Sorry if I'm becomming a naturediet bore but I could do with some advise re feeding amounts. Harvey is an 11.5 weeks old CKCS weighing 2.5kg so I've worked out that he should be having 360g of Naturediet puppy per day. I'm dividing this into 3 meals but 120g per meal is a LOT in his dish and as he loves it so much, he's gobbling it all up and has a pot belly when he's finished. His poo's are fine but I'm worried that he's having too much.......I don't want to overfeed him but at the same time I don't want to starve him - any suggestions??

Hayley x

Naturediet feeding guides are notoriously on the high side and are the recommended maximum that should be fed daily. You need to use your knowledge of your dog to determine how much to feed. If he seems stuffed after his meal then cut back a bit (many pups are greedy and would eat til they burst). If he still seems hungry and is scavaging for food, then increase it a bit. It's not an exact science as every dog is different, has different activity levels etc. You also need to adjust amounts to take into account any extras the dog might get throughout the day in treats etc. If I had fed my pup the amount recommended by Naturediet, she'd have been a right pudding. I started with about half the recommended amount and worked from there.

You'll know if he's getting enough by feeling his ribcage. If the ribs are nicely covered but you can still feel them easily then he's about right. If you can see the ribs easily then he's too skinny and needs a bit more. If you need to dig around to even find his ribcage, then you need to cut his food back a bit. It is better for dogs to be on the lean side without being to skinny. You see far too many fat dogs waddling around these days (almost every CKCS I see is way too heavy) and there is a danger that people will begin to think that is what a dog should look like :(

HTH

Hayley,

My first suggestion is to stop worrying so much. :-)

If Harvey has a big pot belly even after he relieves himself after eating (I assume he wees or poos soon after a meal) then reduce the amount you are giving him each meal by a little bit.  Just monitor him each week, you should be able to just feel his ribs with light pressure, and feed him more if he seems to get too slim.  Be aware though that puppies go through all sorts of strange growth spurts.  One day they look normal and a few days later they seem to have grown suddenly long and slim like they've been stretched out - and then the next week the rest of their body catches up.

Stacey

I agree with Shaynlola - ND recommends an incredible amount - I think, for my youngest dog it wants me to feed 2 and three quarters packs per day.... 

Instead, I feed 1 pack and it's fine and just right!  (Half a pack morning, half a pack evening).

But I have a large breed and the youngest is 13 months now, so things will be different for an 11 wk old CKCS.

What I would say is - go by what he looks like.  If you can see his ribs, then he's too thin.  If you can't clearly feel his ribs, individually, then he's too fat.  This is better than getting tied up in recommended amounts.

Well, thanks for all the help. Seems best I go with my head and feed what I think is enough! Thanks again.

Hayley x

I'd just add that it is much easier to "feed up" a dog than it is to get weight off one! I struggled for 4 years with my lovely old cocker who, when I inherited him looked like a blue roan barrel on legs. I did achieve some success but like overweight humans the fatter he was, the less interested he was in the sort of exercise that would have really helped get the weight down. I wouldn't want to generalise about spaniels because there are far too many fat dogs around of all breeds but for sure, they do seem to have a positive talent for over-feeding themselves if given the chance! Most petfood manufacturers suggest what seem like ludicrous portions so I don't read their recommendations and you won't go far wrong by going with your head, luvhandles!