Feeding
So I know this is a common topic. Awhile ago I read the post on the overweight sheepie. It made me wonder if I over feed Frankie. I am so paranoid of making him overweight. I know with his condition he needs to be thin. I had been feeding him 4 cups of food a day. Some days he wont eat much at all, I just let it go. When he's hungry he will eat. So I decided to cut back thinking that was way to much. I cut back to 3-3 1/2 cups, and when we went to the vet he lost 2 lbs. he weighs 58 lbs at 10 mos. He is extremely active so maybe 4 cups is good. How do I really know what works? I got logged off so it's not going to show my name Babysheepie Lisa and Frankie |
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| Each dog has his or her ideal weight. We can't tell you how much to feed, you have to examine and watch your dog. Each breed is built differently. In the following article, they give example of bulldog vs. greyhound. Their body fat & muscle mass are different. I could explain how to examine a dog but think this article does a better job:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1660&aid=661 Like people, dogs can become food fixated. Could all your love and attention be around food? Instead make exercise, mental stimulation, etc. the love and attention times, feeding something necessary but not a treat. My once 59 pounder, who has blossomed into a 65 pounder, eats less than 2 cups per day. She's a senior with an arthritic paw so doesn't get around as much as she once did and her uprights haven't cut back her food and treats. If your guy is constantly on the go, working farm dog for example, he may need 4 cups.....or if your food is more fill than nutrients. Examine your pup according to pixs in the article and decide. |
Is there a reason you aren't happy with 58lbs? Did the vet say something about it? If they didn't then I would assume your sheepie is fine at 58lbs. My husband always thought we could feed our dogs more because they felt skinny to him. Well the vet(s) all said DO NOT listen to your husband because the dogs were perfect!  People always comment that our dogs feel skinny (often), but I just think they're used to dogs that may need to lose a little and being able to feel where their ribs are is foreign. 
So to answer your question, you can tell how much you should be feeding them by feeling their body. If you feel their ribs but they're not protruding at all... that's at least a good start.  |
| Is the vet unhappy with his weight, as you said he needs to stay slim?
I agree with Mrs J, I think most of us are used to dogs who could lose some weight so we think average is too thin. Having said that; whether a dog is the right weight or not is subjective. I have had Tiggy to two vets in the past 2 months and the first one said she was a little too heavy so I took 4 or 5 pounds off her as recommended. Then the second vet thought she was a bit too thin. He did say though that a little on the thin side is better for big breeds like sheepies so he wasnt too worried. |
| No, at the vet on Thursday, she said he was nice and lean. I admit I'm a big worrier, and worry that one day I'm going to look at him and he's going to have gained to much weight and then I won't be able to take it off of him. Foods all have so many different feeding instructions on them. I just wanted to make sure I was doing right for him.
Lisa |
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