Feeding my dog 3 1/2 cups twice a day but...

kaurix5 · 12-16-2012, 03:48 PM

I have an 8 month old German Shepherd pup, he scrafs up all of his food as soon as he gets it. We feed him 6 cups a day but he doesn't seem to be gaining any weight. His hip bones are very boney and when I gave him a bath today, he looked so skinny that it concerns me.

I took him to the local dog park and a guy suggested that I do a self feeder but I'm concerned that he will be eating too much then.

I need some advice.
Oh and I am feeding him Purina One Large Puppy.

wolfy dog · 12-16-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaurix5

Oh and I am feeding him Purina One Large Puppy.

That might be the problem. It has a lot of fillers, that's why you have to feed him so much. Check out the info on this forum on good brands to feed and to look for ingredients to avoid.
You will pay more for each bag but also feed less and scoop less waste.

Pattycakes · 12-16-2012, 04:22 PM

I agree with Wolfy...check that thread out. I feed my 3 1/2 yr old GSD only 1 1/2 cups of dry food plus some treats and she's right where I want her.

doggiedad · 12-16-2012, 07:47 PM

if you're feeding 3&1/2 cups twice a day that's 7 cups. if you're feeding 3, 1/2 cups twice a day that's 3 cups. i fed my pup 3 cups a day (1 cup in the am, 1 cup noonish and 1 cup in the pm. he had a snack throughout the day. you could switch to a better food. that may help. make sure there's nothing medical going on.

wolfy dog · 12-16-2012, 08:17 PM

Good advice form doggiedad: take a stool sample t the vet to have it checked for parasites but even better to have a physical along with it. You don't want nutritional problems with a fast growing dog like a GSD.

Mary Beth · 12-16-2012, 09:13 PM

If he is healthy (normal stools, etc.) but skinny, at that age, and with all the growing he is doing, you may want to try giving him more. My Sting was on the same food as yours at that age and I went by the package guidelines but he was always hungry, so I increased it. When he was finished with that growth spurt, he actually ate less.

BlackthornGSD · 12-16-2012, 10:30 PM

Check the calories you are feeding him daily--you can google to find the amount of calories per cup of the food you are feeding.

Then use a metabolic calculator get a rough estimate of how many calories he needs:

Metabolic Energy Requirements For Dogs

You might do better to switch him to a higher calorie food. If you want to stay with Purina, the Purina Chicken & Rice (not "Shredded") is a pretty decent food.

12-16-2012, 03:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
kaurix5 New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 1	Feeding my dog 3 1/2 cups twice a day but... I have an 8 month old German Shepherd pup, he scrafs up all of his food as soon as he gets it. We feed him 6 cups a day but he doesn't seem to be gaining any weight. His hip bones are very boney and when I gave him a bath today, he looked so skinny that it concerns me. I took him to the local dog park and a guy suggested that I do a self feeder but I'm concerned that he will be eating too much then. I need some advice. Oh and I am feeding him Purina One Large Puppy.

12-16-2012, 07:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 12,716	if you're feeding 3&1/2 cups twice a day that's 7 cups. if you're feeding 3, 1/2 cups twice a day that's 3 cups. i fed my pup 3 cups a day (1 cup in the am, 1 cup noonish and 1 cup in the pm. he had a snack throughout the day. you could switch to a better food. that may help. make sure there's nothing medical going on. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

12-16-2012, 08:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
wolfy dog Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,316	Good advice form doggiedad: take a stool sample t the vet to have it checked for parasites but even better to have a physical along with it. You don't want nutritional problems with a fast growing dog like a GSD. __________________ To know if you are doing things right, you should be willing to trade places with your dog.

12-16-2012, 09:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mary Beth Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pierre, South Dakota Posts: 1,289	If he is healthy (normal stools, etc.) but skinny, at that age, and with all the growing he is doing, you may want to try giving him more. My Sting was on the same food as yours at that age and I went by the package guidelines but he was always hungry, so I increased it. When he was finished with that growth spurt, he actually ate less. __________________ Sting Chance von Gaard AKC GSD 2/8/2006

12-16-2012, 10:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
BlackthornGSD Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 1,426	Check the calories you are feeding him daily--you can google to find the amount of calories per cup of the food you are feeding. Then use a metabolic calculator get a rough estimate of how many calories he needs: Metabolic Energy Requirements For Dogs You might do better to switch him to a higher calorie food. If you want to stay with Purina, the Purina Chicken & Rice (not "Shredded") is a pretty decent food. __________________ Christine Blackthorn Working German Shepherds

12-16-2012, 04:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pattycakes Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,625	I agree with Wolfy...check that thread out. I feed my 3 1/2 yr old GSD only 1 1/2 cups of dry food plus some treats and she's right where I want her.

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