I've been overfeeding my new puppy for 3 days!!! Oh my gosh, I'm so worried. After a lot of research, I settled on giving him 1/5 - 1/4 of a cup a day to start. I also read that to take it away once he stops eating so I figure that he wouldn't over eat and self-regulate. I looked at the scoop today and what I looked like the 1/8th mark was actually the 1/2 mark. I can't believe I was so dumb. I don't cook or measure anything by cups (in the science field, everything is in mL, no clue what a cup was). So basically, he's been getting a bit less than a cup a day for the past 3 days. Due to me assuming he would stop when he was done, I didn't worry so much. He did stop multiple times when he finished his new food and left his old food so there was no day that he actually ate a whole cup. He's been looking a bit bloated, so I did some more research and found a measuring cup and realized that I have been feeding him way too much. I proportioned his food for the next few days. He's skipping dinner tonight and will be eating slightly less than 1/5th of a cup tomorrow and going back to regular schedule on Monday. Everything is divided into ziplock bags for 3 meals a day. Is there anything else I should do? Do we need a trip to the vet? I can't make it until Monday, but there are some places open tomorrow morning a bit further away. Any advice? He's fine otherwise. Playful as always. |
I think your pup will be fine! I free feed my babies, and let them eat whatever they want, all day long. Mine aren't big eaters, and sometimes I have to hand feed them to get them to eat, but over eating for a couple of days is not really a big deal I wouldn't think. Good luck with your little one! |
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Welcome to YT. I am not sure about how much to feed because I free feed my girls. They are in no way shape or form overweight. You did state that he did stop eating a few times so I do not see a problem with what you were doing. I am not sure how old he is but do not skip meals to get him on a schedule. If he is a puppy he needs his food. You say he looks a little bloated. Has he pooped? Has he been dewormed? If not then yes a vet visit is indeed necessary. Keep us posted. |
I do not believe you can over feed a young puppy...perhaps with human food, but not kibble etc...all puppies I have had eat until they are full and stop..eat again when they are hungry. Some breeders limit food for whatever reason and the litter tends to compete for food.. once they go to the new owner they may tend to eat too much for a few weeks until they realize they do not have to compete for food...relax and enjoy your puppy. |
I think age plays a really big factor. I would free feed a puppy, since his growing body needs more nutrition. But I would feed an adult on a schedule if that is the human's preference. I schedule feed my 2 year old boy, and I measure every portion. It works for us. |
He's 9 1/2 weeks now. 1.5 pounds. He had his first deworm 1.5 weeks ago. He pooped this morning and looks a lot better than last night. He's belly was a bit bloated last night. He just moved in on Wednesday, so I know there's been a big shock to his body while introducing new food too. He went potty a couple of times last night and is hopefully doing a lot better. Is free-feeding okay for little pups? Not sure if they have their regulators set up yet. |
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I agree :thumbup::thumbup: |
I free feed also and I think for a puppy - you should leave the food out at all times. I don't think that a puppy can overeat. I wouldn't worry - all's good. |
You cant overfeed, they are growing and will only eat what they need |
I would not worry at all!!!! Even if he did eat too much for a couple of days it is better than underfeeding him. I have just changed from free feeding my dogs.. I have a shih tuz who would eat the whole bag of kibble if I let him!!!! I am guessing different breeds react differently. He is over weight so I have to get with the program. I just wanted to add: My vet said NOT to free feed yorkie puppies. He is very experienced with Yorkies so I do respect what he is saying. His point is that Yorkies are not good eaters.. they will become disinterested if the food is left out and that is when hypoglycemia could happen. Of course I always kept nutracal on hand for that reason. So..... do not skip a meal with your puppy.. this could cause a serious drop in sugar and cause hypoglycemia. Good luck |
Never skip a meal. I would suggest free feeding, making sure he has food (hard kibble) and water available. I find puppies will just take a kibble here and there, play with it and then eat it, so I like them to have it available to avoid any issues. |
You've gotten a lot of great advise, just remember that you can't overfeed a puppy, if you use a kibble, that's one of the advantages of kibble. They eat just enough. Some dogs with eating disorders will overeat, but you don't have to worry about that for at least 6 months. Puppies are supposed to have a bit of a tummy, they go through growing spurts the first few months, and some days will eat much more than other days, let them decide how much to eat during the first 6 months. Have you had a puppy check with the vet yet, worms can also cause a big tummy. Joey's breeder said to have food available 24/7 the first 6 months, you will help prevent hypoglycemia by doing this. I agree that free feeding makes them less interested in food, but they will eat enough to prevent hypoglycemia. |
Let the puppy eat. I don't worry about obesity til my babies are 2. Enjoy your pup. |
I also free feed my 2. I have done so since they have been young puppies. i have never had any weight problems either. Just remember to always keep fresh water down for the puppy to drink when thirsty. |
Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm considering free-feeding but I'm not sure how to get him into it from a 3-time a day schedule. I figure the quality of the food makes a difference. The previous owner was giving him some Costco brand which doesn't have as much proper nutrients. I'm working Orijen into his diet which packs a lot more per cup. As far as today went. He wasn't free-fed, but was fed as much as puppy calculators out there have said, and he's a lot less bloated, but a bit gassy (probably due to the switch). Thanks everyone for the advice. I really like him eating on a schedule, but free feeding would be a lot easier. |
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