Question About Amount of Food for New Puppy - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Cirlonde · 09-16-2012, 10:09 AM

At what point do I start to be concerned about a new puppy possibly not eating enough? Karli is almost 11 weeks old and I'm transitioning her from Royal Canin to Wellness Core (for puppies). The Wellness bag recommends half a cup per day for a dog who weighs between 2-4 pounds and is 12 weeks or less old. Karli hasn't even eaten a whole 1/4 of a cup yet! Is it possible that she doesn't need as much food because Wellness is a higher quality/higher protein than she's used to?

She's pooping/peeing regularly, drinking plenty of water, playing normally, sleeping well but not constantly...she acts perfectly fine and her gums look to be a normal pink. Maybe not quite so dark a pink as Chloe's (my 3 year old), but a far cry from white. Her belly doesn't feel empty like they sometimes will if they've not eaten in a while. I've been giving her a bit of Nutrical a few times a day...could that be making her not want to eat? I've been able to get her to eat between 7-15 pieces of kibble periodically by soaking it in a little water and then laying the pieces out on the floor for her.

Am I just worrying too much since she's not showing any signs of hypoglycemia? We've got her first appointment with the vet on Friday, but I wanted to get opinions sooner than that.

-C

DoloresMus · 09-16-2012, 04:20 PM

I also wondered the same thing. Scout is 12 weeks old and I'm feeding her BB puppy for small breed and it says 1/4 - 1/2 a cup a day. I also mix a little Wellness puppy canned in to give it more flavor, but some days she eats it all and others not. Sometimes she will eat 1/2 of her dish and walk away. It's def frustrating because we want to make sure they have enough. I notice when I hand feed her kibbles, she loves it, but I def don't want to get her in that habit!! Every dog is different and maybe their food needs to be adjusted.

Yorkies are so picky when it comes to food so it can be a problem. I also have Jem, 11 years old, he eats hills prescription W/D because he has always had tummy issues and some days he doesn't even eat his whole cup of kibbles. Ive learned not to sweat it with him because I feel he eats what he needs but I can sympathize with you with the puppy.

I feel as long as they are acting normal and have normal poops it shouldn't be a problem. we still can't help but worry!

msyorktown · 09-16-2012, 04:24 PM

I have three, 2 yorkies and a biewer. My oldest is a Yorkie and I find that she doesn't eat much...she is very healthy. The Biewer and the other yorkie are wonderful eaters. The Biewer is 14wks and I have not a prob with her eating habits...if she seems healthy otherwise I wouldn't worry too much.
As long as she's going potty without any probs, drinking water and somewhat eating, I would think she is fine. It could be that with the higher quality food she doesn't need to eat as much...just keep an eye on her and if any changes get her to the vet...try not to worry too much momma!
Maybe try free feeding her, just leave the food out and let her nibble when she gets hungary.
Your're a good momma for taking such good care of your baby. ((HUGGZZ))
Welcome to YT!

MikaTallulah · 09-17-2012, 07:42 AM

As long as she is active and not losing weight I would not worry. I would not give Nutracal several times a day unless it is needed- To me is is empty calories and sugar- Would you eat real food if mommy was giving you candy? Even as tinies not on my pups had hypoglycemia issues.

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Dogs - VetInfo

LunasMomma · 09-17-2012, 10:27 AM

As long as she is pooping a couple of times a day, happy and active, she's getting enough. Those guidelines on dog food bags tend to be double what's really needed, I've found

If I fed my girls what their food says, they would be Porkies

They've always been free feeders and are the perfect weight, even with getting canned twice a day.

Cirlonde · 09-17-2012, 03:40 PM

Thanks so much everyone! I knew I was probably worrying too much, but it is so hard to tell when they aren't eating because they just aren't hungry and when they aren't going to eat period. However, today has been much better! She's eaten almost a 1/4 cup of her food and just stops when she gets done. She's having normal potty breaks and her stool looks fine...no weird colors and not runny.

Now if I can just get our first Yorkie to be friends with Karli, all will be well!!

Patience...patience!
-C

09-16-2012, 10:09 AM	#1
Cirlonde YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, United States Posts: 402	Question About Amount of Food for New Puppy At what point do I start to be concerned about a new puppy possibly not eating enough? Karli is almost 11 weeks old and I'm transitioning her from Royal Canin to Wellness Core (for puppies). The Wellness bag recommends half a cup per day for a dog who weighs between 2-4 pounds and is 12 weeks or less old. Karli hasn't even eaten a whole 1/4 of a cup yet! Is it possible that she doesn't need as much food because Wellness is a higher quality/higher protein than she's used to? She's pooping/peeing regularly, drinking plenty of water, playing normally, sleeping well but not constantly...she acts perfectly fine and her gums look to be a normal pink. Maybe not quite so dark a pink as Chloe's (my 3 year old), but a far cry from white. Her belly doesn't feel empty like they sometimes will if they've not eaten in a while. I've been giving her a bit of Nutrical a few times a day...could that be making her not want to eat? I've been able to get her to eat between 7-15 pieces of kibble periodically by soaking it in a little water and then laying the pieces out on the floor for her. Am I just worrying too much since she's not showing any signs of hypoglycemia? We've got her first appointment with the vet on Friday, but I wanted to get opinions sooner than that. -C __________________ (`•.¸Proud Momma of Chloe Belle and Karli Sue¸.•´) ~.•* Jersey's Four Leaf Clovers *•.~

09-16-2012, 04:24 PM	#3
msyorktown ♥Love My 3 Furrbutts♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Whitby, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,912 Blog Entries: 2	I have three, 2 yorkies and a biewer. My oldest is a Yorkie and I find that she doesn't eat much...she is very healthy. The Biewer and the other yorkie are wonderful eaters. The Biewer is 14wks and I have not a prob with her eating habits...if she seems healthy otherwise I wouldn't worry too much. As long as she's going potty without any probs, drinking water and somewhat eating, I would think she is fine. It could be that with the higher quality food she doesn't need to eat as much...just keep an eye on her and if any changes get her to the vet...try not to worry too much momma! Maybe try free feeding her, just leave the food out and let her nibble when she gets hungary. Your're a good momma for taking such good care of your baby. ((HUGGZZ)) Welcome to YT! __________________ Jacqui, mom to Raelle , Orion , Jersey and Gizmo https://www.facebook.com/PreciousPawzGroomingSpa http://jlevy.scentsy.ca

09-17-2012, 07:42 AM	#4
MikaTallulah YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 1,812	As long as she is active and not losing weight I would not worry. I would not give Nutracal several times a day unless it is needed- To me is is empty calories and sugar- Would you eat real food if mommy was giving you candy? Even as tinies not on my pups had hypoglycemia issues. Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Dogs - VetInfo __________________ Beware of Nestle Purina Cozy (4/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/08), Lucy (4/09); Buddy 4/09- Rescued 12/11); Mika ('98) & Tallulah ('00) RIP Harley 4/2009; Lucky 11/2010; Zoey 4/2012

09-17-2012, 10:27 AM	#5
LunasMomma Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 8,799	As long as she is pooping a couple of times a day, happy and active, she's getting enough. Those guidelines on dog food bags tend to be double what's really needed, I've found If I fed my girls what their food says, they would be Porkies They've always been free feeders and are the perfect weight, even with getting canned twice a day. __________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna

09-17-2012, 03:40 PM	#6
Cirlonde YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, United States Posts: 402	Thanks so much everyone! I knew I was probably worrying too much, but it is so hard to tell when they aren't eating because they just aren't hungry and when they aren't going to eat period. However, today has been much better! She's eaten almost a 1/4 cup of her food and just stops when she gets done. She's having normal potty breaks and her stool looks fine...no weird colors and not runny. Now if I can just get our first Yorkie to be friends with Karli, all will be well!! Patience...patience! -C __________________ (`•.¸Proud Momma of Chloe Belle and Karli Sue¸.•´) ~.•* Jersey's Four Leaf Clovers *•.~

09-16-2012, 04:20 PM	#2
DoloresMus Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 19	I also wondered the same thing. Scout is 12 weeks old and I'm feeding her BB puppy for small breed and it says 1/4 - 1/2 a cup a day. I also mix a little Wellness puppy canned in to give it more flavor, but some days she eats it all and others not. Sometimes she will eat 1/2 of her dish and walk away. It's def frustrating because we want to make sure they have enough. I notice when I hand feed her kibbles, she loves it, but I def don't want to get her in that habit!! Every dog is different and maybe their food needs to be adjusted. Yorkies are so picky when it comes to food so it can be a problem. I also have Jem, 11 years old, he eats hills prescription W/D because he has always had tummy issues and some days he doesn't even eat his whole cup of kibbles. Ive learned not to sweat it with him because I feel he eats what he needs but I can sympathize with you with the puppy. I feel as long as they are acting normal and have normal poops it shouldn't be a problem. we still can't help but worry!