Labrador Puppy - Feeding

[killerz298]

I have a 15.5 week old labrador puppy who doesn't get much exercise. I am feeding him Canidae all life stages and have been feeding him about 1.5 cups of food a day with many treats for training (biscuts, apples, peanut butter, cheese, hot dogs). I took him to the vet a week and a half ago and she said his weight was good 25.4 lbs.

Looking at the feeding directions on the bag I am a bit confused.

http://www.canidae.com/dogs/all_life_stages/dry.html

When it says dog weight, does that mean FINAL weight or current weight? If it means final weight I should be feeding him 4-5 cups a day according to the chart. If it means current weight it should be 2-5 cups.

Since the vet said he is a good weight should I keep feeding him the 1.5/2 cups or should I go with the bag and up it even more? I don't want him to get overweight but I also don't want him to be starving. It is so hard to tell with him because he will eat ANYTHING in sight.

Any of you guys with labs or similar dogs using this food? How much are you feeding?

 

[Herschel]

From my own experience, Canidae's guidelines are a bit on the high side. Supposedly, we should be feeding our fairly active 9 month puppy 1 cup/day. We tried that, and he turned his nose away from the food because he was always too full. Half the time, he wouldn't finish. Now, we feed him 2/3 of a cup per day and he loves every meal and doesn't look around for more after he finishes.

With a lab, your dog is always going to look for food. Go by his current weight and his current status as a puppy. Thus, you should keep feeding 1 and 1/2 cups per day.

 

[bubbatd]

Don't forget the bag doesn't take into account his snacks .... I'd say if it ain't broke , don't fix it . Kudos for wondering !

 

[killerz298]

Cool thats what I was figuring. I guess I will stick it out with 1.5 cups and snacks and just keep weighing him at the vet to make sure all is well. Is his weight the only thing to consider though when determining if the proper amount of food is being given?

 

[Herschel]

I believe overfed Labs get fatty deposits. Just keep checking with your vet.

 

[juliefurry]

Labs are usually ALWAYS hungry! I would go more by look and not by what the bag says. If he starts looking/feeling too skinny up the amount of food a little bit. You should be able to slightly feel ribs but not see them. Our bernese mountain dog puppy is 5 months old and is 30 lbs and only gets 2 and 1/2 cups per day and she's fine and gaining weight great. I usually up her food 1/4 cup every week or week and a half.

 

[ks02]

Wow, that seems so small for a lab puppy. Our lab is 18.5 weeks and 46 pounds. He eats between 3.5-4 cups of Chicken Soup Large Breed puppy formula a day and still looks skinny to me! Apparently he's also at a good weight according to the vet, so I don't plan on changing anything now. He has been gaining 2-3 pounds a week as well. Is this growth rate appropriate? Both parents were big for labs, so I assume this has something to do with it as well.

 

[Spirit2010]

yes! Labs are always hungry, so be careful when he gets older. I have a 6 year old Lab, I only feed him once a day. I probably should feed him twice a day, but.. Well, Male Labs, can get up to 100 pounds. I think that is too big though. Cause our Lab was 98 pounds, (was overweight) And now he 89 pounds at 6 years old. but you should slightly feel his ribs, and not see them. Good luck! (I know this might not of helped though, I hope it did) I gave you some info when he gets older. And Labs are high strung when they are pups too, so exercise him when you can. but like I said, good luck, and have fun with your Lab puppy, while he is still a puppy!

 

[Julie]

Wow, that seems so small for a lab puppy. Our lab is 18.5 weeks and 46 pounds. He eats between 3.5-4 cups of Chicken Soup Large Breed puppy formula a day and still looks skinny to me! Apparently he's also at a good weight according to the vet, so I don't plan on changing anything now. He has been gaining 2-3 pounds a week as well. Is this growth rate appropriate? Both parents were big for labs, so I assume this has something to do with it as well.

Dogs will grow at different rates. My shiloh weighed 24 lbs at 14 weeks and she was 30lbs at 16.5 weeks. Her adult weight is 65 lbs.
My charlie weighed much more at the same ages. He is 93 lbs. and still not fat.

A way to guess your dogs adult weight is double their weight at sixteen weeks. It worked for both of my labs.

And the original question... I would feed enough to make the body look good...don't go overboard, Labs will gain weight easily when they reach maturity.

 

[killerz298]

So my lab was gaining weight about 2lbs a week and he was up to around 53 lbs. I was feeding him about 1.5-2 cups of canidae a day and then all of a sudden over a month he dropped 10 lbs (he did have a minor stomach virus for 2 days though). His behavior is normal and he gets about an hour to run and wrestle in the dog park per day which isn't much more than before. The vet did an exam and stool sample and said it was normal. He said his weight and look is very healthy for his age and size and that I shouldn't be concerned unless it keeps dropping. I have been feeding him 3-3.5 cups a day for the past 2 weeks and will take him for a weigh in tomorrow to see the results.

Can you guys think of any reason for the drastic need for increased food? I thought the amount of food they need goes down after around 6 months?