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-   -   Vet say feeding 3 month old pup 45 kibbles a day is over feeding. (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/284650-vet-say-feeding-3-month-old-pup-45-kibbles-day-over-feeding.html)

matese 08-09-2015 03:22 AM

Vet say feeding 3 month old pup 45 kibbles a day is over feeding.
 



Again, I am posting for a friend that has no computer, new puppy, and worries.
she bought a 8 week old Shih Tzu / Bichon mix last month, pup is now 3 month old.
She is feeding the puppy Iams puppy food, this is what the puppy was eating when she bought him, she does not measure food, uses the palm of her hand, kibble is a bit bigger than a pea but flat, she feeds 3 times a day, I told her she needs to free feed the puppy. (Puppy weighs 3.9 Lbs), she said the puppy gobbles up the food, he is always hungry, she said the vet told her if she is feeding the puppy 15 kibbles 3 times a day she is over feeding the pup. I know free feeding is advised, my concern is puppy will gobble up entire bowl then throw it up from over eating too fast. I suggested counting out 15 kibbles and feed every 3 hours (9AM-12-3-6 and 9pm). I don’t know how big or how small the kibble size is. I don’t want to mis-advise her, but feeding a 3 month old puppy less the 45 kibbles a day???? What are your ideas.
Any advice, suggestions I will pass over to her

Wylie's Mom 08-09-2015 05:50 AM

According to a pet food calculator (this one), this pup should be getting btwn 1-1.3 cups of food per day.

Yorkiemom1 08-09-2015 08:33 AM

When I first got into buying Yorkies and starting a breeding program years ago, I encountered people that used feeding to control the pups growth. This was a concept that was unheard of to me....but people would encourage feeding a distinct number of kibble pieces, a certain number of times a day. Investigation into this practice soon was explained to me (by people with many, many years with experience in breeding)this was a common way used to stunt the growth of a puppy, so it would remain "a teacup" or a small male that would be a "great breeding dog that was a tiny male, thus throwing small puppies, which are certainly more popular with buyers"!!! I was stunned with the stunts pulled to keep a pup "small in size, even into adulthood". I personally do not believe this is the way to operate. I am not an advocate of using food to stunt a dogs growth, so it remains small and "adorable". Size is determined by the dog's genetic make-up...you can stunt growth, but in my opinion, that is cruel.

After a pup has reached his potential, during the first 10-12 months of his life, then I believe you can adjust his diet as needed to keep the correct weight on the dog. NEVER use food to limit a dog's growth, and that is exactly what many "breeders" advocate, unbeknownst to buyers that just have no idea what this "breeder" is ACTUALLY controlling. But this practice of stunting a pups potential by severely limiting his nourishment, is in MY opinion, cruel. Pups must be fed a proper amount of a proper diet, in order for the dog to develop and mature to his fullest potential. I do not believe in limiting intake until the pup has stopped growing (8-12 months old), bones/joints are set, brains are firing on all cylinders, and nourishment is then directed toward maintaining the wonderful structure, wonderful healthy youngster, full of energy and vitality.

I free feed all my pups, and I have never had a puppy that was overweight! They may eat all day long, when the mood strikes them, but the boundless energy and all the growth and developing that is going on in all those muscles, tissues, bones, brains, organs, etc., demands the proper nutrition to make that pup the absolute best it was designed by genetics, to be.

lilyorkiemilo 08-09-2015 09:06 AM

I do not free feed my pup but I do use the feeding guideline on the bag as a starting point for how much to feed according to my pups weight. Some days he eats more and some days he eats less but I regulate it according to his appetite. I would definitely choose free feeding over counting out kibble.

Magnus 08-09-2015 12:07 PM

I didn't free feed either Magnus/Zoey. But I did feed them small amounts 5 times a day for few months and slowly cut down the numbers while increasing the amount slightly to make up for it.

Seems to work out well for me...

capt_noonie 08-09-2015 01:14 PM

I think pups should eat as much as the want while they are still young. Kibble though, no treats or people food.

Yorkiemom1 08-09-2015 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_noonie (Post 4583193)
I think pups should eat as much as the want while they are still young. Kibble though, no treats or people food.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

matese 08-09-2015 04:13 PM

Thank you all.
I will tell her to free feed, I just hope this pup does not get sick due to he eats soooo fast. Also going to tell her to find another vet.
Again.....Thank you all

buddybear 08-09-2015 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matese (Post 4583221)
Thank you all.
I will tell her to free feed, I just hope this pup does not get sick due to he eats soooo fast. Also going to tell her to find another vet.
Again.....Thank you all

Great wisdom.

I thought this vet was off his rocker. :confused:This is a larger dog than a yorkie or chi.

Parti Peanut 08-09-2015 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matese (Post 4583221)
Thank you all.
I will tell her to free feed, I just hope this pup does not get sick due to he eats soooo fast. Also going to tell her to find another vet.
Again.....Thank you all

I know they make a special bowl to slow down dogs that gobble their food. What about feeding in a kong? It takes Peanut a little time to get the food out of those.

Yorkiemom1 08-09-2015 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matese (Post 4583221)
Thank you all.
I will tell her to free feed, I just hope this pup does not get sick due to he eats soooo fast. Also going to tell her to find another vet.
Again.....Thank you all

He may be eating like that because he is starving to death!! Once he sees that he does not have to inhale small portions a limited time during the day, going from day to day hungry, he may just slow down and enjoy his food....poor soul is starving to death and he inhales his food when it hits the floor! If he continues to inhale his kibble, there are bowls made specifically to prevent this.

gemy 08-11-2015 07:08 AM

I like to measure food and feed at appropriate intervals. But 45 pieces of kibble sounds like way too little for a 3.9 lb dog. Don't know why and or how the vet came up with that.


I would be feeding this dog 3/4 to 1 cup of kibble a day and taking frequent note of his body condition. And adjust the food up or down depending upon his condition.


My dogs get or can get a varied amount of food a day - dependent on their activity level. Very active day then amount for the large dogs is bumped up by 1/2 lb and for the wee one about 1/4 cup.

MaWilliams3 08-11-2015 08:26 AM

Bruiser is recommended to have a cup and half of kibble a day. He only eats half of that. No people food and only low cal training treats. Is there a way to bump up his intake? I put out the recommended amount but it'll last nearly 48 hours in his bowl.

capt_noonie 08-11-2015 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parti Peanut (Post 4583237)
I know they make a special bowl to slow down dogs that gobble their food. What about feeding in a kong? It takes Peanut a little time to get the food out of those.

That's a good idea. I also read that simply putting a few small balls in the bowl will make them slow down while they eat. I should actually try that with Toto. :)

gemy 08-11-2015 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaWilliams3 (Post 4583583)
Bruiser is recommended to have a cup and half of kibble a day. He only eats half of that. No people food and only low cal training treats. Is there a way to bump up his intake? I put out the recommended amount but it'll last nearly 48 hours in his bowl.

\\


There are a number of things you can try. Add some grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over his food. Feed him after exercising him so that hopefully he is hungry. Add some warm liquid to his kibble and let the kibble soften before feeding him.


This is one of the reasons I don't like free feeding - if food is always available dogs often can turn up fussy noses at it.


And if he is not skinny and a good weight maybe he is eating enough for his frame and metabolism. We have a good thread somewhere here on what an in shape dog looks like - but basically from above looking down on your dog you should be able to see his *waist*. In touching him ribs should be easily felt - but not really visible (except for a few certain breeds). Muscles should feel toned and easily palpable


I don't know how much your boy weighs mine weighs as an adult 6-61/4 pounds. He gets a little more than 1/2 c of raw a day - plus training treats. It is only on our most active days he would get a cup or a cup and 1/2.


These are all things I have heard on here - I have been blessed with healthy eaters who would never think to turn up a nose at food! I know my dogs are unwell when they turn down food!


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