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How many times a day should they eat? i tried to do a search, but couldn't find anything that applied. i'm sorry if this is a repeat. howie will be 4 months old on november 1st. he's been eating a lot more lately and i know he's growing, so it may be normal, but he is also gaining weight quickly (he went from 2 lbs 11 oz to 3 lbs 5 oz in about 3 weeks time...normal?). so, i'm wondering how many times a day i should feed him. the only concern for me is, i can't come home during the day and i leave really early and don't come home from work until evening. i'm not sure if he'll be okay w/o food for that much time. also, his body is about 9 inches long already. i don't want to starve him, but am i over feeding him? i leave food out for him to eat as he pleases. usually the food will not be gone when i get home, now it is. or should i put a smaller amount before i leave? any suggestions are greatly appreciated! thanks. |
He probably needs to eat three times a day at this age. If he will eat dry food, you can leave a dish of that out for him. Put 1/4 c or so in the dish so you can tell how much he is eating. That is what I do when I can't get home at noon to feed Gracie. |
They are a lot like human babies. They have growth spurts and need to eat more and then will slow down and not want to eat as much. If you aren't feeding him things he shouldn't have like unhealthy human food, I wouldn't worry about a puppy gaining weight. Adults are a different matter and then often it is the wrong foods and not enough exercise that are making them fat. You are gone a long time, I would leave the food down to free feed. I would leave down as much as he needs, he is getting bigger so he will eat more. |
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no human food, at all! i've made it a rule w/ everyone i visit and see. haha, i tell them, it makes my life easier and they don't have to live w/ him or see him get sick, or have runny poo, heheh. but, i'm currently feeding him dry food only (eukanuba, small breed). when i think of it, i think i put more than 1/4 a cup before i go to work. sometimes there is some left if a put a lot, and he'll finish it up for dinner. i guess i'm worried he won't have enough food, so i add extra. but, hopefully if i'm not feeding him other things, he won't have a weight problem. do you think his weight gain is normal? the vet hasn't said anything, but i don't want them to tell me he has a problem, i want to detect it first! or am i just overthinking it and hoping he'll be a little one! :p |
I always have food and water out for my babies:D They seem to eat only what their little body requires:D |
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I do some homecooking for Gus so I am not against all human foods. It just has to be the right kind and it can make some dogs not want to eat anything else. But back to you. :D What is your idea of small? If I'm reading it right, he was almost three pounds at three months? I would guess he will be around six pounds. Just a guess though, they often surprise us. If he is going to be six pounds he is going to be six pounds. You don't want to hold back food if he needs it. I'm not suggesting you would. I'm just saying you might think he is eating to eat instead of eating because he requires it. :) |
i totally agree. i just feel for me, it's easier if i don't give howie any human food at all. first, i don't cook home cooked meals every day, second, it's a lot cheaper to just buy his dry food and i know he's getting what he needs, and three, worrying if i gave him the wrong thing. a LOT of the things i hear people feeding their babies sounds really good and perfectly healthy, but i'm a bum bum and can't even cook for myself every day!! no no, i understand. i don't think you're suggesting i won't feed him because i want to keep him small, but you are right when you say i'm worried he's eating just to eat. but, they don't do that right? (sorry if i sound very naive about this all, he's my first puppy). he just seems to be growing so quickly; but i say the same thing about my niece, so i'm sure it's totally normal. and yes, according to the chart, i believe he'll be around 6 lbs, which isn't big at all. just worried about him i guess. if he's in between his parents size, he will be about 5-6 lbs. thanks for all the replies, i really appreciate it. i LOVE yorkietalk!!! i'm glad i found it. hehehe. Quote:
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I was afraid you thought he might be almost done growing already and only be about four pounds. I can only speak for my dogs but they do not overeat dry dog food. Especially, my yorkie. Even treats he will often hide and save for another day. They would probably gorge themselves on steak but I'm not going to test that theory. :D |
I asked similar question before. See below http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57487 |
A 4 months old puppy should be allowed as much as he or she need . Nutrition is very important during puppyhood . |
I free feed my girls...Lillie is a growing puppy..and Sadie likes to nibble from time to time...Sadie has never been a good eater so leaving kibbles down for her is a must...Lillie on the other hand has been a very good eater since day one but, she will only eat if she is hungry... |
I feed Cozy three times a day but she does not always eat everything. Her appetiate flactuates with the day. All the food ends up eaten though because as soon as she walks away from the bowl one of the cats or the golden retriever is waiting.:D |
I free feed Maggie... she's 8 months old and I can tell you she is a eater!!!:eek: But she's not fat at all and full of energy... maybe that's why I notice she is getting heavy but doesn't have body fat... muscles are heavier than fat... LOL...:D Katiuscia & Maggie:littleang |
My yorkie's name is Howie too!!!! How did you come up with your name?? I think we're the only two on here with that name. Check the bag.. it will tell you what the proper amount at what weight they should be eating. But for the most part, I wouldn't restrict food from such a young puppy. It's been my experience that yorkies don't usually overeat. |
I just leave a bowl full of food and water and they take little bites and sips as they walk by:rolleyes: |
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Yes, hopefully he doesn't overeat. I leave him at home in a playpen for the day, so hopefully he's not eating just because he's bored. :p I MISS his little face already!! Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. |
Puppies often eat more than grown dogs -- because they are growing... And - for sure - puppies do grow fast. If you think about it - they grow from tiny tiny little things to "full grown" the first year of their life. Most people don't reach their adult size until they are 17 or 18 - and sometimes even older. I think you're lucky to have a dog with a good appetite. You can always keep an eye on his weight - not what he weighs - but whether or not he's getting overweight (a little fat!) Then you'll know it's time to start cutting back a little. Carol Jean |
My pup's been growing quickly... Seeemed everytime we went for a shot at the vet he'd gained close to a pound in between! He went from 1 1/2 lbs at 2 months old to over 4 lbs at over 5 months. Which really IS a pound per month... He's not fat though, he's slowing down right now, I think, he used to eat a little more, about 1/2 cup daily of dry food. Now sometimes he doesn't finish, but he always has kibble in his bowl... |
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My Howie is at home in a playpen too with his food and he usually doesn't even eat it if I'm not home. You're lucky that your little one is still eating. Howie had a great appetite up until he was 6 months. Now it's a struggle to get him to eat. Some days I have to sit on the floor and feed him kibble by kibble. So count your blessings!! Have a very happy turkey day!! |
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