Need advice: Puppy feeding timeline

[bessy-senior]

Hello everyone,

I have a 4-month old girl, Bessy. I've been feeding her 3 times a day since she was 8 weeks old. I've just recently switched her (from gradual to now complete switch) to Innova Puppy (1/3 cup X 3 times a day - any more and she'll get the runs!)

My questions are:
(1) She seems to stop eating with as much gusto now. She WILL eat, but doesn't attack her food as usual. Should I be happy she has stopped gobbling? Or should I be worried? There hasn't been a change to her usual routine.

(2) Can I start giving her 2 meals a day now? I've bought lots of books about Rottweilers, and they all advice 3 meals a day for puppies till 6-12 months. But reading through the forums, I read about lots of experienced owners giving 2 meals from 2 months.

(3) What's the age for switching from Puppy to Adult food?

Thanks so much for reading. Any help/advice will be much greatly appreciated!

[bessy-senior]

Sorry, I meant to say:

I read about lots of experienced owners giving 2 meals from 4 months!

[LauraL]

Hi bessy-senior and welcome

I got my first and only Rottie 13 months ago, so i am no where near as experienced as half the people on here but i will let you know my thought on it

When first got Kiera she would gobble the food like it was going out of fashion through time she seems to relax a bit more with it, it could just be that Bessy feels relaxed enough to not guzzle it down, she's not scared someones going to nick it off her, or it could just be the way she is some dogs guzzle some dogs dont as long as shes eating it drinking water and being her usual self then i dont think you have anything to worry about, if she was to stop eating and loosing weight etc etc then i would pop her to the vets for a check over

with the regards to feeding 2 times a day, personally i think she might be a bit young yet, i used to give kiera at this age her breakfast as normal then at dinner time i used to take a small amount out and put it by for supper time
when they are young they need something in there stomachs for through the night (pretty much like a baby) once she was a bit older maybe 6-7months i just started to feed her the whole amount at dinner time, she's fine with this, she gets her breakfast her dinner and she'll get a couple of biscuits throughout the evening and thats all she gets

I feed Kiera on Royal canine, she started on the puppy one and then we moved her on to the royal canine maxi junior at 5 months (roughly), Royal Canine recommend change to the Maxi Adult stuff at 15 months(which she is moving onto as we speak) sometimes though vets will recommend you change earlier, if you have any concerns you should maybe speak to the vet he will let you know what he thinks is best for your girl taking into concideration growth and weight

Sorry if this seems long but i hope it helps a bit
Laura

P.S let me know how you get on

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by bessy-senior

Hello everyone,

I have a 4-month old girl, Bessy. I've been feeding her 3 times a day since she was 8 weeks old. I've just recently switched her (from gradual to now complete switch) to Innova Puppy (1/3 cup X 3 times a day - any more and she'll get the runs!)

My questions are:
(1) She seems to stop eating with as much gusto now. She WILL eat, but doesn't attack her food as usual. Should I be happy she has stopped gobbling? Or should I be worried? There hasn't been a change to her usual routine.

(2) Can I start giving her 2 meals a day now? I've bought lots of books about Rottweilers, and they all advice 3 meals a day for puppies till 6-12 months. But reading through the forums, I read about lots of experienced owners giving 2 meals from 2 months.

(3) What's the age for switching from Puppy to Adult food?

Thanks so much for reading. Any help/advice will be much greatly appreciated!

You can start feeding her twice a day if she is no longer interested in her noon meal.
I do have concerns about the amount you are feeding!!!
She needs to eat more than 1 cup per day!!!

If she is getting the runs from eating 1/3 of a cup, either there is something wrong with the pup, or the food is not agreeing with her.

How much does your pup weigh?
As far as feeding puppy food....some people feed puppy food for the first 4 months or so, and then get them on the Adult formula.
My pup was raised on Canidae and Adult Innova, he never had any puppy food. He grew slow and steady....this is what you want with a Rottweiler puppy. No huge, fast weight gains.

Gina

[bessy-senior]

Hello! Thanks so much for answering and sharing your experiences. Really appreciate your advice

LauraL... I have to admit, I was probably partly to blame for Bessy's sudden fussiness with her food. I was giving her treats, and I probably indulged her a little too much. I stopped her treats, and sure enough - today she happily danced around me as I brought out her dinner, and eagerly ate her food. I'll see if this keeps up and let you know

Brunie's Mom Sorry, I forgot to add that I have just recently cut down her food to 1/3 cup each feeding. I was feeding her 3 cups of Innova Puppy a day That's why the bad poop. The lady at the pet shop told me Innova is really rich, and I need to cut down to 2 cups a day. I gave Bessy's stomach a rest from food for 2 meals (my vet told me it's good to let pups skip a day's meal once in awhile - so they can detox)... and then I slowly began to re-introduce Innova to Bessy again. I am slowly going to work up her feeding to 2 cups a day

Her current weight is 35lbs - is this a good weight? I go more by how she looks - her overall body is solid looking, and she's not overweight.

Again, thanks so much for everyone's replies. It really helps to have experienced owners to talk to

[tkmirabal92]

BESSY-Senior,

Hello,
We just got our first Rottie, "Cledus" a week ago, and the friend we got him from has him on the lamb and rice puppy food from Costco, I would like your thoughts on royal canin for your girl? we have a mini daschund, that is on royal canin for daschunds and she is doing awesome! we get the big bag, and it lasts her about a month, she only weighs 9lbs. how big a bag do you get, and about how long does it last her? and how is her health? coat, teeth, eyes, just overall how do you like it? any advice you have will be greatly appreciated!

thanks,
Tracey (CLEDUS' mom)

[bessy-senior]

Hi Cledus's mom!

LauraL feeds her girl on Royal Canine, all the way back to her puppy days.

I'm feeding my girl Innova Puppy (just switched her over 2 weeks back from Acana), but if her poop is still bad, might have to switch her food to something else.

[brunie's mom]

[quote=bessy-senior;747557

Brunie's Mom Sorry, I forgot to add that I have just recently cut down her food to 1/3 cup each feeding. I was feeding her 3 cups of Innova Puppy a day That's why the bad poop. The lady at the pet shop told me Innova is really rich, and I need to cut down to 2 cups a day. I gave Bessy's stomach a rest from food for 2 meals (my vet told me it's good to let pups skip a day's meal once in awhile - so they can detox)... and then I slowly began to re-introduce Innova to Bessy again. I am slowly going to work up her feeding to 2 cups a day

Her current weight is 35lbs - is this a good weight? I go more by how she looks - her overall body is solid looking, and she's not overweight.

Again, thanks so much for everyone's replies. It really helps to have experienced owners to talk to [/QUOTE]

35 lbs sounds fine for a 4 month old female.
I was just worried that by only feeding a cup a day...the poor pup was withering away.

2 cups per day sounds good...and yes...stop giving her so many treats,etc., so that she is hungry.
I find that most times if dogs are not really hungry...they will start fussing with their food...and it will not hurt to skip a meal once in awhile.

Gina

[bessy-senior]

Hi LauraL and Brunie's Mom,

Just an update about Bessy:

She is eating well now. Gave her 3/4 cup of Innova Puppy this morning (upped it from 1/2 cup last night) - but you're right, Brunie's Mom, about the food not being right for her. Her poop was a slushy mess. Gross.

Will be changing her to either Canidae or California Natural.

Thanks again!

[koody]

I would go adult food when he reach 1year or older.

[LauraL]

Hi Guys

bessy-senior

Glad your girl is eating normaly again , i used to do ther same with kiera when we first got her giving her treats all the time, and as brunie's mom said it doesnt do them any harm to skip a meal once in a while especially if they are being picky with there food, have you tried to make your own treats?? you should make up some Garlic Liver treats there great for training as they arent made up with the same crap as the ones you get fromn the pet store, Kiera will do anything for them and i mean anything , give me a shout if you need the recipe

Cledus's mom

I have fed Kiera royal canine from the day i got her the breeder feeds her 7 Rotties the same and have had no issues with this brand, we normaly buy a 15kg bag which cost £45 (GBP) and this lasts us a little over a month so it's not to bad, you get the Maxie Puppy (ultra sensible) maxi Junour and Maxi Adult, Kiera is moving over to the adult stuff as we speak, her coat is so shiny no issues with that, her teeth and eyes are great to, the vet and other people we meet comment on what a health dog she looks i put it down to the food, we have never had any sickness or runny poop with this either.Personally i think that this a good quality food and alot of people would agree with me on that, i would recommend it any day, let me know how you get on if you have any questions then please ask, i have added a couple of pic's

Laura (Kiera's Mum)

[bessy-senior]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for all your replies

LauraL... Garlic Liver treats? Sounds yummy... Would love the recipe thanks so much!

An update on Bessy - I think I have the world's fussiest eater. Stopping her treats seemed to work for awhile. But this morning, she sniffed her breakfast (her regular dry kibbles), and turned up her nose. About midday, she pooped regular poop, which turned soft toward the end of the poop. (I think my dad has been feeding her on the sly!)

Took her to the vet for a checkup ( thought no harm to let vet have a look at her), and the vet said her tummy is slightly unsettled from the new food I introduced to her. He advised me to feed her rice and boiled chicken for a few days just to let her tummy rest. Then slowly re-introduce her dry kibbles in a few days time.

He also said this is a good test to see if she's being fussy with food. Sure enough, as soon as I put down the yummy smelling rice and chicken (with chicken broth), she gobbled everything up. Even licked the bowl clean and sniffed the floor for fallen bits of rice.

Will be slowly re-introducing her dry kibbles in a few days time. Wish me luck.. I'm going to need it :(

[LauraL]

Hi bessy-senior

Liver treats (please excuse the method i am no Delia Smith LOL)
Buy some liver (Lambs or Ox) Your preference really and some Garlic Puree
Cut the Liver into bite size bits add some garlic puree just enough to cover all
the liver pieces and let it marinate for a few hours, put them in the oven and bake until the liver has dried out slightly, they dont take that long to cook (depends on the size of the pieces really) let them cool down, there you go you've made yourself or should i say Bessy some delicious home made treats
They will smell the house for a bit, but Bessie will love them

Kiera sometimes sits at the cooker and hopes that maybe we will drop a bit when checking them

Good luck with Bessie (fingers and paws crossed)
keep us posted on how your little girl is doing

Laura