How often do you feed?

[THE ROCK]

Rock is 3 years old, 137 lbs and solid as a Rock (heheh) Is 2 cups 2x a day of California Natural with 1/8 cp of Innova too much food? I though his weight was a little high? Thanks

[AngelBunny]

You can answer your own question about his weight.

Stand over him & look down. What do you see? If you see one solid block from shoulders to hips w/o any indentation right behind his ribs, yes, you're feeding him too much.

Run your fingers down his spine and feel for his ribs. Can you *easily* feel his spine & ribs under a *thin* layer of fat? If you're poking & prodding & can barely feel any bones at all, yes, you're feeding him too much.

Leaner is better than fatter.

We feel 2x/day in our house, too, for a total of 4 cups of Wellness. Our dogs also get 1-2 frozen raw beef marrow bones as treats, & lots of fruits & veggies. Our 5 yo foster male (27" & 85 lbs) gets the perfect amount of food for his [very slow] metabolism. Our 3 yo & 2 yo girls who're *very* active could probably stand to put on a few more pounds, but I don't plan to feed them more than they're being fed.

[RottiMomCT]

I have an almost 3 yr old (4/02 he'll be 3) male, adopted 2/00, who was 84.5 lbs when we brought him home. He is a small boy (to me, he's perfect!) and he now weighs in at a lean, solid 87 lbs. In the summer, when he and I are more active (walks almost every day, outside in the yard, etc) I feed him approx 2 cups of food 2 times a day (4 cups total). Now that it's colder (I'm in CT), and we aren't out that often, he gets 1-1.5 cups 2X a day (total 2-3 cups a day)...I also think it depends on the activity level of the dog..if you are working the dog daily, for a long time (even out in the yard playing for an hour every day) the dog will burn more calories (like humans do!) and thus be able to take in more calories without gaining weight.

I agree with AngelBunny - stand over the dog, even for a male, he should have an 'hourglass' type figure, with a visible 'waist'.

If, when he sits, his belly hits the floor...too much food!!!;)