Hello all,
Maybe some of you experienced dogowners can give me some advice on this please... I have a Golden retriever puppy who is 13 weeks old. I feed her on James Wellbeloved puppy food and she is doing very well on it - apart from the fact that she eats a lot less than the packet suggests she should eat! I had her checked by a vet recently who said she is fine, just a little on the slim side and I should encourage her to eat more of her dinner. So I put cooked chicken in the food, a little cheese and even small bits of hot dog, but there's no way she will eat more. After a certain amount she will even leave treats because she's had enough. Right now she eats about 150g of dry food a day, and I'm not sure this is enough? I do put any uneaten food away after 30min of feeding her, and make sure she's not disturbed while eating. She doesn't get any food inbetween her 3 meals a day, apart from little treats when I train her. She seems very happy though, playful and alert.
I should add maybe that her mother is also quite petite and was apparently very thin as a puppy... What should I do? Am I worrying too much? Thanks for any advice!!!
Ulrike

If the dog is happy to eat her fill without needing coaxing, and she is otherwise fit and healthy (if a little slim) then I really wouldn't worry about it. Dogs all have different appetites and the details on the side of a bag of dog food is only a guide. If your girl is doing well on a little less, then that's probably all she needs.

Next time you visit the vet, ask whether she is just a little slim, or is she is truly underweight. If she's just on the slim side, then that might be just the way she is and she's perfectly fine - and it sounds like mum was the same. If the vet is worried about her weight, then that is more serious, but it doesn't sound like that is a problem.

Our girl Tallulah was a nightmare with food and as a puppy turned her nose up at anything that was good for her. We really struggled to get her weight up to the "breed standard" for her age, until she got to about 18 months old and all of a sudden she ended up chubby. We'd been convincing her to eat when she wasn't hungry - she wasn't ill, she just knew to stop eating when she was full (which is more than I can say for a lot of people). Now I know that, so long as there isn't an underlying health issue, let the dogs decide when they are full, even if some meals go untouched.

We have a new puppy now and attend puppy classes at our vets. Every week there is a "weigh in" and the other owners are really competitive about whose dog has gained the most weight, as if that means they are better owners. This week one guy looked so smug, and all I could do was feel sorry for his fat ball of a black lab pup, who could probably do with a few less treats and more time in the park.

I think the advice on the food bag does tend to over-estimate how much food pup needs, so I would give her about 1 third less each meal and gradually increase when she is finishing it all. Above all, as long as she is well in herself, don't worry, she won't starve! :-)

Almost all packaging wants everyone to feed several times more than the dog really needs. :) I've never fed any of my animals as much as bags or cans say as some of the amounts given are outrageous. So I feed what they look right on. :)

Hi i to have a slim young golden who has always been picky with food,how ever much i try to temp her she eats the amount she wants only. when i told my vet this she said she was fine and just the right weight and not to worry,she is a very active GR. my other GR will eat any thing that comes her way,she is greedy,hence being a bit chubby. They dont get what it says on the bag that would be far to much.

I actually write in My puppy contracts that they need between 2/3rd and 3/4s only of what the manufacturers recommend else they will be fat or have dire rear!

I don't think I know anyone whose dogs of the correct condition eat anywhere near the amounts on the advice labels.

On the slim side is healthier for your dog., and yoru far less likely for the pups to ahve problems with it's bones.

Thank you all for your kind advice. It's good to know that some of you have had similar experiences. I now just let her eat however much she wants - and not worry about it. I will however go to regular monthly weigh-ins at my local vets to make sure she's just slim and not underweight.
Thanks!!!
Ulrike

My oldest Golden  (nearly 14) was a nightmare to feed as a puppy. I used to be following her around with bits of chicken in my hand just to tempt her. It never worked. I think she was just too inquistive/active to be that bothered about food. Now, I would never worry. When she became an adult she started to eat as much as you would give her. The food manufacturers always tell you to feed far more than is necessary.