Firstly I just wanted to say that I've asked a couple of questions on here now and I've been really impressed with all the advice I've received. Books can only tell you so much and is only one persons opinion, on the boards you get to hear things from several different perspectives.

With that in mind I took the advice I got in here and changed my Westie Pup to Natures Diet. I wouldn't say she loves it but she's def better on it than either Pedigree or Bakers.

She's 16 weeks and the pack says for her weight (about 4kg) she should be eating 3 meals per day and half a pack per meal. But she soesn't even eat a whole pack in a day let alone 1.5 packs. Also, she only eats twice a day - breakfast and then again about 7ish. If I feed her before this time she just turns her nose up at it. She also has the occasional nibble on some complete dried food, half a schmaco in the morning when I go out and half at bed time and also a tripe stick (though not daily). I'm worried that she's eating too little and too far apart. Although she will leave her bowl when she's full and is still racing around like a lunatic.

Do I need to be concerned? Is she not eating because she doesn't like it or because she's just genuinely had enough? The vet told us to only leave bowls down for 30 mins and then remove if not eaten (thus making her hungry for next meal) and he also said that we shouldn't worry too much about the quants. suggested on the food packets as they always tell you to feed more than you actually need to.

Also, can anyone confirm at what stage on Natures Diet to Puppies change to adult food as I'm sure on their web-site it said 4 months but the pet shop said six months and all other puppy food seems to be about 12 months for her breed.

All suggestions greatly appreciated.

Your vet is absolutely right although I think 10 minutes is long enough (LOL). Dogs are like humans they all have different appetites, needs, temperaments and whilst some of us inflate at just the thought of one doughnut others can eat the equivalent of 4 main meals without feeling satiated. If your dog is healthy, energetic and content then it is having enough. Remember it is in the manufacturer's interests to sell more of the stuff! You don't want a fat pet neither do you want a fussy one! (LOL). Relax, enjoy and think of all the money she is saving you. :)

I have a Cairn, which are the same size as Westies. My Cairn would never have eaten 1.5 packs of Nature Diet when she was 4 months old. It absolutely would have been too much. If your Westie is eating about a pack a day, plus the snacks you mentioned, it sounds absolutely fine to me.

Regardless of how much a dog eats, if you can just feel the ribs when you press lightly they are eating enough and at the right weight. Although puppies can go through growing spurts where they seem to stretch out and seem too lean, if so increase the food a little

Stacey

Hi Claire,

A lot of dogs eliminate the 3rd feed themselves. I have 1 girl at 17 weeks she is fed 2 times a day now since last week. She was not interested in the middle feed.

Don't worry too much about the pack guidelines and imho only, most people find their dogs eat less that the recommended amount. Think they are trying to make you buy more :-).

Westies are only little dogs. I always say use your eyes and your hands if she feels fine and looks fine then she is getting enough food.

I think one of the packs of Natures diet is more than enough and they smackos are food in themselves even if given as treats, I think they have a huge amount of protein.

You sound like everything is fine. Running around like a lunitic sounds like a healthy westie to me.. :-)

Re the age I am not sure of the exact contents of the natures diet, but some diets are for right up to 1 year.

A westies doesn't need huge amounts of protein after 6 months but that is just My honest opinion. Don't worry about the exact time of change just do it gradual at around 6 months.

In my opinion You do not need to be concerned. :-)

Enjoy your puppy you are doing everything right.

Pam

Toesy, my Staffy is 6 months he gets 1 1/2 pack of Nature Diet per day, so yes I suppose that would be to much for a Westie. Also I have still got Toesy on the puppy pack, I was wondering when to change to the adult ones myself.

Michelle.

I was trying to find the website to compare the difference between puppy and adult but could not find the site. Anyone have the link?

Thanks Pam

http://www.naturediet.co.uk/

Have just checked the web-site and it def says that the puppy food is suitable for up to 4 months in which case I should be changing Molly to adult but this doesn't seem quite right to me. The contents are:

Puppy:
Protein: 12%
Oil: 7%
Fibre: 1.5%
Ash: 1.5%
Moisture: 75%
Ingredients: Chicken, Lamb, Tripe, Carrots, Brown Rice, Natural Ground Bone, Seaweed, Minerals, Vit A (1250 iu/kg), Vit D3 (150 iu/kg), Vit E (20 mg/kg)

Adult:
Protein: 10%
Oil: 6%
Fibre: 1%
Ash: 1.5%
Moisture: 75%
Ingredients: Chicken, Lamb, Tripe, Carrots, Min 8%, Brown Rice, Min 10%, Natural Ground Bone, Seaweed, Minerals, Vit A 1250 iu/kg, Vit D3 150 iu/kg, Vit E 20 mg/kg

What do you think? i know I've asked this before but can I just check that it is 'complete' ?

Hi Claire,

That is what I was expecting , there is not much difference between them.

Being honest and just my opinion I would not worry when you change either use the puppy food up till 6 months or change at 4 months. I think I many be inclined to carry the puppy food on till 6-8 months as they grow quick rapidly until about 8 months then the growth slows down a little.

My opinion is based on my westies alone but that amount of protein is all that is required for a westie. It is natural and good quality protein.

BFN Pam

Pam

Thanks for the advice (again). I feel silly asking so many questions, but as I said in my original post, you can only learn so much from books and it's nice to speak to people who actually have the experience.

Thanks Again.
Claire.

Claire,

Don't worry you are doing a grand job. I ask questions a lot also. It is the best way of learning or at least getting reassurance.

When I had my pups earlier in the year there was a couple people who's brains were picked daily. ( They will laugh if they read this) . I read and read and had planned for a good year plus but it is human nature to need that reassurance. Needless to say I was fine and it all fell into place but the reassurance helped me no end.

Pam

Hi Claire...

I have a Cairn pup a cousin of your breed and coming up to 17 weeks old this week. I switched to naturediet 3 weeks ago from JWB after reading info here and asking experiences in a Cairn chat group I belong to... exclusively glowing reports and my experience has been great. Before switching I contacted naturediet through theirmweb site, and they sent me a personal letter plus a wealth of info on feeding.

Apologies if this gets long - but I will reproduce their written guides advice for you and recommend contacting them direct to get the whole picture. All the following are word for word extracts:

1) "We recommend when a puppy approaches 20-24 weeks of age, gradually to stop feeding Naturediet Puppy and move on to our other varieties within the range, with the exception of Naturediet Lite which is lower in calories"

2) "The feeding guide in this booklet gives you the required amounts of food for different szed dogs however, like us dogs vary considerably in their metabolism and lifestyle so it is well to monitor your dogs weight and adjust the feeding level accordingly"

3) I am taking this from their feeding chart - closest weight for your dog, unfortunately they dont mention your or my breed.

Typical breed: King Charles Spaniel - Up to 4 months weight 4.5kg packs 1 1/2. Up to 6 months weight 6kg packs 1 3/4

4) From the letter:

"The puppy feeding guide is located on the middle pages of the brochure, it is based on the maximum quantities that may be fed to your pup.... "

Back to normal speak now ;).

My understanding is that as long as weight gain is happening then there is nothing to worry about. Feed little and often because they have small stomachs reducing frequency as their stomach grow, personally am now reducing to 3 times a day from 4.

They don't suggest in the material I have moving to adult at 4 months, but at 6. The amount of food reduces a lot once you hit adult and growing has stopped... earlier for us than the large breeds because . Pups need about double an adult.

I dont know the adult weight of your breed maybe close to my own of 6 - 7.5kg [though my dog is well on the way to that and not overweight]. They do say the guide is for max amounts, and that like people dogs like people are different.

Naturediet is a complete food - and I am VERY happy with it and so is my dog.

Hope this helps, and again I recommend contacting them direct.

Regards Dave