Food amounts

[Jock]

Jock is 1 yr, 8 months and 110 lbs male. Just recently swithced him to Canidae. How much, per day should he be fed? The past two months, I've let him free eat. Is this bad or does it depend on the dog. Also, would anyone recomend mixing canned food with dry?

Thanks,

Todd and Jock

[Vingaard]

Jack,

At times in the past I have tried free feeding. and that depends on the dog. Some dogs will only nibble when they are hungry and others will eat til they are sick.. so you'll have to make the call in regards to that. However, my current rott, I feed him once a day (early mid-morning) and I feed him approx, 4-6 cups of doggie kibble. I say 4-6 cups because I haven't actually measured it, I just know that its the amount that he will eat and not leave any for extended lengths of time and he doesn't get over or underweight.



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[CarolineS]

The downside to feeding free is that it can sometimes take you longer to notice if your dog's appetite is a bit off. This is quite frequently the first sign of illness. It also makes it more difficult to keep track of how much is being eaten, if you need to make adjustments. Free feeding is a big drawback if you ever have to travel with your dog and you need him to eat at specific times.

Most people I know feed their adult dogs twice a day. It is a little easier on the dog's digestive system. As far as the amount, I'd start with whatever is recommended on the package and go from there. Keep track of the dog's condition visually, or weigh him regularily if you can, and adjust the amount accordingly.

I've never seen any harm in mixing in a little good quality canned food, just to liven up the dry. I've done it with all the dogs I've owned over the years and it never did them any harm. I know that my dog's breeder did this as well for all her dogs.

[THE ROCK]

Hi Jock,
My Rock is the same age & weight as your boy. I feed him in the morning 2 cups of California Natural chicken & rice dry with 1/8 can of Innova. i repeat for dinner. Rock seems to be happy, i add the little bit of can food because he seemed to bored with the plain dry food.

[doorjamm]

I free feed my four dogs and they seem to be doing ok (... all right damon is a little overweight, but as long as his stomach still tucks up behind his ribs I am not too worried).

I have only two problems with canned food... it costs more per lb, but has far less nutrition per lb than dry (as it is often >60% water), and it does not have the same teeth cleanng effectiveness (nylabones make up though).

To commbat the aditional cost and nutrition problem, I would suggest instead of buying canned, mix about a third of a porion of the dog's food with broth (or water), and a little oil and/or egg. Heat and stir it until enough water has boiled off to get the food to canned consistency, and allow to cool. This also works for those not quite weened 5-7 week old puppies who do not seem able to eat enough kibble (like my now overweight aforementioned dog who was a little more dependant on his mother than his breeder had led me to belive when i picked him up). Mix in the dry kibble, serve at room temp or SLIGHTLY above.