Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenna AK  Hello,
Thank you for these forums. We are quite perplexed.
My family has just adopted what is believed to be a two year old Yorkie Silky Mix. She's passed her first night with us well, but for a little neediness.
We've fed her cooked steak and chicken in small amounts (1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time, about four times a day and she's not wild about the chicken) and she's only gone potty a handful of times, not defecating yet. (We don't know when she last went. Her previous owner had her using a doggie door and had other dogs, so couldn't really tell us when she in particular had eliminated.)
Can we get some advice on how to feed her properly and how much each day? Plus any tips on getting her to stay asleep during the night? She's kind of been up and down all day, but mostly down.
BTW, we live in Alaska and the snow's just going away here, so she's not crazy about going out in the cold and wind. We have a puppy pad down in the play area in case she has an accident overnight.
Just to add, she does have a wellness check scheduled with our vet next Thursday. Until then we're kind of winging it.
Also we've had dogs who got GDV before (granted they were large breeds) and as a result we are wary of commercial dog kibbles. Any advice in that area would be most helpful also.
Many thanks!  |
Woohoo, a fellow Alaskan! I'll have all kinds of tips for you come next winter.
My two Yorkies love the snow. Of course, we don't quite get as cold as you!
As for food, it sounds to me like you're overfeeding, and I don't think cooked meat and chicken is a good idea. Even people who feed meat will tell you that meat loses most of its nutrients when cooked. That's why there's been a lot of interest lately in raw diets.
My personal preference is a high-quality kibble. Yorkies don't eat much, so you can buy one of the higher-end foods at a specialty store (say no to grocery store kibble) without it costing an arm and a leg. There are a lot of subpar dog foods out there, including the Science Diet your vet is likely to recommend.
I'm currently feeding Orijen. It's a grain-free kibble that has gotten real good ratings. If you poke around the health and nutrition forum here, you'll see lots of other suggestions. Here's a good place to start:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ing-chart.html
As for how much, I feed my 10-pounder about 1/4 cup twice a day. He also gets some extra calories from treats, specifically Yummy Chummies that you can buy up here. I break them into tiny pieces and use them as a reward for tricks, etc.
I'm told it takes 12 hours for a dog to fully digest its food, so many people recommend two feedings a day.
Since all dogs are different, be sure to weigh yours regularly. If he's gaining, cut back on the portions. If he's losing, increase.
Good luck! And keep in touch! You're the first YorkieTalker I've met from Fairbanks.