When do you switch to feeding twice a day?

[doubledip1]

I've never heard of multiplying the recommended serving amount by 3 as a puppy. I fed what was recommended on the bag and adjusted based on body condition.

[beth101509]

Ok, thanks...another question that's come up is: at what point do we stop multiplying the recommended serving amount by 3 while she's a puppy? When does she stop being a puppy?

Boy, I feel dumb. lol

I haven't heard of the multiplying by 3 rule either. I have read that you can switch to adult food around 8 months or so or you can wait until 12 months to switch. My understanding is that a lab remains a puppy until around 1 1/2 - 3 years.

[SoapySophie]

Thank you for the feedback...it must be because TLC is an all-stages food with smaller kibble?

[barry581]

I think somewhere between 4 and 6 months is normal. Bruce was about 5 months when I switched him. I did it gradually, adding to the morning and evening meals while taking away from the mid day meal. Sophie was about the same time frame. It was a little harder with Bruce as he would get the runs if he got too much food at a given feeding, and at almost 10 months still does. I had to reduce his food last week to correct it again.

I've never heard of the multiply by 3 either. I look at what the manufacture recommends and split it between the 2 or 3 feedings as applicable.

[doubledip1]

Some of us here never fed puppy food either because of the calcium/phosphorus ratio (I think!). Luna has had all life stages food since the beginning.

[SoapySophie]

Oh dear...my mistake - the bag says to feed 1.5x the suggested amount. For some reason we've been multiplying it by 3. OMG poor puppy! No wonder her stools have been soft...

[JenC]

So has the pup been getting 6 cups a day, 2 per meal? 3-4 cups a day should be fine at this point. That's eliminated with lunch.

[SoapySophie]

So has the pup been getting 6 cups a day, 2 per meal? 3-4 cups a day should be fine at this point. That's eliminated with lunch.

Yes, exactly. Still was too much for her, but she had absolutely no problem downing it! I look forward to better, firmer poops.

[Laura]

...It was a little harder with Bruce as he would get the runs if he got too much food at a given feeding, and at almost 10 months still does. I had to reduce his food last week to correct it again.
.

Theo is the same way. I'm amazed by how quickly an extra quarter cup makes its way through.

[MightyThor]

Thor gets the runs really easily too. We switched him from Pro Plan focus puppy to the all stages sport formula around six months, but he got the runs very easily with it and we switched to the sensitive skin and stomach pro plan. I swear there is a specific number of kibble pieces where the line is drawn between normal and liquid. I just haven't bothered to count it out yet. It has helped a bit to move him to sensitive skin and stomach food, but it still happens easily (like if he's been really active and I give him a bit of extra food to compensate).