I’ve heard that slow growth is better for their health. I’ll try not to worry!
