[DSudd]

What is an average/approximate weight gain for a pup? In the past 9 days Apollo has put on 6 lbs. Just wondering if that is normal.

Also wondering if it is the puppy food. (We are working on switching him to adult food)

 

[Elmo's Mom]

Hi Danielle,

When we got Elmo, he was 10/11 weeks old. He was 25 pounds. Within two weeks, he was up to 32 pounds. The only reason I know is we couldn't carry him up and down the stairs anymore. He was too heavy to carry! It seems like he was packing on weight very quickly early on. Then, it slowed down.

I don't remember exactly when we switched him to adult food, but it was probably when he was four months old. I remember his weight gain slowed down considerably.

So, I think Apollo is growing just fine. I think there will be some spurts where he grows really fast as a pup.

 

[DSudd]

Thank you for your answer. He has gained approximately 14 lbs in the past 4 weeks. We had pano issues with Rocky and I really dont want to repeat them with Apollo. It is ok to switch them to adult food earlier?

 

[Smithie86]

Our puppies are on adult food as of 7 weeks.

 

[Elmo's Mom]

I think the earlier the better so it slows down the growth and it is easier on the joints. You probably already know this, but just mix it in slowly over a week or 10 days. Elmo is more sensitive to different foods than Molly. She has a rock solid stomach. It took us a while to settle on a food that worked well for Elmo. Good luck!

 

[DSudd]

I know to mix the food. I have been mixing in Rockys food, but I am contemplating changing both of them over to something with more protein in it. Such decisions to make about feed our pups.

 

[JenM66]

Just saw this one - Gracie put on weight like it was going out of style!
3/20/06 -- 16.6
3/27/06 -- 17.8
4/10/06 -- 20.6
5/30/06 -- 29.4 **
6/19/06 -- 47.4 **
7/10/06 -- 53.8 **
8/4/06 -- 59.4 **
9/5/06 -- 61.4 **
12/26/06 -- 65.0

**yup....we dealt with pano all through this stage! We didn't change her food, she remained on Canidae All Life Stages, we even cut back how much she was eating

but she grew like a weed!

Then she dropped into the low 60's, even 59 again, during her crazy lanky stage. She's at 66.8 now and holding steady.

 

[Timber1]

Mine, when he was a pup, gained about 10 pounds in four weeks.

I think the key is how the dog looks. If he is trim and healthy I would not worry about the weight.

 

[DSudd]

Originally Posted By: Smithie86Our puppies are on adult food as of 7 weeks.

What brand do you use? Do you like the results you get with the food?

Jen - Pano is becoming a fear because of the weight he is gaining. I remember how miserable Rocky was with it.

 

[JKlatsky]

I've read some debate about high protein foods for puppies, in that it's not a great idea. I'm not sure how true it is, but I'm holding off on the high protein grain free foods until he's 18-24 months old. He's doing well on what I'm feeding him now, so if it ain't broke don't fix it!

http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/do_i_need_to_use_a_puppy_food.htm

 

[DSudd]

HM I was thinking the opposite. More protein now, and less as they get older. It is so confusing sometimes on what is right and what is wrong.