Amount of food ??

[tobym333]

Good morning, My wife and I bought an all white shepherd a month ago. We had him AKC reg. After doing research on food and diet I decided to go with Innova large breed puppy. The additional cost seems worth it for a family member. He has been wonderful. Learning quickly . My question is this...he weighed 22.5 lbs at 14 weeks, the vet said he was a little under weight so after crating him and learning where to use the potty we started to free feed out side and he eats like crazy, should I limit how much he gets or is free freeding fine ? His stomach seems a little round like a barrel ( just a little ) We dont let him eat after 8:00 pm and we put out about 4 cups in the morning for him to eat throughout the day and about another 1 cup when we get home around 4:30 which he kinda picks at . I train with different treats around 6:00 pm which he eats up ...lol. I take him for walks and exercise him every evening. He is 18 weeks tomorrow . Thanks for your help.

[Dakotasmom23]

I personally don't like free feeding because it makes potty training harder. I'm doing 3 meals a day with my puppy (now 15 weeks) and she gets 4 to 4.5 cups a day (its an ALS adult food, we're off puppy food) But your vet must have good reasons for suggesting that to get some weight on your pup. At 14 weeks, my female was 28.5 lbs but I'm not sure how she falls in the average or big category. So perhaps you could get your puppy to an acceptable weight and then switch over to meals.

[LaRen616]

I am also against free feeding. When you set a time for meals you will have a better idea when he needs to go out and potty, you will be able to monitor how much he is eating a day and notice when he is sick and not eating enough.

I would give him 3 meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[BlackGSD]

If his stomach is "round like a barrel" he is too fat. He should have an obvious waist and you should be able to feel his ribs easily. Or even be able to see the last rib or 2 when he is moving/turning.

I too an against free feeding for the reasons mentioned above, AND the vast majority of free fed dogs are overweight.

You also should avoid exercise before and after meals. If they are free fed, you don't know when the dog last ate. Si if yoy come home ftom work and want to take the dog for a walk/run, you don't know if it last ate 5 hours ago, or 5 minutes ago.

[tobym333]

Great information ! Thanks. We cant feed lunch because we are at work. Thats why I was free feeding during the day( probably to much) . We place him in the back yard in the morning and bring him in when we get home and he sleeps in his bed in our bedroom at night. He does not have any potty accidents and he wakes us up by moaning/winning when he wants to go out side to pee at night. Should I reduce the amount to 2 cups twice a day. In the morning and when we get home ? Thanks again yall

[BlackGSD]

If he is too fat, I wouldn't feed him 4 cups a day. I would try 3 1/2 split into 2 meals and see how is weight is. (Since from the sound of it, he is already eating 4 cups PLUS treats and is too heavy.)

Does he currently eat all of the 5th cup you give him?

[tobym333]

No, he doesnt finish the cup we give him when we get home. I just give it to him cause we dont know if hes hungry or not... Im about to upload a picture from last night ... so you and tell me what you think.

[tobym333]

[tobym333]

[LaRen616]

Can you take a picture of him from the side and above?