On my bag of Nature's Variety this is the serving portions they recommend for thier food.
25lb dog - daily portion 3/4 -1 cup
50lb dog - daily portion 1 1/2 - 2 cups
75lb dog - daily portion 2 1/4 -2 3/4
Nature's Variety kibble contains 428-448 calories per cup.
It does not have a puppy line and it does not mention a puppy serving...so, you might want to feed just a bit higher for a pup....all they say is to free feed puppies. As you can see Nature's Variety has a high calorie content so you don't need to feed as much. My 110lb Rottweiler eats 1 cup of Nature's Variety in the morning mixed with 1 medallion of Nature's Variety freeze dried food mixed with one tablespoon of canned food...she gets the a smaller serving in the evening of 1/2 cup food with a medallion and a tablespoon of canned. She is completely satisfied.
So, basically I would take the size of your pup at current weight and feed a bit higher than what they suggest for an adult serving. What I also do with the nature's Variety is to add their freeze dried meats in which my dogs love...Nature's Variety makes a wonderful canned food- very meaty - the canned Nature's Variety food contains 95% Meat and Organ Meat...California Natural is also wonderful, as well as the whole Natura line You could also try adding a couple of canned sardines packed in water, or wild alaskan salmon canned packed in water...or even a few tidbits of meat. Variety is the the spice of life...I rotate my dogs foods every few months...and include home prepared meals...have you tried some home prepared raw meals?
Some pups are also picky eaters and some just know when they have had enough food. If the pup was not used to eating a lot before you took him in he may have eaten smaller meals and less per day...the calorie dense foods may make him feel fuller faster....a poor quality the pup would need more and expel more none used food. Basically just like if I fast for one day, the next day I can't eat as much as I did before the fast. Some (like my mother always said that your stomach has shrunk
. Also keep in mind to increase food gradually, if the pup over eats (which so many people seem to over feed puppies) they tend to get diarrhea etc. and a fat puppy can have problems later on in life. So, your puppy knows when to walk away from the dinner plate...I should be taking lessons from your pup.
Have you Vet check your puppy over to be sure he is not underweight. You may also want to get some nutrious snacks and treats and give some through out the day doing basic training...some people...honest to goodness this happens...we have a client whose dog is a picky eater and won't eat it's meals....the owner is of course concerned about this lack of interest. He brings the dog in for a bath, it looks like a coffee table its so fat, and he is popping treats into the dogs mouth like theres no tomorrow! and he wonders why the dog doesnt have an appeitite for meals...haha
Keep in mind that treats can really add up quickly...it's amazing how many pet owners think dog treats have no calories! haha.
Of course, I am no expert....I am just going by what I am currently feeding my dogs.
