Amount to feed a puppy?

[PresaNYC]

Santos is almost 9 weeks old and he can't get enough of food and water; he'll eat everything and bark for more! I'm feeding him 3 times a day right now so he can actually use what he is eating.

I am weaning him off Canidae (what the breeder fed him) and onto Innova Puppy Large Breed. Canidae recommends 1.5-2 cups per day, while Innova recommends 4 cups. Albeit I only use the feeding recommendations as a guideline, I am curious to the amount you guys feed or fed your pups.

By the end of the week (turning 9 weeks), Santos will be eating 4 cups/day split into 3 servings of Innova Puppy Large Breed.

Can I give him more? He cleans his bowl within minutes and barks for more.

Thanks!

Santos and Benson
http://www.imagecoast.com/images/dannyusa/1_2.jpg

[kaner6]

I don't have much experience with kibble, but as far as useful advice I would say scratch the puppy kibble and feed him adult food instead. As far as quantity, as long as he isnt too skinny or isnt getting fat you are doing the right thing. I have always eyeballed feeding my dogs.

Best of luck

Justin

[geisthexe]

With pups you want to feed them a good quality large breed puppy food until they are about 6 months of age, them on an adult dog food. I would stay with 2 to 3 cups two times daily unless you are seeing them get to skinny or fat.

If you are planning on going kibble and raw, start them slowly onto raw meat until there body is adjusted to it. Highly recommend this method.

If you plan on putting them on all raw diet then make sure to do your homework on all the supplements, and nutrients he will need for growth, bones and organs. Wean him slowly off of kibble until his body adjust to the raw diet.

I hope this helps you out a bit

Regards

Deb

[netzer]

i'd go for kibble and raw, what i found with mine was give him enough till he's happy. you'll find the point when they won't finish then back off a bit. what's on the bag is guidelines no 2 puppies are the same just like no 2 people are the same we all eat differently. a puppy should'nt get fat unless he's not excercising and more excercise means more food.my bitch ate loads twice a day around 6 mths she just stopped eating the first meal and was just happy with one meal and she is very active.

[eSPO]

With large breeds that grow so fast puppy food should be avoided , in my ever so humble opinion. Use a quality ADULT food.Puppy food is formulated to stimulate growth and in a puppy you want adequate nutrition but not excessive. Large breed dogs that grow too fast can develop a host of problems. Get a good quality food and feed on whatever schedule you want. look at the puppy everyday and determine how much you will feed based on his looks. You do not want a fat rolly polly puppy. You want a nice medium, solid pup that looks healthy. The last thing you want to do is put too much weight on soft, developing joints.

[Fred]

I'm just curious why you switched him off the Canidae :confused:
Canidae is a lot more economical per bag than Innova. And look at what you wrote, Innova says you have to feed twice as much even..... but those are just very general guidelines. The best judge is for you to monitor how quickly he finishes what you give him and if his stools seem too large, the food is just passing through.... You want him lean, not skinny and you don't want a chubby puppy once he reaches 12 weeks, IMO. I was also under the impression, and don't quote me percentages, that large breed puppy food is basically adult food in a smaller sized kibble.

Those are some monster legs on your pup. Like trees :)

[PresaNYC]

...Puppy food is formulated to stimulate growth and in a puppy you want adequate nutrition but not excessive. Large breed dogs that grow too fast can develop a host of problems.

It's just the opposite. Large breed puppy food has less so that the growth is controlled. Not too much protein, etc. I was told to stay away from Innova Evo because it has too much protein (42%).

[PresaNYC]

I'm just curious why you switched him off the Canidae :confused:
Canidae is a lot more economical per bag than Innova. And look at what you wrote, Innova says you have to feed twice as much even..... but those are just very general guidelines. The best judge is for you to monitor how quickly he finishes what you give him and if his stools seem too large, the food is just passing through.... You want him lean, not skinny and you don't want a chubby puppy once he reaches 12 weeks, IMO. I was also under the impression, and don't quote me percentages, that large breed puppy food is basically adult food in a smaller sized kibble.

Those are some monster legs on your pup. Like trees :)

I've always fed my dogs Innova so I just stick with what works for me. I will monitor his stool and weight and adjust accordingly, thanks!

Large breed puppy food is formulated to allow for slower growth to prevent rapid weight gain.

[Fred]

Large breed puppy food is formulated to allow for slower growth to prevent rapid weight gain.

Yes..... how?...... by coming close to the protein and fat content of regular adult food. Just compare some labels.
Of course the way you say it.... or is that what's written on the bag? ;) I'd bet that food is worth 3 bucks more/bag than regular adult food. And that's the whole marketing idea :ok:
Nothing regulates growth better than how much you feed, no matter what you are feeding.
:)

[PresaNYC]

Large breed puppy food is formulated to allow for slower growth to prevent rapid weight gain.

Yes..... how?...... by coming close to the protein and fat content of regular adult food. Just compare some labels.
Of course the way you say it.... or is that what's written on the bag? ;) I'd bet that food is worth 3 bucks more/bag than regular adult food. And that's the whole marketing idea :ok:
Nothing regulates growth better than how much you feed, no matter what you are feeding.
:)

Sorry if I wasn't clear ;)
I am only comparing Innova products as that is what I use.
24g protein 12g fat vs. 42g protein 22g fat. I agree that other adult foods may be very similar to puppy foods content wise.

[Fred]

Sorry if I wasn't clear ;)
I am only comparing Innova products as that is what I use.
24g protein 12g fat vs. 42g protein 22g fat. I agree that other adult foods may be very similar to puppy foods content wise.

My fault. Sorry if I wasn't clear.
Innova adult has 24% protein and 14% fat.
Innova lg breed puppy has 24% protein and 12% fat.
Innova regular puppy has 26% protein and 12% fat.
I thought we were comparing similar foods, adult vs puppy vs lg breed puppy.
I was saying that feeding lg breed puppy food is "basically" like feeding adult food. It just comes in a smaller size kibble (usually). Getting into Innova Evo is a whole nuther ball game.

mmmkay? :ok:

[PresaNYC]

Sorry if I wasn't clear ;)
I am only comparing Innova products as that is what I use.
24g protein 12g fat vs. 42g protein 22g fat. I agree that other adult foods may be very similar to puppy foods content wise.

My fault. Sorry if I wasn't clear.
Innova adult has 24% protein and 14% fat.
Innova lg breed puppy has 24% protein and 12% fat.
Innova regular puppy has 26% protein and 12% fat.
I thought we were comparing similar foods, adult vs puppy vs lg breed puppy.
I was saying that feeding lg breed puppy food is "basically" like feeding adult food. It just comes in a smaller size kibble (usually). Getting into Innova Evo is a whole nuther ball game.

mmmkay? :ok:

EVO is what I was talking about, that's what I feed my Boxer.
This is getting confusing :)

Thanks!

[slamm]

Just feed your puppy whatever you are feeding your boxer and be done with it.

Its much easier for you, and your pup will not care in the least, trust me, ask him, yourself.

I know several breeders and I myself have never bought a bag of Puppy "whatever", ever. You will not see any difference in the dog, and it is a waste of money, time and energy.

Keep your puppy on the skinny side for the first year, if not it's whole life, benefits:

1. Less poop.
2. Less work.
3. Less money.
4. Less of a vet bill.

1. More energetic dog.
2. More healthy dog.
3. More money for charities.
4. More ........ Well, uh ............ um ........ I can't think of another clever "More" Statement so I'll leave,

Bye,

Sam