We are worrying that we might not feed Shadow enough. She will eat everything she sees! We always feed her IAMS in the evening two cups. Is that enough?

any recommend? I want what is best for Shadow.

thanks

If the food has a lot of fillers in it that she is just pooping out she may not be getting enough for her body from the food.

Can you post your ingredients as I am not sure which Iams formula you are feeding.

We have always fed our dogs 2x/day.

Remember she is a Lab and Labs want us to think they are hungry all the time and the reason they beg so much :-)

But its always wise to check it out to be sure they are getting enough.

Does she look under or over weight?

BTW - welcome to the board

In my experience with foods, unless your lab is overweight or very tiny, 2 cups of Iams doesn't sound like enough food, without other information. When I was feeding kibble, mine would eat at least 3 cups split into two feedings. I also always fed twice a day for adults. The only foods I've ever heard being fed at 2 cups a day are grain free foods.

me too on the grain free - 2 cups for one dog 2 1/2 for another.

However, my moms seniors do very well on 2 cups a day of California Natural - but it has few fillers - just rice.

We feed our 2 1/2 year old 1.5 cups in the morning and 1.5 cups in the evening of Natural Balance. She is maintaining a perfect 65lbs.

Jim

Although individual dogs will vary in their needs, Iams has 381 kcal/cup. 2 cups is less than 800 calories per day, which is not nearly enough for most labs.

Here is the info on IAMS. oh no, I feel bad for not feeding her enough but she is definitely not under weight! She might be bit overweight. Last time, she went to vet, she weight 51 lbs.. She is small for Lab.. Let me know if I should switch to other food. (http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/)
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[URL="http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/"]thanks!
(http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/)

(http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/)

(http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/)
Iams�Chunks (http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/)

Recommended For (http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/)
Normally active medium breed adult dogs one year and older.
Product Information
Iams�Chunks is enhanced with vitamin-rich fish oils for a healthy skin, lustrous shine and overall health. High-quality chicken offers a rich, wholesome taste for normally active adults. Essential vitamins and minerals support the immune system and help maintain good health. A patented fiber source helps maintain colon health and enhance your dog’s ability to absorb nutrients. When more nutrition stays in your dog, there’s less backyard clean-up. Iams�Chunks contains a patented carbohydrate blend of select healthy grains to help maintain normal blood sugar levels for sustained energy.
Now with Iams�Daily Dental Care. As your dog chews, Iams�Daily Dental Care helps slow tartar build-up by up to 50%.
Calories
Concentrated: 4,060 kcal/kg, 381 kcal/cup
Ingredients
Chicken, Corn Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E, and Citric Acid), Fish Meal (source of fish oil), Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Flax Meal, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, DL-Methionine, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Rosemary Extract, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate
Caloric Distribution
Protein 26%...Fat 37%...Carbohydrate 37%
Guaranteed Analysis
Nutrient(percent)Crude Protein not less than26.0%Crude Fat not less than15.0%Crude Fiber not more than4.0%Moisture not more than10.0%Omega-6 Fatty Acids not less than2.50%*Omega-3 Fatty Acids not less than0.25%*

Adult Labs should be fed twice a day (am and pm).

I would start by finding a healthier food for your Lab...Iams is not the best choice...look at the ingredient list...:(

I know that females usually are smaller and weigh less than males...but 51 pounds seems to be on the low side to me? I would say that she needs a little more weight.

Here are some of my favorite foods:

Eagle Pack Holistic www.eaglepack.com
California Natural www.naturapet.com
Innova www.naturapet.com

If you switch her to a healthier food and up the amount you are feeding divided into 2 meals a day...I think you will find that your Lab will not act as though she is starving...she will be more content and feel more satisfied.

She is a beautiful girl!

My Bruno is just about 3 and he is now 61pds. He is small for a male but a little sherman tank. A few months ago he as 52pds due to some medical problems. I started him on a quality food like the ones Lovemylabby suggested and he gets 1.5 cups twice a day. It made a world of difference. Once you find the right food and the right balance .

thanks, lovemylabby. I will switch to california natural and feed her 1.5 cups two times a day. Your dogs are adorable, too!! :D

The weight was like last year. I will check it when I can and let you know.

Many thanks to everyone who replied. Shadow is much appreicated!

thanks, lovemylabby. I will switch to california natural and feed her 1.5 cups two times a day. Your dogs are adorable, too!! :D

The weight was like last year. I will check it when I can and let you know.

Many thanks to everyone who replied. Shadow is much appreicated!
Does Shadow get any treats during the day?

Healthy adults labs have a wide range of weights, so if she looks good at 51 pounds that may be her perfect weight and you may well be feeding her an appropriate amount of food. You don't want her to be overweight, even if she's petite.

Many dogs do well on California Natural, but I would strongly caution against increasing her portions to 1 1/2 cups twice a day if you make the switch. 3 cups of CN is just about twice as many calories as she's been used to, and this could cause problems for her.

Good luck!

Your food has too many fillers in it.

The CN is a good choice. Our dogs have done well on it in the past and now.

Remembering that it has few fillers so her body will get more out of the food - watch that she doesn't put on too much weight.

Does Shadow get any treats during the day?

Healthy adults labs have a wide range of weights, so if she looks good at 51 pounds that may be her perfect weight and you may well be feeding her an appropriate amount of food. You don't want her to be overweight, even if she's petite.


I was thinking the same thing. If, and by your words it appears so, she looks like she might be a little overweight, don't just feed 1.5 2x daily because everyone else on here does. We fed high quality kibbles before going raw, and my girls (50ish and 65ish lbs when kibble fed) all were fed 1 cup 2x daily and maintained where they were. The two mutts, who's ideal weight is around 50lbs, were fed less than that per day and did fine, energy wise. Your dogs activity level is an important factor too, as mine were 3 and 7, so they were adults, but weren't overly active.

If your vet thinks she looks good where she is, or even if she needs to lose a few lbs, I'd stick to the amount you are feeding, but with a higher quality food. Remember, if you are feeding a higher quality food, you don't HAVE to feed as much, because their body is utilizing more of what is going in.

IMO, I'd watch her stools and energy on the new food, at the amount you are feeding now, and see how she does after a few weeks, before automatically just upping the cups.

Just my opinion.. but either way, good luck! :)

Bear is at a nice weight at 110lbs, though he could stand to lose a couple I think, but the vet was happy at where he was body condition wise so we are keeping him there. I feed 4 cups of Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice, 2 cup twice a day and he does great on it. He has actually lost a little weight down to what he is now since he got him because he gets more exercise then he used to. I found out he was getting 8 cups a day of his old food (which was a lousy food knowing his old owners). I can't imagine feeding him that much!

Basically feeding is done on a per dog basis, some labs might only be 60lbs, but need 3 or more cups a day of good food because they are REALLY active labs and burn it off. Others might be large and only need 2 cups because they are older and lazy.

On whatever food you pick feed the same calorie amount you are now, don't always go by cup sizes, that can be misleading. Same goes for feeding recommendations on the back of the bags. Just watch and weight your dog once you start a new food, if they gain and you like where they are look wise cut the food back. If she is still hungry you can always supplement with green beans as a filler without adding calories.

we've switched to feeding our adult dogs twice a day.

Your food has too many fillers in it.

The CN is a good choice. Our dogs have done well on it in the past and now.

Remembering that it has few fillers so her body will get more out of the food - watch that she doesn't put on too much weight.

Oh my goodness...I never realized how many calories California Natural has!

I also agree that it is a good food...but I agree, please watch the amount you are feeding as not to put on too much weight...very good point!