How many times a day to feed

visualize · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 6:23 pm Post subject: How many times a day to feed

Molly is nearly 8 weeks old , the person we got the dog off said feed her three times a day, yet the puppy books i have say twice once in the mroning and once in the afternoon. Whats your advice on this please?

Eddiesmum · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 6:35 pm Post subject:

I feed Eddie who is 10 weeks 4 times a day and the little so and so still scavenges!! Very Happy

megaloo · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 6:36 pm Post subject:

I personally would feed her 4 times a day until 10 to 12 weeks then 3 times until about 5 months then down to twice. What quantities are you feeding at the moment.?
Because you may be giving her sufficient in quantity it may not be necessary to increase what you are giving her, but divide it into 4 meals instead of 2 if that makes sense. I am sure there are other people like John and Kay who can help. I have not had a puppy for a long time. But I know I always fed 8 week old puppies 4 times a day Regards Meg

antheawad · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject:

I feed my grown up lot twice a day, and if I remember back to when Sasha was an ickle monkey, she definitely had similar to that quoted by Meg.

Splitting the food to twice a day, but lesser portions in each as they got older I found to be good for the metabolism and weight control.

shelley · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:01 pm Post subject:

Hi

Holly is just over 5 months and i am giving her 3 meals a day at the mo. though im hoping to change this to 2 soon. I cant remember exactly when we changed her from 4 feeds to 3...possibly it was at 3 months.. but blimey i cant remember...and it wasnt even that long ago!! Shocked

But certainly two feeds a day at 10 weeks sounds like too much all in 2 sittings.

Best wishes...and im sure better help will come along soon Wink

Shelley

Goldentouch · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:04 pm Post subject:

Leo is 16 weeks and gets 4 meals a day, although im about to reduce that to 3.
Twice a day for a young puppy at 8 weeks sounds too much in one go like Shelly said.
Smile

antheawad · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:17 pm Post subject:

You should be able to approach your breeder for advise also.

Sasha is 8 and a half so you have a long time to get to this point Wink

kayc · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:29 am Post subject:

Hi Shelley

I would recommend that you feed a holistic puppy food until at around 6 months old, and then progress on to an adult maintence diet. Ideally you should be giving 4 feeds daily until your puppy is around 12/14 weeks, which can be reduced to 3 meals until around 26 weeks where you can then reduce to 2 meals and slowly introduce an adult diet The amount fed to a lab can vary, that you will have to judge for yourself, You should aim for a nicely rounded puppy that has enought substance to grow into but is not rolling in fat. Overfeeding puppies can cause serious joint/health problems as can over/under excersise. A raw beef marrowbone every couple of weeks will keep her occupied and clean her teeth well too. Eggs, including shell, fresh fruit and vegetables, make excellent treats. Raw carrots make excellent training treats, great for the teeth and no calories

Remember, puppies are like babies, tummies are very small and require feeding little and often.

shelley · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:21 am Post subject:

KayC

Thanks for that info. As i said when i replied to Shelley was thinking i would need to put my Holly onto 2 feeds soon (she's just over 5 months) and you've answered my unasked question as i wasnt sure when really was the right time to change and also start swapping onto adult food...was going to start trawling previous posts! So many thanks for that Very Happy

Shelley (and Holly)...um..different to Shelley and Molly Laughing

confusing! Wink

visualize · Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 7:13 pm Post subject:

hi thanks for all yoour replies

Mollie i have tried to introduce the fourth meal but she just wont eat it, she just dont seem hungry enough. She is now sleeping though the night till about 6.30am. in fact sometimes she dont finish her tea. she does seem a little small for 8 weeks and i know she was htne smallest of the liter. she is happy though drinking, running around and still sleeping so i dont think there is much wrong wth her. the bredder we got her off said to feed her cornflakes and milk for breakfast, although i dont know whether she should have weetabox instead. i have an appointment at vets on tuesday for injection so i might ask them for some advice. could she just be off her food alittle as she has only been here a week