how much should i feed my yorkie a day?

[kamichanel]

I have a 8 week old, 2.12 lb yorkie. I have been feeding her 1/2 cup of food a day, 4 times a day. Sometimes when she's done she licks the bowl. I've been reading a lot of threads on here and I see that people are feeding their dogs 1/4 cup a day, am I over feeding her?

[C C Kent]

Originally Posted by kamichanel

I have a 8 week old, 2.12 lb yorkie. I have been feeding her 1/2 cup of food a day, 4 times a day. Sometimes when she's done she licks the bowl. I've been reading a lot of threads on here and I see that people are feeding their dogs 1/4 cup a day, am I over feeding her?

Yes, depending on the food you are using, two cups per day is too much for a puppy. If you are using a premium quality food (one that you can't get at Wal-Mart) then you could cut that back to about 1/4 cup twice per day. Changes to feeding should be made based on how the puppy feels to your hand, if he doesn't have any sharp edges he's getting enough to eat.

Asking a puppy if he's hungry is a lot like asking a politician if he wants a stimulus package.

[kamichanel]

Thanks. I'm sorry I think I wrote that wrong, I don't feed her 2 cups per day, I feed her 1/2 cup per day but I instead of feeding her twice I feed her four times. What is the best food to feed her? She came to me on Puppy Chow but I read that that wasn't a good choice of food...I was thinking about Nutro Max but I also read that they were recalling alot of their foods.

[C C Kent]

Originally Posted by kamichanel

Thanks. I'm sorry I think I wrote that wrong, I don't feed her 2 cups per day, I feed her 1/2 cup per day but I instead of feeding her twice I feed her four times. What is the best food to feed her? She came to me on Puppy Chow but I read that that wasn't a good choice of food...I was thinking about Nutro Max but I also read that they were recalling alot of their foods.

You are doing well at 1/2 cup. Make future changes by feeling of the ribs, the top of the hips, and the pocket of fat that is just above the set of the tail. If you keep your puppy trim enough that you can easily feel these points but they aren't sharp to the touch...you are feeding properly. The small pocket of fat should be barely discernable. Being over weight is very hard on their little bones and joints.

I use Royal Canin and I am very happy with it. There are some really good threads on what to feed. You can make a Masters Study on the nutritional values and which one is best. The proof is in the feeding, if your puppy is doing well and having no food problems....

[x-tinkerbelle-x]

My puppy at 8 weeks was fed 4 times a day too - only tiny bit of biscuits and meat mixed together - would of made approx 1/2 cup too. She's grown into a healthy little girl!!! She still gets fed 2 sachets of small dog food a day twice a day (at nearly 1) - she gets hungry, and it seems to suit her best. She is at a healthy weight too! xXx

[RockyandMommy]

Originally Posted by kamichanel

I have a 8 week old, 2.12 lb yorkie. I have been feeding her 1/2 cup of food a day, 4 times a day. Sometimes when she's done she licks the bowl. I've been reading a lot of threads on here and I see that people are feeding their dogs 1/4 cup a day, am I over feeding her?

My male Yorkie is 2 years old and when he was a baby, I had to coax him to eat. Now he is a very unhealthy 8 lbs. and my vet said if I don't get him down to 5 lbs. he's going to have heart and joint issues and not live as long as he would at a healthy weight. Believe me it is a huge struggle to try and get him to lose weight because he cries for food and it breaks my heart.

The suggested amount to feed him is 1/4 per DAY which looks like almost nothing to me. I give him Romaine lettuce in between meals which he loves and it has almost no calories but still, I feel like I'm depriving the little guy.

Part of our problem is that he gets very little exercise because it is snowing and freezing here and he doesn't like to play indoors on our hardwood floors. Please take your dog's eating very seriously and feed him accordingly so you don't wind up having to go through what we're going through. It's very difficult!

Good luck!

[RockyandMommy]

Originally Posted by kamichanel

Thanks. I'm sorry I think I wrote that wrong, I don't feed her 2 cups per day, I feed her 1/2 cup per day but I instead of feeding her twice I feed her four times. What is the best food to feed her? She came to me on Puppy Chow but I read that that wasn't a good choice of food...I was thinking about Nutro Max but I also read that they were recalling alot of their foods.

Check out all of the natural foods at WELLNESS® - Healthy Dog and Cat Food We feed their products to our Yorkie, Morkie and 3 cats and they love it. There's even a reduced calorie formula which we're feeding our chubby Yorkie but all of their foods are high quality, with no imported fillers. If you call the customer service line on the website, they will even mail you free samples and coupons.

[caper4u]

Hello Bob hear I have a 6 month old yorkie a very very fussie eater . But maybe I expect her to eat too much . I 've tryed only 2 kind of foods royal ca nan and now hills . I mix it with wet food as well I feed sadie a cup a day do you think that is too much . She is around 8 lbs .Yes she seams to be doing good on Hill's

[enchilila]

It sounds like you are over-feeding your puppy. Eight pounds at 6 months seems a little heavy to me. I have never fed my dog more than 1/2 cup a day of dry food. She gets a healthy snack each day, like frozen green beans, a few bites of apple without the peel or a few pieces of banana. It has been too hot here to get outside and exercise her a lot so I watch what I feed her. She also has luxating patella in both knees so I try to keep her lean at around 5-1/2 to 6 pounds. Being overweight can cause health problems. The best thing to do would be to have a talk with your vet since he knows your pup. I'm sure others will be along shortly and may be able to help you more.

[caper4u]

Thank you fot your in put . She has me stressed out by not likeing dry food . I should pit her food down and let her look at it for awhile and see if she gives in and eates her food . Ibeleive I only give her the best dry food and yes I only give her veg / fruit for snacks
THANK YOU Bob

[ruby2sday]

I feed dry dog food and leave a full bowl down at all times. I've never had a fat dog. They eat only what they need.

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by ruby2sday

I feed dry dog food and leave a full bowl down at all times. I've never had a fat dog. They eat only what they need.

Sounds good. Works if your dogs is finicky. Worked for my Pom. But never worked for my 2 Yorkies. They will eat a pound of food if its there.Depends on the dog. For a gauge
Dog Food Calculator

With a visual look. You should feel there ribs but not see them. And they should have a waist.

[Mgmena]

I know that the better the food the less you have to give them. For example I give my yorkie 1/2 cup 2x a day of orijen he is 2 years old. I've always given him that same portion since he was a 9 month old puppy. The better the brand the less you need because it has all the right ingredients and protein.

[caper4u]

So what I'm hearing is that a 1/2 cup of food is plenty . With a few healthy snacke in between

[smorton2186]

yep, about 1/2 cup per day, portioned out like 3 or 4 times through the day. I always gave extra kibbles and/or treats to help the puppy pad training process and later to the sort of bribe my little guy to start going on walks.