Hi, my labrador pup is now just over 13 and a half weeks old and is currently fed on Iams puppy junior, she is doing really well on it and looks fantastic.  I was just wondering when it would be ok for me to change her meal times down from 4 times a day to 3.  She is currently fed 300 gms a day and now weighs just over 10kg.

Also, when should I start to consider changing over to an adult food, I realise she's still too young, but just want to know.  Which are the top best adult feeds?  By the looks of it from this forum, Burns seems to be quite popular.  Are there any others worth considering?  Some years ago, our working dogs used to be fed on Skinners and tripe, the smell was disgusting, but they loved it and always looked great on it.

Thanks, Jo.

Suprised your pup is on Junior would have thought it would still be on puppy. Think it may be too soon to drop a meal but Labs are not my breed, best person to ask is your pups breeder.

Hi Jo, as I have never used Iams I cannot comment on it. However I would recommend that you feed a holistic puppy food until at least 6 months old, preferably 8 months and then progress on to an adult maintence diet after 8 months. I would continue with 4 feeds daily until your puppy is around 18 weeks and should be on two meals a day at 26 weeks.  The amount fed to a lab can vary, that you will have to judge for yourself, but at 13weeks and 10Kg it seems about right. You should aim for a nicely rounded puppy that has enought substance to grow into but is not rolling in fat. Overfeeding puppies can cause serious joint/health problems as can over/under excersise. A raw beef marrowbone every couple of weeks will keep her occupied and clean her teeth well too. Eggs, including shell, fresh fruit and vegetables, make excellent treats.

Kay

Hi
personally i think a puppy at 13 weeks should be fed 3 times a day, on puppy food then at about 6 months old put him on junior and two meals per day,
I would never feed my lab on Iams they experiment on animals :(
why not try something more natural like Burns and also fruit and veg,
i have had trouble with my lab putting to much weight on so i now feed him on Burns, chicken and rice, it has no added salt and colourings,
I also know longer feed him with doggy biscuits, for a treat he has fruit/veg and an occasional bone from the butchers which helps keep his teeth clean :)

Heidi

That is interesting are you talking of Labs? Would think the amount of food was too much for 3 meals but they are not my breed so I would be please to hear if I am wrong.

yes Jackie 300gm does sound to much for a 13 week old pup but dont know what the recommended amount of Iams is never fed it never will :D

Heidi