Bacon is 14 weeks old and lean and strong at about 33 lbs but I have some questions regarding feeding advice.

I currently feed twice a day and give Bacon about 1 1/3 cup in the morning and the same in the afternoon. It takes him 2 minutes to finish his bowl. We usually moisten the food to avoid bloat.
During the day he usually gets 6 baby carrots, some loose pieces of kibble, other treats such as puppy milkbones (about 7) as well as all the water he can drink.

My vet suggests to leave the food out for about 20 minutes and measure how much he eats and use that a measure for 3 meals a day. I imagine the boy won't stop eating until he pukes.

My brother-in-law suggest a cup in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. He had a sheepdog, among other pets, that has lived way past life-expectancy on this lean schedule. This seems a little inadequate.

The bag of Eukanuba suggests 4 3/4 to 5 3/4 cups a day. This seems way to much. I guess they need to sell more food.

Is food measure a 'common-sense' issue and I need to see how Bacon is actually doing or should I be following a more strict plan?????

I disagree with your vet. My dog has NEVER taken longer than 3 minutes to inhale his food, regardless of the quantity. If I gave him all he could eat in 20 minutes, he would eat a 40 lb bag. This is NOT unusual behavior for labs. So forget that idea.

Re your sheepdog brother, forget that too. The two cup rule seems to be far more applicable to adults than to babies. Keep it in mind for later but not for now.

What I found, feeding Nutro LB Pup, is use the package as a starting point.....but start at a cup or so less.......with Nutro we were always feeing about a cup less than the minimum, and Cooper is a big sturdy lab. We still split it over two servings and I still add about a cup of water for bloat.

You do not want a round pudgy pup....you do not want to see ribs, but you want to be able to feel them if you rub your fingers down their back....

So the person to believe is yourself, and your eyes....every pup is different and will burn their food off differently.

Cooper started at roughly 2 cups at 10 weeks, and then steadily progressed until about 6 months....he was up to 4 cups briefly....and then started tapering off. At 7 months (or when all the baby teeth are gone) I switched him to adult food. He eats 2 to 2 and 1/2 cups now. I supplement him with canned pumpkin and salt-free green beans so he thinks he gets more.

Suzie

I'm interested in maybe trying the canned pumpkin, Suzie. How much and how often? Right now Abbie needs to lose weight so I have been trying the green beans mixed with her dry food. She gets 1 cup dry food twice a day.

Its a very scientific measurement....I call it a dollop....its probably about 1/4 cup, but you could probably give 1/3 cup and be fine. I have just started giving him oatbran (that I give 1 TBSP twice a day) and that is supposed to be very effective, yet alot cheaper than the pumpkin. Only had two meals on it, so don't have any more info than that.

Good luck! Make sure, if you can, that you feed the sodium free greenie beenies....or rinse them very well!

Suzie

Thanks Suzie. I think I have a dollop thingie around here somewhere! I couldn't find the sodium free green beans at my usual store but I found no salt added ones. So I will rinse those off real good. I also read somewhere on this great chat board to buy whole frozen green beans and use as treats. I bought some yesterday and Abbie loves them! I'm going to buy some pumpkin next and try it. Thanks, again.

how important is it to moisten the food, I'm not currently doing that but should I?

I don't know if its important at all....i just have done it as a way of keeping Cooper hydrated...when he was a baby, he would routinely tip his water bowl and sit in it.....so this way I know he gets at least some water!

Suzie

how important is it to moisten the food, I'm not currently doing that but should I?

The only reason I do it is because Sandy has bloated in the past. I add water to her food just to keep her from tanking up on lots of water after eating. Mind you, I don't let the food sit in the water and get all mushy, I just add water right before serving. You can most certainly add a bit of water to your dog's kibbles if you'd like, but its certainly not a life or death situation.

I use Eukanuba also and the measurements do seem ridiculous! I put water on it and everything, but he doesn't even eat half of what he's supposed to. Does this mean he doesn't like the food I'm giving him or what. We do split his meals into one in the morning and one at night...so I agree with the schedule you've got him on.

If they aren't finishing the amount you are putting down it is probably too much for them. The amounts given on the bags usually are in excess so let your puppies be your guide. Unless they are piggies and eat whatever is in front of them. As long as they are not too heavy or look really fat they should be ok. "I" feel it is better to keep them a little on the lite side as you are then not adding stress to the growing joints. "As long as the ribs are not showing but you can see them when pup turns is a good guide." When their teeth are bothering them is a good time to wet the food other than that they should be able to manage dry food, dogs donot chew the way we do they may crunch a bit but their food is swallowed pretty much as it goes in. Leaving wet food out is not a good idea as it can grow bacteria especially in warm weather. What they have not eaten in 20 mins is taken away. Hope this helps.

I must agree with everything in Labracorn's post. :tup2:

wetting the food is VERY important. It helps keep the dog from gulping down water after they eat which can be dangerous for them. I add approx. 1/2 cup of water per bowl and feed it immediately upon wetting it down. Don't let it soak in.

Funny thing. My sister wets her dog food with chicken or beef broth. I laughed at first....AS IF her dog needs to be coaxed into eating. He does not refuse ANYTHING! I think she gives him low sodium broth. I do not know if it is right or wrong, just thought I would comment. :)

Just my opinion, but I would think water would be best. It does slow Cooper down a bit, and I think it makes his tummy more full.

Suzie