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Posted by Topic subject:   How often do you feed your pup?
yvone
New Member

Posts: 4
From:campus, illinois USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-11-2003 06:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for yvone     Edit/Delete Message
Hi, I have a three month old Golden Retriever pup. I am feeding her three meals a day. I was just wondering at what age everyone switches to two meals a day? Thanks bunches....Yvone

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GoodboysBaddogs
Member

Posts: 217
From:Los Angeles, Ca.
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 10-11-2003 07:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoodboysBaddogs     Edit/Delete Message
hi Yvonne,

3 months, she must be so adorable. I wish my dogs were still around that age. Not that they're not adorable anymore, but around that age my pups were killer-cuties!

As far as your question, i'd say around 6-7 months. Although, you should probably get a better idea when to start giving 2 feedings from herself. She'll probably show signs of slowing down durring eating time. She'll eat a little less everyday, untill it seems like she's only needing around that much (2 feedings a day). It also depends on how much daily exercise she gets, what type of food you feed. The higher the quality (i'm assumming you feed [dry] kibble) the less you should (but not necessarily) be feeding. Usually the better quality the kibble is, it'll get her fuller faster (from quality "meat"-protein, and not vegitable protein & meat by-products, & low-to-no nutrition fillers). But this statement that "quality" kibble companies make has'nt seemed true in my dogs case. They've always ate the same amount as to when i used to feed the so-called commercial diets.
I think i started that "2 feedings a day" thing when my pups where around 8-9 months....

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-12-2003 11:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Hi Yvonne,

I have three dogs, a 9 year old Poodle, an almost three year old Aussie X, and a 10 month old Catahoula X pup. I feed the two larger dogs Canidae and they not only eat less of this than the "lesser quality foods" that I used to feed, but they put out less, if you catch my drift. The Poodle doesn't each much, even for a Poodle, he eats Canine Caviar twice a day. The other two dogs generally get fed twice a day. Sometimes they want more and I give it. I would be free feeding if it weren't for the Poodle who has to eat different food. The pup has always brought me his bowl when he wanted to eat, I noticed he slowed down in doing that around 9 months, when he has a growth spurt he brings it more often. He seems pretty happy with the two times a day right now. My Aussie mix does flyball, he burns off everything he eats just wagging his tail!, so I let him have all he wants. He doesn't bring me a bowl, but he will come and get me and show me his bowl by pointing his nose at it and whining. He is also pretty happy with two times a day, he only occasionally wants an extra feeding. I am lucky in that my dogs will tell me in their individual ways when they want more, and that they don't have issues with weight at all. I think it depends what you are feeding and the individual dog, evaluate YOUR pup based on her needs...not really everyone elses dogs or what the bag says. Your vet may be able to help you with this. When all of my dogs were pups I free fed them, meaning food was always down and available to them, this worked well for my dogs. The only reason I am not doing that now...is because of the Poodle and his needs. The other two are both high energy herding type dogs who get tons of exercise every day. One of them is still growing. If your pup is a hog about food, you may not be able to do that, or you may have other reasons for not wanting the food down all day.

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the_maine_pitbull
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Posts: 251
From:Allagash, Maine USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-12-2003 11:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for the_maine_pitbull     Edit/Delete Message
Okay.. I also have a feeding question.. My dogs are five months old. They free feed because I have not had any issues yet- and they usually eat until they are full and it has worked well so far like I said. However- no matter what I feed them for foods it seems like they do not eat enough. In the morning I put two cups and sit around waiting for one to eat it and neither of them bother. Like this morning at seven I put food in (2 cups) and here we are at 2:30 in the afternoon, they still have a little under a cup left in there. They eat more in the evening and I give them their separate dishes. This can't be healthy for them to only eat in the evening. Around 4 they will start eating- they sleep alot as well. What should I do to try to get them to eat right. I tried scheduled feeding and they just wouldn't eat until their evening feeding. Should I skip an evening feeding in hopes that they are really hungry by the morning and will eat on normal schedule or does it really not matter much? Any help!! Thanks, Angie

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-12-2003 12:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Angie, If they are at good weight, have healthy coats and overall seem healthy, I wouldn't worry about it, keep free feeding them. My dogs eat less in the morning than they do at night as well. The Poodle eats more in the morning and barely touches his food at night. I hate eating breakfast! LOL maybe they feel the same?

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yvone
New Member

Posts: 4
From:campus, illinois USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-12-2003 12:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for yvone     Edit/Delete Message
I have my golden and my dachshund on a new food that I found. I have done ALOT of research on foods and so far I think this one is the best. The dogs love it, and it has cleared up my doxies allergies.It is called Lifes Abundance. If you would like you can check it out at www.healtypetnet.com/ConnieMontjoy
If you would like more information about it, you can email me privately at:
c_montjoy1980@yahoo.com Have a great weekend!
Yvone

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Jas

Moderator

Posts: 262
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 10-13-2003 12:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jas     Edit/Delete Message
Its important that puppies eat 3 times per day. Around 6 or 7 months old I would start to change them to 2 meals per day.

===================================

Angie: like Maisey said - if your dogs look healthy in weight and healthy overall then continue to free feed. If your dogs are fussy and not eating enough (or one is heavier or thinner) then set them on a schedule. Leave the food down for 10 mins (or so) for each meal and if they don't eat take it away and they go without. By their next meal they should be hungrier and more interested in eating. They will soon learn they need to eat when food is given. Knowing that food is always available some dogs will fuss more.

With multiple dog households its especially important to monitor how much each one eats.

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nessa1880
Member

Posts: 131
From:Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-13-2003 02:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nessa1880     Edit/Delete Message
Okay my toy poodle is going on 9 months. I have thought about switching her to eating 2x a day. I have noticed in the past few weeks she doesnt eat as quickly as she used to. I was wondering how I go about switching her to eating 2x a day. She is in a routine when I come home for lunch to eat with me. I think she would freak out if I didnt feed her then. Any suggestions would help. THanks

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the_maine_pitbull
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Posts: 251
From:Allagash, Maine USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-13-2003 04:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for the_maine_pitbull     Edit/Delete Message
They are both healthy and perfect weight form what the vet says.. so I guess they are doing good.. tahnks for the advice y'all!
Angie

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nern
Member

Posts: 889
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 10-13-2003 08:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nern     Edit/Delete Message
nessa: what about giving her a few special treats at lunch time rather than a meal?

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nessa1880
Member

Posts: 131
From:Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-14-2003 09:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for nessa1880     Edit/Delete Message
Yeah maybe that would work. So do I just feed her more at breakfast and dinner time, so she gets the amount she needs?

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-14-2003 10:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Nessa, if you are going to maintain feeding her the same amount of food, you are better off feeding it in three meals. But if she is now eating less, or needs less two feedings is fine. I was told many small meals is better than one or two big meals, for most dogs. Does that sound right to you Jas?

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Jas

Moderator

Posts: 262
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 10-15-2003 08:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jas     Edit/Delete Message
Hi Maisey, yep that sounds about right. It's more convenient for most owners to fit in 2 (or 3 meals) as opposed to several small. But nothing wrong with more smaller meals if time permits. With most dogs especially deep chested better off feeding 2 or 3 meals as opposed to 1 because of bloat risk and such.

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-15-2003 08:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
ackkkkk, Dooley is particularly deep chested, I'm glad we feed smaller meals more frequently, we don't want bloat, whatever that is!

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