Do you have an overactive dog, a picky eater, or a malnourished rescue dog that needs to pack on a few extra pounds?
Putting weight on a dog can be frustrating for owners. Feeding more of a dog’s regular food may help unless you have a picky eater, but results can be slow and vary from dog to dog depending on the dog’s diet’s nutritional content.
If you need to help your dog gain weight quickly, you need to try satin balls.
Satin Balls—What Are They?
Satin balls are the invention of Diana Carreon, R.N., C. and have been around since 1996.
Satin balls contain nutrients, minerals, and calories that improve a dog’s coat and quickly add pounds to a skinny dog. Satin balls should supplement your dog’s diet and are not intended to be a meal replacement
Carreon does not recommend satin balls for puppies and this is why:
A balanced diet for dogs has balanced calcium, phosphorus, and manganese ratios. Satin balls do not have enough calcium to offset the increased phosphorus from the increased protein raw meat.
Satin balls provide calcium through unsulfured molasses, but the quantity is too low for a puppy whose bones and joints are still developing. The lack of balance is not harmful for older dogs.
Satin Ball Recipe
Here is the Original Satin Balls Recipe from 1996
10 pounds hamburger meat with at least 20% fat
1 large. box (16 ounces) Total cereal
1 large box (42 ounces) instant oatmeal (uncooked)
1 jar (12 oz.) of wheat germ
1¼ cup vegetable oil
1¼ cup unsulfured molasses
10 raw eggs and with shells crushed
10 unflavored gelatin envelopes
Pinch of salt
Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl or a clean five-gallon bucket and mix. (Most people use their hands to mix.)
Divide into serving sizes, which ideally are the size of a golf ball or a ¼ cup pattie. Ice cream scoopers come in handy if you choose to make balls vs. patties.
Place balls or patties in Ziplock freezer bags and store in the freezer—Thaw and feed raw at meal-time or as a snack.
The Health Benefits of Satin Balls
Raw meat and eggs = protein and fats
Oatmeal = protein, fiber, manganese, zinc, iron, and B vitamins (B5, pantothenic acid, and folate B9)
Wheat Germ = Fatty acids Omega-3 and -6, which aid in a healthy coat, high energy, and mental alertness
Vegetable Oil = Another source of Omega-3 and -6
Unsulfured Molasses = calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, selenium, and Vitamin B-6.
*The darker the molasses, the better. Dark molasses contain less sugar. The brand Blackstrap is considered one of the best.*
Unflavored Gelatin = Collagen, which promotes healthy ligaments, tissues, bones, tendons, and skin.
Salt = Electrolyte balance
*Excessive salt can be dangerous, so keep it to a pinch.*
Satin Ball Recipe Modifications
When it comes to selecting meat, beef, or ground turkey can be used. Select leaner meat if the goal is to improve your dog’s coat and use meat with a higher fat content if you want to quickly put weight on your dog.
Total cereal can be swapped out for Special K.
Olive oil or coconut oil can be substituted for vegetable oil.
Don’t substitute eggs but rinse them to remove chemicals from the shells if they are store-bought.
Dark molasses enhance fat digestion and amino acid metabolism, which is essential to helping dogs gain weight. Don’t leave this ingredient out.
Substitute a pinch of salt with a pinch of sea salt.
Grain-Free Satin Ball Recipe
If your dog has grain allergies, try this recipe:
10 pounds of ground meat
1 large tub of 4% fat cottage cheese
500g of cream cheese (2 packages)
1¼ cup vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut Oil
1½ cup of unsulphured molasses
10 raw eggs with the shells crushed
10 envelopes of unflavored Gelatin
A pinch of sea salt
Variations have been made to the original satin balls recipe from 1996. If you’re not pleased with the recipes above, a quick search online will provide you with alternative suggestions and ideas.
How Many Satin Balls to Feed Per Day?
Your dog’s size and how much weight they need to gain will determine how many satin balls you should feed.
One or two satin balls per day is a good start for a medium to large breed. If you are trying to put weight on your dog quickly, you can increase the amount.
Satin balls work, so keep an eye on your dog’s weight and cut back or eliminate from their diet when you feel they are at an ideal and healthy weight.
Satin balls are considered by many to be a healthy way to help your dog gain weight. Rescue organizations use satin balls, as do show dog owners, bully breed owners wanting to bulk up their dogs, and anyone nursing a sick or malnourished dog back to health.
Satin balls’ main ingredient is raw meat, so be sure to thoroughly wash your hands, utensils, and your dog’s bowl after handling or serving satin balls for safety purposes.
