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Thread: She's a gobbler

  1. #1
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    She's a gobbler

    Oakley is 11 weeks old and from the day we brought her home she has gobbled her food down like there's no tomorrow. I don't even think she chews it! We got her a bowl that has a round hump in the middle that is supposed to slow her down and I guess it does a bit. Eating that fast can't be good for her and I'm worried about bloat. I know Labs eat fast but this is like a frenzy. I'm feeding her 1 cup at each meal 2x a day plus training kibble during the day. Is she getting enough food?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog MightyThor's Avatar
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    We got the Kong Wobbler for Thor and sometimes feed him from that if he's getting gobbly. It takes him about 20 minutes to eat a 1.5 cup meal out of it. Plus it's hilarious to watch. Here he is eating out of it at about 13 weeks old. Beware, it scatters kibble everywhere though! He spends another 30 minutes seeking out the pieces that get scattered.

    Mighty Thor, "So Much Dog", born 1/6/2014
    And baby Barley, born 3/9/2018

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  4. #3
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    1 Cup twice a day does not seem like enough. I've got a 10 week old pup and I'm feeding 3 cups, 4 times a day, Royal Canin Maxi Puppy. I'll go to 3 times a day at about 12 weeks. Their digestive systems can't handle a lot of food at one time, so you need to spread it out. I won't go to twice per day until he's 6 months or so......

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  6. #4
    Senior Dog MikeLynn's Avatar
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    Yup, I agree with barry581 - I started feeding Mel four times a day, then went to three times a day and when she was a bit older, probably around 6 months, we switched to two times a day. It might be a similar amount of food, but for the young pups it's definitely a lot easier to digest when it's spread into more meals. As for the amount I can't really tell as I've never fed kibble, but it doesn't seem to be enough for such a young pup because at that age I fed something like three generous cups a day of home cooked split into four meals. Perhaps someone who feeds kibble will chime in and give you better info.
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  8. #5
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    2 cups a day is definitely not enough food. I was feeding 1 cup 3 times a day at that age. Did your breeder not give you any guidelines?
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    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Even with upping the food amount, which I agree with, some dogs eat surprisingly fast. I sure Mardi and Archie don't chew. You could try a large cookie sheet, the kind with sides. Kinda spreads things out.

  10. #7
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    My breeders instructions were at 10 weeks of age to feed 2 cups a day and also to cut back to feeding only 2 times a day. She said that amount will increase rapidly as she grows to 3 cups a day. I plan on gradually increasing the amount. Didn't feeding 4 times a day interfere with potty training?

  11. #8
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    I don't know about the potty training but I would be aiming for 2 cups a meal, 2 meals a day.

  12. #9
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    I fed 3 times a day until 5-6 months, maybe longer than I needed to. By the time Maxx was 4 months he was eating 4 cups daily. He had pretty consistent potty times, I didn't find that to be an issue. 2 cups daily just seems like too little for a puppy at that age. I have a gobbler, actually an inhaler! I know he does not chew his food. I have tried every "slow down" bowl, he dumps all but the one with the hump in the middle. He just creates a huge mess with his food slung everywhere. I think they frustrate him and dumping the bowl is my payback, lol! You can definitely try one of the puzzle toys, Kong Wobbler, Tug a Jug, etc. A large cookie sheet, as mentioned above, has been helpful for some. I always wet Maxx's food with warm water, it helps a little.
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  13. #10
    House Broken petitesalmon's Avatar
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    Man my dog is 7 months and only eats about 3 cups of food a day plus treats. any more and he starts looking a bit around the belly area. I fed 3 times a day when he was younger but now its 2. He also eats from his Kong wobbler or i feed him when we are out walking instead of treats - otherwise he's a little vacuum!

    I would say just feed what is right for your dog. I adjust every few days according to how he's looking, you know your dog best

 



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