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Old 17-05-2011, 08:10 AM
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How much to feed my young dog?

My dog is nearly 5 months old so still a puppy, he won't eat dry food on his own, we've tried Pets At Home Nutrition, Royal Canin and (most recently) Wainwrights but unless I mix it with something wet (james wellbeloved puppy pouches) he won't eat it.

We just recently tried him on a RAW diet but it seems to have upset his tummy.

I'm also worried he's slightly overweight as I'm still feeding him twice a day.

He's a Shihtzu x Chihuahua and weighs 3.3kgs, my vet's never seen this breed before so can't give me any idea what his "ideal" weight should be.

I'm going to go back to Wainwrights with a bit of wellbeloved puppy pouches, my question is how much should I give him and should I cut his feeds down to once a day now??
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Old 17-05-2011, 08:15 AM
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Re: How much to feed my young dog?

I wouldn't chop and change his food too often otherwise you will be left with a very fussy eater on your hands.

Try soaking the dry food with some warm water as this releases the smells that will entice your pup to eat and if he doesn't eat it - take it away until the next meal - he will soon eat. If you are giving a good quality dry food there is no real need to mix with wet unless of course that is your peference.

I have large breed dogs and I still feed 3 times a day.

Good luck.
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Old 17-05-2011, 08:18 AM
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Re: How much to feed my young dog?

Sorry meant to say - there is a guide on the side of the packets of dry food.

I wouldn't cut him down to one feed a day - he should be having his meals at least twice if not three so take his current weight and split the quantities suggested by the manufacturer into two or three for the day.

Last edited by 912142; 17-05-2011 at 08:18 AM.. Reason: He looks a wee smasher by the way.
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Old 17-05-2011, 08:32 AM
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Re: How much to feed my young dog?

My pup went through a fussy stage too so I feel your pain

I definitely wouldn't cut him down to 1 meal a day. At 5 months he should only be starting to move from 3 meals to 2, so you don't want to only feed him once at this age.

Like has been said, all food has guidelines on how much to feed. Obviously if you're feeding wet and dry together you want to make sure you that cut down the quantities accordingly. There's nothing wrong with mixing wet and dry together so if your pup prefers it then do it. As well as soaking in water you can pop wet food in the microwave for a few seconds to take the chill off and make it smell nicer to the pup.

If you keep swapping foods every time he rejects it, he's going to learn that if he doesn't eat something he'll get something new. Put his food down for 15 minutes and if he doesn't eat it, pick it back up and give him no food or treats until his next meal time. It may take a few meals but he'll learn that if he doesn't eat his food, he's not getting anything else!

I wouldn't worry about an 'ideal' weight - as he's a cross breed he might end up chihuahua weight or Shihtzu weight. Go by how he looks and feels - you should be able to feel his ribs but they shouldn't be sticking out. At this age I wouldn't really be worrying about him being overweight - he's still growing. But obviously don't feed him too much more than is recommended for his weight.

If you're getting some wet food, I'd go for Wainwrights, NatureDiet, or Natures Menu over JWB.

When you say you tried raw and it upset him, what exactly did you try? My pup can't take raw chicken which is why I ask.
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Old 17-05-2011, 10:20 AM
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Re: How much to feed my young dog?

oh.....it was raw chicken!!

I think you're right though having tried so many foods Bingo's just waiting for the next one instead of getting stuck into what he's got.

Okay I'm not going to buy any more food (I practically own the shop lol) I'm going to feed him, leave it down for 15 mins then try again at next feed - we have training tonight so I'm certain he'll eat after that
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