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11-21-2006, 07:28 PM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 93
| 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. |
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11-21-2006, 07:36 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sequim, Wa
Posts: 4,541
| 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.
__________________ Gracie loves Bailey. Holly loves Tucker. Proud member of the YT Gracie Girls. |
11-21-2006, 07:37 PM | #3 |
Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
| 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.
__________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW |
11-21-2006, 07:38 PM | #4 | |
Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida
Posts: 8,799
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__________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna | |
11-21-2006, 07:43 PM | #5 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 93
| 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! |
11-21-2006, 07:48 PM | #6 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort Hood, Texas
Posts: 2,107
| I always have food and water out for my babies They seem to eat only what their little body requires |
11-21-2006, 08:04 PM | #7 | |
Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
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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. 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.
__________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW Last edited by Itspuppyluv; 11-21-2006 at 08:06 PM. | |
11-21-2006, 08:14 PM | #8 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 93
| 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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11-21-2006, 08:33 PM | #9 | |
Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
| Quote:
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.
__________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW | |
11-21-2006, 08:46 PM | #10 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 218
| I asked similar question before. See below http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57487 |
11-22-2006, 01:55 AM | #11 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 2,999
| A 4 months old puppy should be allowed as much as he or she need . Nutrition is very important during puppyhood . |
11-22-2006, 07:03 AM | #12 |
My furkids Donating Member | 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...
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11-22-2006, 07:07 AM | #13 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ
Posts: 1,812
| 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. |
11-22-2006, 07:43 AM | #14 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rio Grande do Sul - BRAZIL
Posts: 1,054
| I free feed Maggie... she's 8 months old and I can tell you she is a eater!!! 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... Katiuscia & Maggie |
11-22-2006, 08:49 AM | #15 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 695
| 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.
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