This is a great recipe (also recommended by our reproductive vet) for putting weight on dogs. When I was having trouble keeping weight on one of my girls while she was pregnant, this worked very well. Now I use this recipe for additional supplement for most of my girls prior to and after whelping. They love the treat and it encourages them to eat and gain/maintain weight.

Satin Balls can be used as a treat or for supplemental feedings. I like to mix mine in with their normal dry food. If you're trying to put weight on a dog recovering from illness, consult your veterinarian before adding this to their diet. For dogs on a specialized veterinary diet, it’s best to stick with the prescribed food.

The great thing about Satin Balls is that you can adjust the portion size based on your dog's needs. I typically make them slightly larger than a golf ball and freeze them in batches of six. By preparing large batches and freezing in smaller groups, I can easily defrost the portions as needed.

Directions
Do not cook. This is meant to be a raw diet.

Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Mix thoroughly, like your making meat loaf. The mixture should be sticky but manageable.
Form Balls: Shape the mixture into balls. Mine are slightly larger than a golf ball. Adjust the size depending on the needs of your dog. Ball size should be a portion you would feed per one feeding.
Freeze: Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. You can portion them out into smaller groups for easy access. Number per freeze bag should be a portion for a couple days time.
Serve: Defrost the desired number of balls and mix them with your dog’s regular food, or serve them as a treat.
Ingredients - Large Batch
10 lbs ground beef
1 (16 ounce) box Total cereal (or comparable - no raisins)
1 (42 ounce) box instant oatmeal
1 (12 ounce) jar wheat germ
1 1⁄4 cups vegetable oil
1 1⁄4 cups molasses
10 eggs (raw with crushed shells)
10 (1⁄4 ounce) envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 pinch salt
Ingredients - Small Batch
1 lb ground beef
1 1⁄3 Total cereal (or comparable - no raisins)
1 1⁄4 instant oatmeal
5 tbsp wheat germ
1⁄4 cups vegetable oil
1⁄4 cup molasses
1 egg (raw with crushed shells)
1 (1⁄4 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
1 smaller pinch salt
Notes:
Consult Your Vet: Always consult your veterinarian before introducing any new supplement or treat, especially if your dog has health issues or is on a specialized diet.
Storage: Keep the Satin Balls frozen until ready to use to maintain freshness.
This recipe is versatile and can be adjusted to suit your dog's specific needs, making it a valuable addition to their diet, especially during pregnancy, recovery, or weight gain efforts.