Ok, so this is how I determined Kaji's perfect portion size. Kaji has really bad LP in both knees, and since weight plays a role on how much discomfort his knees could cause him, I'm diligent on keep him on track. I looked at the bag, as it has a suggested serving size according to weight. It says for a 5 lb dog, it's 1/2 cup of food a day. For a 15 lb dog, it's 1 1/4 cups of food. Kaji is somewhere in between; he is 7 lbs. From weight alone, he could do well on 3/4 up to a full cup of food a day. BUT, we also have to consider lifestyle. Are we active? Does Kaji go out on frequent walks? Do I give him snacks/treats during the day? Do my parents sneak him food?
He only plays inside; I don't walk him as much as I'd like; I do like to feed him fresh veggies and fruits during the day; and unfortunately, YES my parents sneak him food. All of this is extra calories. So, to balance all of that out, and to make sure he is getting most of his nutrition from his kibble, Kaji eats 1/2 a cup of kibble a day. I also made a list of approved foods my parents can give. They give him mostly lettuce (he loves lettuce whites) and bits of apple and cucumber. It took quite a bit of playing around with portion sizes, and knowing Kaji. His knees pop less, so I must be doing something right.
Do you have a set predictable potty schedule for Chevie? Is she strictly outside potty only, or do you have a piddle pad for her?