Feeding a puppy

[JesseNJames]

My parents have a 7 month old, 7lb Affenpinscher puppy. They have had her since she was about 2.5-3 months old and she has gained weight at a good pace ever since (according to the vet). My dad called me last night in a panic b/c he thinks that she is suddenly eating way to much...as in that morning she ate one small bowl and so he refilled it and she gobbled that down too. They have always just left food out for her and refilled as needed. But suddenly my dad seems to think she is eating much more then before. She is being fed and has always been fed Royal Canine MINI Canine Health Nutrition Puppy 33. The bag suggests 5/8 of a cup daily...so to me that says a little over half of a cup a day...that doesn't seem like much to me. SO my question is how much should she be eating and how often? Should the food be taken away from her and only put down at specific meal times? Thanks so much for all your help in advance!

 

[Cowgirl]

My parents have a 7 month old, 7lb Affenpinscher puppy. They have had her since she was about 2.5-3 months old and she has gained weight at a good pace ever since (according to the vet). My dad called me last night in a panic b/c he thinks that she is suddenly eating way to much...as in that morning she ate one small bowl and so he refilled it and she gobbled that down too. They have always just left food out for her and refilled as needed. But suddenly my dad seems to think she is eating much more then before. She is being fed and has always been fed Royal Canine MINI Canine Health Nutrition Puppy 33. The bag suggests 5/8 of a cup daily...so to me that says a little over half of a cup a day...that doesn't seem like much to me. SO my question is how much should she be eating and how often? Should the food be taken away from her and only put down at specific meal times? Thanks so much for all your help in advance!

I don't like to free feed my dogs. Why don't they feed the recommended amount for her age/weight on the bag of food. I'd feed at least twice per day. I know 5/8 of a cup doesn't sound like much, but it's a very small dog.

 

[jp2854]

that is what i do with bruno feed her 2x a day she gets 2c's in the am between 7 and 830am i feed her and only give her 15min to eat and what she doesn't eat goes in the fridge til later in the day and 2.5 to 3c's in the pm at 5 or 515pm and in 15min she has the whole dish gobbled up. the bag says she should be eating 10cups a day well bruno is a large breed dog but doesn't weigh that much (90+lbs). The vet said she is fine the way she is and if she gained too much weight at once she would end up with hip problems as the breed she is is prone to them.

 

[CRoyal]

My parents have a 7 month old, 7lb Affenpinscher puppy. They have had her since she was about 2.5-3 months old and she has gained weight at a good pace ever since (according to the vet). My dad called me last night in a panic b/c he thinks that she is suddenly eating way to much...as in that morning she ate one small bowl and so he refilled it and she gobbled that down too. They have always just left food out for her and refilled as needed. But suddenly my dad seems to think she is eating much more then before. She is being fed and has always been fed Royal Canine MINI Canine Health Nutrition Puppy 33. The bag suggests 5/8 of a cup daily...so to me that says a little over half of a cup a day...that doesn't seem like much to me. SO my question is how much should she be eating and how often? Should the food be taken away from her and only put down at specific meal times? Thanks so much for all your help in advance!

Royal C is a dense food, so less is required to meet the needs of a small puppy. Going by the bag is the best bet, free feeding can lead to a lot of problems. Not all dogs can self regulate and it sounds like this one can't. Measure and limit, and keep it on a schedule. Divide up the amount she should get into 2 feedings is my suggestion.
It doesn't sound like they have to worry about her not eating it.

 

[aubriana]

My parents have a 7 month old, 7lb Affenpinscher puppy. They have had her since she was about 2.5-3 months old and she has gained weight at a good pace ever since (according to the vet). My dad called me last night in a panic b/c he thinks that she is suddenly eating way to much...as in that morning she ate one small bowl and so he refilled it and she gobbled that down too. They have always just left food out for her and refilled as needed. But suddenly my dad seems to think she is eating much more then before. She is being fed and has always been fed Royal Canine MINI Canine Health Nutrition Puppy 33. The bag suggests 5/8 of a cup daily...so to me that says a little over half of a cup a day...that doesn't seem like much to me. SO my question is how much should she be eating and how often? Should the food be taken away from her and only put down at specific meal times? Thanks so much for all your help in advance!

I have a 3 month old puppy and the vet just told me you should not let dogs "free feed" like you do with cats. She said put the food down and allow 20 min. for the puppy to eat and then pull the food up until next feeding.

 

[Cowgirl]

I have a 3 month old puppy and the vet just told me you should not let dogs "free feed" like you do with cats.

I don't give my cats food free-choice either. I'd have walking blobs if I did that.

 

[tazzman]

I feed my dogs 2x day. They seem happy with that. I have one that would eat all day if I left the food out for them. they are at a good weight, one should lose a few pounds.

 

[SA475]

A friend of mine told me a story about his friend who "free fed" their dog and told me the following story.... Apparently, the little guy was extremely hungry one day and after eating the food in the bowl, it apparently knocked over the bag of dog food. It ate about half the food in the bag was thirsty, so it drank a bunch of water. The water caused the food in the stomach to expand and rupture the stomach - killing the dog. Sad story I know... I'm not a Vet, so I cannot say whether it's 100% true or not.