We had Holden (who is almost 11 mo) on Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed and he was getting 6 cups a day, like the bag recommended. We have since been to our vet and because Holden is on the larger side of normal, he suggested switching to adult food and feeding him about 20% less than lowest recommendation for his weight (of course, adjustments can be made accordingly). So, we have him almost completely switched over to adult food, and it seems like he is starving!! Along with gradually changing what kind of food, I also gradually changed the amount so that it wouldn't be such a shock to him. He was getting 2130 kcals every day and now is only getting 1340!! Doesn't that seem extreme? When he was a little puppy, because he was always so hungry, he would always try to take food from our other dog and would occassionally try to steal some goods from people as well, but he outgrew this when he got a little older. Well, he's doing it again now, probably because he is hungry again. Any advise on what to do? I don't want him to be overweight, but I don't want him to starve either!!??

can you supplement his feedings with carrots or green beans?

Rather than give into his pleas, I believe the green beans are a great idea.

I think if you asked my dogs, they would all vote for living a brief fat life. They are Labradors, after all. But I want better for them, so I keep them on the slim side. It is especially important to keep them lean during the early months. If your vet feels Holden needs to lose weight, it's crucial that you do so. Read the dog rather than the dog food bag.

Is Holden neutered? That will reduce the number of calories he needs. How much does he weigh? Here's a nifty calorie calculator (but remember, each dog is different, so your needs may vary) - I think the second calculator, which includes an "altered dog" category, may be more accurate.

http://www.mycockerspaniel.com/mer.htm

Rid yourself of guilt. I don't think anyone has as many "Best Actor" Oscars on their mantlepieces as labs do when it comes to food.

He will adjust to the new amount, and will be a healthier dog because of it, and you will get to share a longer life with him :)

The thinner dogs were also healthier for a greater percentage of their lives. The pups studied were Labrador Retrievers and prone to developing arthritis of the hips. Body weight significantly impacted their degree of pain and the amount of therapy needed. The thinner dogs didn’t need pain medications until they were 13.3 years of age, however the heavier dogs needed treatment at 10.3 years of age. In addition, obesity also contributes to heart disease, hypertension, kidney & liver disease, diabetes and other diseases. So not only can you increase your dog’s chance for a longer life by controlling body weight, you can also help insure that his/her life will be a healthier one.
http://www.canineassistants.org/cgi-bin/list2.0/view/nick/nick

I think if you asked my dogs, they would all vote for living a brief fat life.

Isn't that the truth. I have to keep Jes very lean on account of his hip dysplasia, but if it were up to him, he'd way 100 lbs (he's 65 now).

At first I would give him some carrots or green beans to hold him over, but after he hit two he really stopped acting so hungry. I guess he's settled into his proper weight. Calorie-wise, he eats 1059 calories per day.

3dognite, Holden weighs 86 lbs right now and is an active dog. I tried the link that you suggested and it said that he needs 1954kcals which is closer to what he was getting before when he was on puppy food. He's neutered and has been for many months now. The vet told me that the goal was to not have him gain any more weight because he will probably get a little taller, so even if he stayed at the weight he is now he would most likely thin out a little. He said the number isn't what's important, but more so go by how he looks. About the green beans, how much do I give? Is canned allright? Do I mix it with his dry food? I guess I shouldn't really say that I feel guilty, but just that I've noticed a change. He used to walk by our other dogs food bowl and not even look at it, and now he would probably eat everything in it if I would let him. I just want to make sure that I am doing the right thing.

3dognite, Holden weighs 86 lbs right now and is an active dog. I tried the link that you suggested and it said that he needs 1954kcals which is closer to what he was getting before when he was on puppy food. He's neutered and has been for many months now. The vet told me that the goal was to not have him gain any more weight because he will probably get a little taller, so even if he stayed at the weight he is now he would most likely thin out a little. He said the number isn't what's important, but more so go by how he looks. About the green beans, how much do I give? Is canned allright? Do I mix it with his dry food? I guess I shouldn't really say that I feel guilty, but just that I've noticed a change. He used to walk by our other dogs food bowl and not even look at it, and now he would probably eat everything in it if I would let him. I just want to make sure that I am doing the right thing.

Hmmm... I just plugged 86 pounds into the second calculator (the Waltham one) and got 1407 calories for a neutered dog. In any case, individuals vary quite a bit. Be happy if you are on the low end... think of the money you will save :) If you are feeding any treats, remember those count in the total. Labradors tend to be "easy keepers" which makes them cheap to feed (although somewhat disgruntled).

Canned green beans are fine - I would recommend rinsing them to remove the salty water.

Thanks for the advice guys. I must not have used the calculator the right way =). I will try the green beans and will probably just buy the ones with no sodium added, but will rinse them anyway just to be safe. Thanks again!

OMG...Six cups a day is way, way too much for a growing puppy. When my Lab was 11 months old..I fed him a total of 3 cups per day. It is very important not to let your Lab get fat during the growth period...it can cause irreversible damage to hips and joints...because they are not fully developed and the extra weight is very bad...you should also switch him to an adult food as soon as possible...less protein is much better. We switched our Toby to adult food at about 5 months old.

Oh and sometimes what is recommended on the bag, is way off. You have to do what works best for your dog. Don't feel bad..Labs act like they are always hungry...I think they just love to eat and don't know when to stop...

you should also switch him to an adult food as soon as possible...less protein is much better.

Care to elaborate? This goes against nearly everything I've read. Protein is not related to growth rates (although that used to be the dominant opinion). If it were so, people that fed their pups a raw diet (the puppy "Atkins" diet) would have monster dogs. Now calcium and total calories can affect growth and should be limited, but puppies do need more protein, not less.

Olivemypasta, he's almost completely switched over to an adult food and is now only getting 4 cups each day. He isn't overweight yet, but like I said, he is starting to teeter a bit. The vet just said that he didn't want him to gain anymore weight. It's sad that you can't trust the dog food companies recommendation as far as the amount to feed. I have never had to monitor the amount of food that I'm feeding my dogs, and they've always been at a healthy weight. However, if I free fed Holden, the bag would be gone in a blink of an eye! Holden is actually starting to look a little leaner, but it has only been a couple of weeks so far. I just want him to be as healthy as possible. I think that overfeeding our pups is a very common problem among first time pupppy owners.

OMG...Six cups a day is way, way too much for a growing puppy. When my Lab was 11 months old..I fed him a total of 3 cups per day. It is very important not to let your Lab get fat during the growth period...it can cause irreversible damage to hips and joints...because they are not fully developed and the extra weight is very bad...you should also switch him to an adult food as soon as possible...less protein is much better. We switched our Toby to adult food at about 5 months old.

olivemypasta, I agree about keeping a puppy lean, but please remember it is impossible to make blanket statements about how many cups to feed. Not only do different foods have differing amounts of calories per cup, but labs come in many sizes and have different energy requirements. My 13 month old boy (79 pounds) eats over 2,000 calories a day and is definitely on the lean side - if he didn't have such a heavy coat it would be possible to see his last ribs. The last puppy I raised ate only around 1200 calories at this age.

chocolatelvr, it's very difficult for dog food companies to print a feeding chart and have it be anything other than a starting point. Some underestimate, many overestimate. Labs as a breed tend to need fewer calories, and there can be a big difference between neutered and intact dogs.

I know it would be easier if there was a "one size fits all" chart, but hey, "viva la difference" :)

To second that statement that Labs think they are always hungry... last night we were both exhausted and not thinking straight, and had run out of canned food for Angus, so gave him kibble. SIX CUPS of kibble. He wolfed it down.

(My sweetie fed him two heaping scoops, and then I decided he needed two heaping scoops more since he'd eaten the first so fast, not realizing that because we had fed him breakfast as always he should be done eating for the day... each scoop is about a cup and a half).

He had a very full belly and wasn't particularly thrilled the rest of the night... it was the first time I saw him uninterested in more food. Kinda funny from one perspective, but I felt bad about his tummy ache. I'm a bad doggie mom.