Question for those who home cook for their dogs
 

I have a vet appt. for my boys next week and will ask then, but I am wondering if I'm feeding them enough. I feed each of them three times a day, and Jake gets about 1/2 Cup total for the day. He is 4 1/2 lbs. and seems completely satisfied with how much he's eating. Jackson is 8 mos. old and 6 1/2 lbs., and he gets about 3/4 Cup total for the day since he's a little bigger and still a puppy. They also get healthy treats and snacks like Cheerios, Yorkie Yummies, bits of fresh fruit and veggies.

These amounts were fine for both of them until recently. Jackson just seems hungry ALL the time. When I give him his food, he gulps it down. I started spreading the food out more, which makes him eat a little slower. He's not overweight at all, and he is very active. He just always seems to want more, but I don't want to overfeed him and take a chance on making him sick. He was not like this until about a week ago. My thinking is that now that the weather is nicer, he's outside playing alot more and we go for walks. So, maybe he needs more because he is more active? If he needs more, then I certainly have no problem giving him more. I just want to make sure it's not too much.

What amounts do you feed per day? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!:)

I feed about 150-180 calories per day and that is about to go up to 300 because Ellie is losing weight again. Ellie's vet wants her to eat when she is hungry since she is so skinny. Her metabolism is very fast.

150 calories is probably somewhere between 1/2 and 1 cup.
Ellie is just over 5 pounds.


Are you supplementing?

Buddy get's feed twice a day.
1/4 c kibble and fresh chicken at 6:30am
1/4 c kibble and fresh chicken and veg at 6:00pm
He's 15lbs and that seems enough for him. That's what
the label on his food states. His size 1/2c per day or a little more
but I split it between two meals.
Of couse 1-2 treat's in the evening and one before I leave in the am.
He also would eat all day if I allowed him.

My maltese is about 4 lbs and she eats quite a bit. I don't restrict her food. If she's hungry I feed her.
Same thing goes for my 11lb yorkie. If he acts hungry, I feed him more.
Are you giving enough protein or enough calories?
What exactly are you feeding?
Nutrition facts, calories in food, labels, nutritional information and analysis – NutritionData.com
You can use this website to determine the number of calories in each of the foods that you are feeding.
A small dog should typically get 40 Calories per pound of weight. More if they are active, less if they are inactive.

Hi,
I feed 1T per pound of weight--or per pound of desired weight. For example--I have two chi mixes that both are chubby gals--they need to be around 10# at target weight--I feed them each 9 T a day--3 at each feeding--and feed a balanced diet. When they reach their goal--will increase to 10T. My Yorkie is 7# and he gets 7 Tablespoons a day. They get mostly protein--then veggies--then fruit--and very few carbs. Hope that helps.

That is what I follow, 40 calories per pound of weight. I have several recipes that I use. I follow the guidelines in Dr. Pitcairn's book, and I have found recipes online. I think I will start giving him a little more if he wants it. I think that he has been so much more active lately because we have been playing outside alot, and that is why he seems hungrier. He sure loves his food!:)

That's so great!! I love when they have great appetites :)

SOunds like Layla. She does NOT eat a lot in the winter but she doesn't DO a lot in the winter.. now with spring.. she eats 3-4 times a day.. probably 1/4-1/2 or a bit more per day.. and she weighs 6.4 lbs. Layla is able to tell us when she is hungry and when she is full she stops. We are lucky that she wont' just eat food becuase it is there...

Oh, me too!!:) I am so lucky with my boys being good eaters! I am enjoying the home cooking a lot!

I increased his food by 1/4 for his evening meal, and he seemed satisfied with that.:) He just needs more fuel for all that energy he burns outside!:D