Just how much should I be feeding?

[ladyfreckles]

The breeder recommended feeding 1/3 a cup, 3x a day along with 1-2 spoonfuls of green tripe. The vet recommended upping his food to 1/2 a cup 3x a day with the same amount of green tripe. But he's had soft poops since I brought him home. Soft poop usually indicates that he's eating too much. He's supposed to put on some weight though.

I looked at the calorie information of the food, and it totaled up to less than 450 calories a day on the breeder's recommended diet. When I upped it, it went up to 625 calories a day. When I looked at this website:

Metabolic Energy Requirements For Dogs

It recommended at least 1000 for a puppy of my pup's weight, which would mean I am drastically underfeeding him!

But then, I looked up another calculator (http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-fe...od-calculator/) and it came up with 450-500 calories a day as the recommended. Am I doing something wrong here? I want to harden his poops, but he is also supposed to be gaining weight. Should I consider switching foods after this bag or is it too soon to tell?

Any advice?

[BR870]

Don't use the MER formula found on that link, use the Waltham Forumula found below it.

use this one: Amount = 110 x (body weight in kilograms)0.75

and for a puppy under 50% of its adult weight (usually under 4 months) multiply by x2, for one 50-80% of its adult weight multiply by x1.5, and for 80% to adult weight (1 year) x1.2

[BR870]

I see from your other post he is 14 pounds. So...

= 110 x (6kilos)^0.75

= 421

Now because of his age I would multiply by 2, so about 840 calories is what I personally would start him at and then adjust from there.

Really you need to look at his body condition. Every dog is different and that is where you will see if they need more or less...

BTW, the second calc you linked too clearly says it is for adults only.

Also soft stool can mean all sorts of things, not just eating too much

[LaRen616]

I fed both of my dogs 3 cups 3x a day when they were puppies.

Malice started getting 4 cups 2x a day by the time she was 5 months old.

[ladyfreckles]

Originally Posted by BR870

I see from your other post he is 14 pounds. So...

= 110 x (6kilos)^0.75

= 421

Now because of his age I would multiply by 2, so about 840 calories is what I personally would start him at and then adjust from there.

Really you need to look at his body condition. Every dog is different and that is where you will see if they need more or less...

BTW, the second calc you linked too clearly says it is for adults only.

Also soft stool can mean all sorts of things, not just eating too much

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I can very easily feel his hips, ribs, and spine. I've had two vets say he's too thin and that he should gain 1-2lbs at least to be healthy. He's getting a stool test done on Monday so hopefully nothing is wrong with that.

I'll try upping his food again to 800.

Originally Posted by LaRen616

I fed both of my dogs 3 cups 3x a day when they were puppies.
Malice started getting 4 cups 2x a day by the time she was 5 months old.

Those add some perspective too, thanks.

[BlackGSD]

It doesn't sound like he is getting nearly enough. Siren was eating about double what he is at the same age and her kibble was higher in calories. Does the bag have a feeding guide? That is often a good starting point. Then you adjust from there judging by the pups body condition.


Wanted to add that I've NEVER had a pup/dog of any breed that ate nearly as much as LaRens dogs. Not saying that she is over feeding them, as they are at great weights. Just that, IMO, it isn't typical for a pup to need nearly that much food.

[ladyfreckles]

Originally Posted by BlackGSD

It doesn't sound like he is getting nearly enough. Siren was eating about double what he is at the same age and her kibble was higher in calories. Does the bag have a feeding guide? That is often a good starting point. Then you adjust from there judging by the pups body condition.


Wanted to add that I've NEVER had a pup/dog of any breed that ate nearly as much as LaRens dogs. Not saying that she is over feeding them, as they are at great weights. Just that, IMO, it isn't typical for a pup to need nearly that much food.

That's what I was worried about. I can't understand why the breeder wanted him to eat so little. The bag says 2 1/4 - 3 3/4 a day. I'm going to up it to 2.25 cups a day today and see how he fairs on that. I'm glad I asked you guys. If his stool test comes back without anything wrong I might try switching foods. This food may not be working for him. I'll wait until my bag is at least half way empty to try that though.

[martemchik]

Each dog is different. My dog ate as much or more than LaRen's dogs and was the skinniest thing you've ever seen. He still eats about 5 cups a day and you can clearly see his waist. Just a fast metabolism. Its all a guessing game. Give him more and if he starts getting "fat" then give him less. Right now he needs all the calories he can get, he's going to go from 14 lbs to 50 lbs in a few months and that growth has to come from something. I wouldn't worry about overfeeding at this point.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by BlackGSD

Wanted to add that I've NEVER had a pup/dog of any breed that ate nearly as much as LaRens dogs. Not saying that she is over feeding them, as they are at great weights. Just that, IMO, it isn't typical for a pup to need nearly that much food.

When they were puppies or now?

I got both of them when they were 11 weeks old.

Malice was/is fed Wellness Super5Mix for LBP, at 12.5 weeks old she weighed 23 pounds. She was fed a total of 3 cups a day 3 times a day until she turned about 5 months old and then I started feeding her 4 cups a day 2 times a day. She is thin, you can see some rib and you can easily feel them. She is always on the go and has a ton of energy. I will be posting pictures of her today so you can see how she looks.

Sinister was fed Solid Gold Wolf Cub, he got a total of 3 cups a day 3 times a day until he was 6 months I believe and then I started feeding him 4 cups a day 2 times a day. He has been eating Wellness Core for about 4 months now. He is 28' at the shoulders and weighs between 80-85 pounds. I will take some pictures of him today and post them too.

[ladyfreckles]

Originally Posted by LaRen616

When they were puppies or now?

I got both of them when they were 11 weeks old.

Malice was/is fed Wellness Super5Mix for LBP, at 12.5 weeks old she weighed 23 pounds. She was fed a total of 3 cups a day 3 times a day until she turned about 5 months old and then I started feeding her 4 cups a day 2 times a day. She is thin, you can see some rib and you can easily feel them. She is always on the go and has a ton of energy. I will be posting pictures of her today so you can see how she looks.

Sinister was fed Solid Gold Wolf Cub, he got a total of 3 cups a day 3 times a day until he was 6 months I believe and then I started feeding him 4 cups a day 2 times a day. He has been eating Wellness Core for about 4 months now. He is 28' at the shoulders and weighs between 80-85 pounds. I will take some pictures of him today and post them too.

Your dogs sound like my friend. He legitimately eats about 4000+ calories a day and remains constantly on the skinny side. He eats so much and he never gains weight.