[jevc]

I have a question about how much to feed. I have a 9 month old pup that weighs in right at 70 lbs. He is not skinny and he is not fat. Actually I think his weight is just about right. You can almost see his ribs. but not quite. So here is my question. I only feed him two cups of food a day. (one morning, one evening) . He is on euk puppy food. He gets alot of work on land and water and is always hungry. Could two cups be enough to sustain him? I dont want to put weight on him too fast but I know he also needs the nutrition. It just dosnt seem like much food.

 

[Mistyriver]

Seems a little low. I have been giving mine 4 cups a day from almost day 1. She is now 2 1/2 years old and I still give her 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening and she looks good. Not to skinny and definitely not fat. I think you could increase the amount and just keep an eye on him.

 

[YardleyLabs]

I agree. In fact, when mine were around 6-9 months and walking 5+ miles/day they were eating six cups/day each without getting even a little bit fat. At age 2 1/2 they eat 3-4 cups/day each without gaining weight.

 

[Trevor Toberny]

just look at your dog.I have one that s eats more than twice as much as another but do same work and they look the same.I think every dog is different just like we are and we all eat different amounts.Dont go buy a number on the bag.Its a guidline.

 

[pafromga]

Go online to manufacturer's website and see what they recommend. We did that then sort of let my guys determine a little more or a little less.
There is a also alot of difference in cup levels as well between feeding a dog premium food and "not premium" food.

 

[ErinsEdge]

If you are working him a lot as you say especially on water, feed him more. If he starts to gain weight cut him back. I feed for a slight rib but change with seasons and work level and for the individual dog. Think of it like an active teenager.

 

[L. Zell]

Each dog is different. For example last fall during hunting season, we were feeding my husband's 9 month old, 30lbs springer 4 cups/day, and you could see her ribs. My 80lbs, fairly active working GSD was getting about 4.5 cups/day of the same food. My CBR was getting about 2.5 cups/day. Feed to the correct body weight, not by what the bag says.

 

[blackpowder]

Don't go by what so-and-so's dog eats to rate how much to feed your dog. Don't even go by the label on the bag and definitely don't go by the "he's always hungry" look. Go by your dog's body condition!!! From what you have said about your dog, you are feeding the correct amount for now. As he matures and gets into more intense training that will change. His body condition will tell you how much he needs to eat. Your dog, his pedigree, your training schedule, intensity of training, local weather, etc all play a role in dietary needs for your dog and these vary from person to person, from breed to breed and from region to region. It's much healthier for the dog if you err on the side of feeding him a little bit less than if you feed him too much because then you have an overweight dog that could develop into health issues down the road.

 

[DL]

My dogs are a little overweight. The problem I have is that a couple cups of food seems like so little. How can an animal live on such a small amount?

 

[blackpowder]

You have to think about the amount of calories, the bioavailability of protein, and the metabolizable energy in the food, not the amount of food itself. If your food is high in calories and ME and the protein has a high bioavailability then you shouldn't have to worry about the amount you are feeding. If you don't trust that your food has these qualities then might want to research some foods that do.

 

[spaightlabs]

My dogs are a little overweight. The problem I have is that a couple cups of food seems like so little. How can an animal live on such a small amount?

that's why I'm overweight...a palm-sized piece of meat seems like so little, and I always have that hungry look.

Last saw my ribs 3 years ago regards,

gs

 

[jevc]

thanks for all the replies. Sounds like I will keep it to about 2 cups a day and adjust from there as needed. Must be some pretty good food he is getting if two cups a day is keeping him heallthy wiith all the exercise he is getting. Or maybe it is that 10 lb spiral cut ham he ate off the kitchen table last week thats keeping him going.

 

[FOM]

Or maybe it is that 10 lb spiral cut ham he ate off the kitchen table last week thats keeping him going.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

But on a serious note - if you think he is getting extra goodies, might be time to doggie-proof. I just got my FT dog back from my Pro and he is a garbage can hound, but my other dog is not - got to scare the living crap out of the garbage can hound last night because I forgot to put the lid down....it was too funny, even at 3:30am

FOM