When to switch from 3 meals to 2?

[Barrie]

Hi everyone,

I'm happy to report Bear is finally doing well on Orijen. Like Brunie's mom suggested, it was just a matter of overfeeding, and I'm consistently getting firmer stools now.

On to the next chapter of feeding:

Does anyone know when to appropriately (and safely) switch him from having 3 meals to 2 meals a day?

Given that it took him so long to get accustomed to the food, I don't want to make a brisk change that might affect him all over again.

The vet was no help in this department, and his breeder was content feeding him Pedigree (ugh!), so I would appreciate input from experienced member who actually care.

Thanks in advanced, and oh yeah, Bear is 5 months old and 49 pounds eating 1 cup three times a day right now.

[jlhnokc]

Originally Posted by Barrie

Hi everyone,

I'm happy to report Bear is finally doing well on Orijen. Like Brunie's mom suggested, it was just a matter of overfeeding, and I'm consistently getting firmer stools now.

On to the next chapter of feeding:

Does anyone know when to appropriately (and safely) switch him from having 3 meals to 2 meals a day?

Given that it took him so long to get accustomed to the food, I don't want to make a brisk change that might affect him all over again.

The vet was no help in this department, and his breeder was content feeding him Pedigree (ugh!), so I would appreciate input from experienced member who actually care.

Thanks in advanced, and oh yeah, Bear is 5 months old and 49 pounds eating 1 cup three times a day right now.

With the over feeding issue, and stool issues, I would wait at least a couple weeks, then slowly decrease the amount of the middle meal into the first and second meals, eventually getting rid of the 3rd meal all together.

[Rudgeman]

My guy is 4.5 months right now, we have not decreased the amounts of food, and his stools are firmed up, I personally feel it was the change in food. We are starting to move towards 2 meals also, slowly decreasing his lunch meal until he is at 2 per day by six months of age. This was recomeended by our vet. He also gets another half cup or so through the day for training because he loves the food so much. Little piggy LOL!

[Rudgeman]

Sorry forgot to mention we switched to Orijen LBP about a month ago. he's eating about 4 cups a day total.

[brunie's mom]

He can start missing his lunch meal anytime now. Some puppies are just not that interested in that middle meal....they often don't eat all of it...or have better more exciting things to do.

You can feed him 3 meals for the rest of his life if you want...it will not harm him at all. I know a few people that feed their dogs 3 times per day, because their dogs do best that way.

I'm a twice a day feeder...and usually go from 3 meals to twice a day when puppy is around 5 months of age. Only because I find it easier.

Glad to hear that he is firming up by eating less. Just keep an eye on him, and make sure he is gaining...and if you think he needs more food...add a 1/4 cup to each meal and see how things go.

I am fostering a Black Lab for rescue that came so skinny...and I did the classic mistake of wanting him to eat too much so that he would gain weight quickly. Of course the more he ate the runnier his stools, and the more often he pooped I cut back on the food...he's gained the weight slowly...and all systems are "go" now.

Gina

[bessy-senior]

Bessy started to lose interest in her mid-day meal around 5 months of age. She'd sniff at it and prefer to play. Or she'd pick her head up, see the food and go back to sleep. That was a good indicator of switching to 2 meals - phew to that!