Just got a puppy. Feeding Question....?

There should be a feeding chart on the bag according to weight, I would go by that.

First, stop feeding her Puppy Chow. It is one of the lowest quality foods out there. If you read the ingredients, you will see Corn products, and soy products and very little meat products. This is bad. Dogs can not digest these types of fillers. The first five ingredients are: Whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, brewers rice, soybean meal. (From their website.)

What I recommend would be Chicken Soup for the Puppy Lover's Soul. It runs around $23 for an 18 lb bag. Before you have a heart attack over the price, realize that this food has NO fillers and all human grade ingredients. Because of the quality of the Chicken Soup, you feed the puppy less, because she needs less, and it actually ends up costing you the same, or less to use the better food. The first five ingredients of this food is Chicken, Turkey, Chicken meal, Turkey Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice. (I am holding the bag.)

If you were feeding her Chicken Soup, you would only feed her about 1 1/3 cups to 2 1/4 cups a day (I am guessing the puppy is between 5 and 10 lbs.) If you were feeding the Puppy Chow, you should be feeding 1 3/4 to 4 3/4 cups a day, since the puppy is a large breed. (per their website) Just by looking at these numbers, you would be feeding the puppy around 2 cups less per day.

Another plus to feeding a higher quality food over a store brand food is that if you are feeding less, she will have to "potty" less. She will also have less diarrhea and less gas.

I hope I answered your question. Good luck with your new puppy!

As much as she's eating she might be nutrient starved. I can't stress to you enough the importance of high quality dog food! I'm not trying to criticize you, I was just the same boat. I just got a puppy too, I've had her for almost 2wks now. I had the same questions about feedings, so I did some research. What I found was absolutly disgusting! Please please please read about dog food and what it's actually made of! I hit the stores (walmart and Petsmart) after learning what to look for and read all the labels. I left empty handed. The healthy stuff is sold at smaller pet stores. I found a holistic pet store nearby. I read all the labels there too. I found Orijen to be the absolute best. Better than all the other brands highly recommended including Canidae. Canidae is still a good brand, so is Innova, Holistic Select, Natural Balance, Nutro, and NU Vet Plus. I hope you read about it. I was shocked! And I thought I had been feeding her the good stuff (Iams)! And I thought Science Diet was really good stuff! Nope. It's BAD! I feed my puppy 3 times a day, 2 cups a day. The bag will tell you how much, how much a dog is fed goes by the weight. good luck, and research it !!!!! It should explain everything.

Congrats on the new baby.

Some advice - NO puppy chow. You seem to be a very concerned puppy parent so start off on the right food. Feed your dog a large breed formula of premium puppy food. (I always suggest Nutro Natural Choice)

Benefits:

1. They guarantee a healthy skin and coat

2. They guarantee the puppy/dog will love it

3. They guarantee digestitbility - the dog will absorb more vitamins and minerals so you can feed less, the dog will be fuller longer and smaller stools (especially when the dog gets really big)

4. The food has glucosamine and chondroitin in it which lubricates joints - preventing arthritis and dysplasia which large dogs tend to get because of all the weight.

5. The large breed puppy formula has a controlled growth formula that even though it promotes the growth of a large healthy dog the dog won't get to big to fast. When the dog gets to big to fast the bones are unable to support the weight because they aren't completely developed - making the dog more prone to joint and bone problems

6. Antioxidents to support immune system, nervous system, brain fuction, etc

7. No by products like feet heads feathers or intestine

8. No corn because its very hard to digest.

9 SO MUCH MORE

I know I sound like a commercial - sorry. But if you knew something wonderful and highly beneficial wouldn't you share it with everyone too??

Look on the side of the bag for feeding instructions. A puppy is always going to be hungry - thier like garbage disposals and labs especially regardless of how old they are, are like garbage disposals LOL.

The feeding amount is determined by thier weight. There should be instructions.

Oh..and refrain from the canned stuff. It gets stuck in the teeth and rots and decays them.

Good Luck and Congrats again.

Well, you first need to refer to the size and feeding chart on the food bag to determine what portion is appropriate for a puppy the age and size of yours. Now the food bags are initially pretty good guidelines, but when you go in for shots, you should consult your vet on this as well. With my Border Collie puppy, because this is such an active and high energy breed, the vet suggested we feed a little bit more than the recommended amount on the bag. So you really need to check with your vet to verify what is appropriate for your puppy.

Also, at this age, our vet had us feeding 4 times a day. By 3 months, we took it down to 3 times and by 4 months, 2 times a day, which is the normal feeding schedule for our adult dogs.

sounds like and okay amount. But it depends on two things, age and weight. You can find out her weight this way- get on a scale and weight yourself, then pick up the dog and step on the scale again. Subtract your weight alone from the weight of you & the dog. There's usually info on the side of the dog food bag telling you how much to feed for that age & weight. If not, add the details of her weight and I'll check the side of my dog food bag and let you know. It's usually about the same through brands.

PS. Make sure she's eatting puppy food for the first year. That'll give her nutrients that regular adult dog food can't.

OK, so follow what the bag says but listen here. With Labs having hip displacement issues it is good to not feed it puppy food alone. Mix it with adult food as well. Maybe a 80 20 mix and slowly make the transfer to adult food sooner than the bag might say. All the good stuff for puppies in there food also makes them grow faster than they should (in large breeds) so the muscle does not wrap around the bones as much as if you slow down the growth. The will still reach the same size as they would just not as fast and have much stronger muscles for their health. Also take your lab swimming this helps the hips a lot too.

Check the label, foods and serving sizes vary based on the brand.

Below is a link for an excellent all natural food food for your new puppy. Don't feed your new puppy food that you would not eat yourself, always read the ingredients.

PS- Corn Products = no good!

http://www.bluebuff.com/

Our vet told us when we got our pup that the food bag is a good rule of thumb to go by, but to be cautious with it - dog food companies are in it to sell dog food and will most likely recommend that you feed your pup more than she needs. The advice that he gave us for knowing if we're feeding him enough (or too much) is what he calls "the rib test" - run your hands down your dog's sides. You should be able to feel her ribs easily, but not see her ribs. If you have to press too firmly on her sides, then she's getting too much food. You'll get the feel quickly for how much food is enough.

We have been praised by our vet fort maintaining a healthy weight for our dog since we've had him, and truthfully, he eats about half of what the bag says he should be eating. Again, try not to get too caught up with what the bag says - do what's best for your puppy!

If you are still in doubt, don't be afraid to ask your vet when you take her in for her vaccinations.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Give it to her 3 times a day. Or some treats. Remember she's a growing girl. Whatever you do, limit the intake of water. If they drink too much at one time they can get bloat. It's where the bladder flips, no cure, then you have to put them down. I'm an ex military k-9 handler, I had dogs in Saudi Arabia, Texas, etc. It is very hot in these places, I only gave my dog a little bit of water from my canteen at a time. Don't give the dog too little, but make sure it's not too much!