How much food to feed an 8 week old puppy (more)
I was wondering how long you would all suggest feeding him? The Breeder just left food at for the puppies all of the time and we would really llike to get him on a schedule. Also, she was feeding him Science Diet but we had bought Nutro Max, (our Vet suggested this). Should we switch him to Nutro and if so, how do we do this?? He's doing well - although he's only been here with us for one night. He did howl a bit last night but did settle down, eventually. We took him out about four times. We did what someone on this board had suggested - we filled a two liter bottle with warm water, put a towel in his cage and even a clock. Also, how often should we be putting him in his crate during the day? My wife stays home so we're here pretty much all of the time but I want to make sure he thinks fondly of his crate and not just thinks of it as his place away from him at night or when we leave. Also, I guess I'm wondering how much room should he have in his crate? We already had one wire one that's downstairs for him but didn't have a divider in it. The one in our bedroom came with a divider. We just gave him a big enough space to lie down - is this enough? It's a HUGE crate so he has more room from side to side than he does from front to back. Thanks in advance!! Chad |
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| Hi! Welcome to the forum!
While you're waiting for some personal responses, there are answers to lots of your question available by using the search function on the forum. Also many people find the embedded Google search function to be quite helpful. As far as switching foods, that is down gradually over a week or two, starting with 10 or 15% of the new food and changing the mix as the time progresses. I am not that familiar with Nutro Max, but using a high quality, pet store brand (not a supermarket brand) is the way to go. How much? I don't know! I've never had a puppy. Please consider registering here ... it's free and we don't bite very often. |
| Congratulations on your new puppy! Be sure to take lots of pictures. They grow so fast...I swear mine was little for only a week!!!
I brought mine home at 8 weeks also. Breeder fed the same way, all together. So, I wasn't sure how much to feed. First, you should be feeding at least three times a day, preferably at about the same time every day to help with housebrekaing and to egt pup into a schedule. How much does the puppy weigh? When you go to the vet and they weigh him, ask them how many calories a puppy that age and weight should be getting. Most dry kibble is about 400 to 450 calories a cup. If I remember right, we were feeding about 1/2 cup , three times a day. I would soak the food with water in advance to soften it up so they could digest it easier...and chew it better without any teeth! 
If you feed too much, the pup will get diarreah. Also, if changing the food, I agree with ron. Slowly. Too fst will cause diarreah also. I'm sure others with chirp in with their advice soon too. Good luck! |
| We will be joining the forum, soon.
I guess my other question is, should I switch from Science Diet? Maybe Nutro Max Large Breed isn't the way to go?? Today has gone really well. He's been sleeping most of the day, due to our kids really wearing him out, then cuddling with him on the couch the rest of the time. This puppy hasn't slept alone since last night. Even then, I threm my pillow down on the bedroom floor and slept with my "paw" inside his cage!! He's really a great dog - we'll post pics soon, too. Love this sight, both my wife and I!! Thanks again, Chad |
| Welcome and congrats on your new puppy!
Science Diet is not a high quality dog food, just expensive! I had very awful experiences with it. I would definitely switch to a brand that offer more nutrition. When looking for a food you do not want any Animal by products. Also make sure a meat (whichever you choose I am just using Lamb as an example since that is what I use) like Lamb or Lamb meal is the first ingredient. Science Diet's first ingredient is corn, which is the cause of major allergies with some dogs and also has no nutritional value. |
| I feed Nutro Max large breed Lamb and Rice and ours do well on it (all 7 and a foster pup) BUT, every dog is different and not all foods work well for all dogs. You need to pick one that has good ingredients and try it out.
I would definitely consider the Nutrro Max a much better food than Science Diet. Never feed one that has a grain as the first 2-3 ingredients. Good luck with your pup and I can't wait to see pictures and more stories. |
| O.k. - then I'll start mixing in the Nutro Large Breed dogfood that we got. We just don't want to make our puppy sick so I just wanted to make sure that we shoudn't just stick with Science Diet. Now that I'm reading all your comments, I'm glad we bought the Nutro.
He's doing really well.......except for at night. He woke up every hour and a half last night and howled - even though he was in our bedroom and I was again lying on the floor in our bedroom next to his wire crate. My wife wanted me to just take him out and let him sleep in our bed but I'm very hesitant to start that - am I right in my thinking?? Thanks again, Chad |
Yes you are right in your thinking. Those are hard habits to break once they're started. So, unless you're prepared to share your bed with a 100 lbs baby, don't let him sleep with you now. 
Of course, there are lots of folks on the board who love having their sheepies sleep with them  , so it's just your preference. |
| Could he be howling because he needs to go out? We were taking our 8 week pup out every hour on the hour...at night we went alittle longer but that little bladder couldn't hold it for long.
At that young age, they really cannot control their bladder so when its time to go, they will just go 
Sleeping in your bed is NOT a good idea...even sleeping lying next to him is not what I would think is good. Its best to get him used to the crate at night...and it may mean some noise for the first few days. Leaving the crate in your bedroom is good. He can see you and smell you etc... Not sure if it'll help, it did for us, but we put a cover over three sides of the crate to make it cozy yet he could still look out and see us through the uncovered side...Use a cotton sheet if its warm so not to get the puppy warm in this hot weather. |
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