How many calories?

TXTorres · 11-10-2012, 12:44 PM

Howdy!

I recently picked up a rescued German Shepherd and I would like yall's opinions on a starting point, calorie-wise, on how much to feed him.

He is currently on 4Health Chicken & Rice. Yes, I know about the recalls, I know about grain free, etc. I have only had this dog for 2 days, so decided to get this food at first. I may only be a foster mom for him and only have him long enough to get him neutered, checked out, etc. before handing him off to a German Shepherd rescue (who knows?).

Anyways, each cup has 351 calories and I have been feeding 3 cups a day (1053 calories). After coming on here I feel like this is not enough. Vet estimated that he is only 11 months to a year old. I am not sure how much he weighs as he was very freaked out at the vet, so we didn't even make it off the welcome mat for a quick once over and microchip check (nothing there!). I tried weighing myself and then picking him up (difficult feat!) and weighing us, but our scale is stupid and wouldn't read the weight. For being a young, unaltered male German Shepherd, I wouldn't say he is skinny, but he's on the thinner side. How much should I feed him as a "starting point"? Any information is greatly appreciated by me and Capone!

msvette2u · 11-10-2012, 01:04 PM

I'd start with 2c. 2x a day (two cups AM and two cups PM).

For a total of 4/day.
Gradually you can add another 1/2 cup each meal for a total of 5 c./day if he's underweight.

4health is a good food, probably better than what he's used to

TXTorres · 11-10-2012, 01:37 PM

Sounds like a plan! Thanks so much!

He seems to like to food just fine, so he's probably going to be on it for awhile (unless problems come up, of course). Hopefully I will be able to keep him. He doesn't seem very socialized, but hard to tell so far. May just be super confused!

msvette2u · 11-10-2012, 02:51 PM

I don't go by "calories"(maybe I should!?) but I do go by cups and how the dog looks

Sounds like you're doing a great job!

TXTorres · 11-10-2012, 03:46 PM

Haha I normally don't go by calories either (I have a border collie and an English bull terrier already), but I've just never had a dog so big!!

11-10-2012, 12:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
TXTorres New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3	How many calories? Howdy! I recently picked up a rescued German Shepherd and I would like yall's opinions on a starting point, calorie-wise, on how much to feed him. He is currently on 4Health Chicken & Rice. Yes, I know about the recalls, I know about grain free, etc. I have only had this dog for 2 days, so decided to get this food at first. I may only be a foster mom for him and only have him long enough to get him neutered, checked out, etc. before handing him off to a German Shepherd rescue (who knows?). Anyways, each cup has 351 calories and I have been feeding 3 cups a day (1053 calories). After coming on here I feel like this is not enough. Vet estimated that he is only 11 months to a year old. I am not sure how much he weighs as he was very freaked out at the vet, so we didn't even make it off the welcome mat for a quick once over and microchip check (nothing there!). I tried weighing myself and then picking him up (difficult feat!) and weighing us, but our scale is stupid and wouldn't read the weight. For being a young, unaltered male German Shepherd, I wouldn't say he is skinny, but he's on the thinner side. How much should I feed him as a "starting point"? Any information is greatly appreciated by me and Capone! Last edited by TXTorres; 11-10-2012 at 12:45 PM. Reason: Adding additional information

11-10-2012, 01:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	I'd start with 2c. 2x a day (two cups AM and two cups PM). For a total of 4/day. Gradually you can add another 1/2 cup each meal for a total of 5 c./day if he's underweight. 4health is a good food, probably better than what he's used to

11-10-2012, 01:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
TXTorres New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3	Sounds like a plan! Thanks so much! He seems to like to food just fine, so he's probably going to be on it for awhile (unless problems come up, of course). Hopefully I will be able to keep him. He doesn't seem very socialized, but hard to tell so far. May just be super confused!

11-10-2012, 02:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	I don't go by "calories"(maybe I should!?) but I do go by cups and how the dog looks Sounds like you're doing a great job!

11-10-2012, 03:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
TXTorres New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3	Haha I normally don't go by calories either (I have a border collie and an English bull terrier already), but I've just never had a dog so big!!

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