My pup seems to be starving on the suggested feeding amount on the side of the lable of Nutro Choice Dog Food.  I am supposed to feed about 580 grams a day, split into three meals, but he finishes it off so quickly and starts snooping for more.  To test, i decided i would feed him till he was full.  He ate 580 grams in one sitting, and was able to do that three times in one day.  Now i'm totally confused.  Ive read about overfeeding, and am trying to do things so carefully, but this doesnt make any sense.  It is also very expensive as I am feedin Nutro Choice Dog Food for Large Puppy at the cost of 6.99/kg, which now last less than three days. 

Any advice is more than welcome.

I should add according to the website: http://www.nutro.co.uk/dog/index.htm (He is 20 kg and 5 monts) he should be eating 315-585 grams per day.  I also know it states each dog is different, but I have a Bordeaux and I am suppose to be very careful about him growing too fast.  That is what is confusing me.

Thanks.

Hi,

I don't know much about Bordeauxs so don't know if they are greedy dogs generally.  If he's 20kg and you were to feed him 580g 3 times a day then that would be grossly over feeding him, and could cause many health problems not least of which would be the possibility of him growing too quickly which could lead to joint problems.  I have never fed Nutro but generally the feeding guidelines on like foods are on the generous side and normally less then the recommended amount is required.

There could be a few reasons why he seems so hungry or interested in food.  Firstly is he up-to-date with his worming?  This is very important for pups, and if dogs have worms it can make them ravenously hungry.  If his worming is up-to-date then maybe this food just doesn't suit him and it may be worth trying another complete.  Arden Grange and JWB are both good food and there are quite a few others about.  Are you doing training with him and playing games with him, generally keeping him mentally occupied?  If he's not getting enough stimulation he could be bored and focusing on food as a result.  (I'm not saying this is the case :-) )

Some dogs are just more greedy than others, and if this is the case you need to work out how much food he needs to keep him at a good weight, some dogs need slightly more some slightly less but certainly not 3 or 4 times the recommended daily guidelines. 

If this is something that has suddenly started then maybe it would be worth a check up at the vets to make sure there are no medical reasons behind it.

HTH, All the best,

Karen

I would speak to your breeder about this. 

In my breed, for example, I would happily feed all I could regardless of recommendations (within reason) to a pup, because they tend to be quite rangey and not put down bone well unless you really try to get food in them when young. 

In other breeds, like labs, for eg, if you fed all they wanted to eat, you'd end up with a little barrel. 

Really you need to speak to others in your breed and see what they say.

I have a dobe,
he has always had above the recommendations on packet! he is now 35 kg at just 8 months and is far from being a fat dog, infact his ribs still show through, but not like they used too
I usually fed him to his poo!! sounds strange, but if he starts to get on the loose side then I know he is eating too much, then just reduce it a bit each day till we get a normal poo again, then I know that is enough to suit him. It is hard as he would eat a whole daily ration each feed if allowed too :rolleyes: This set up seems to suit us, although I do use the guidelines on food as a starting point and work from there. Sorry if that is confusing, probably haven't explained it well.
Emma

>I usually fed him to his poo!!

When I first read that sentence I didn't notice the word 'to' ... :D

lol JG I know when i was reading it back, I misread it too given half a chance he would probably do that too :rolleyes:

>In my breed,<

Onetwothree what is your breed? :)