Hello; my puppy Lucy is now nearly 4 months old. I have been feeding her the normal orijin puppy( because I ordered the wrong bag) but now we have used all that I am starting her on the large breed food. She has been having 120g of the normal puppy food. The feeding guidance on the large breed says for 5kg puppies 160g a day, and for 10kg puppies 270g per day. This is based on an adult 30kg dog. Lucy only weighs 7.5 kg at 16 weeks and I have been told she will probably only be about 20kg as an adult so I was thinking for her current weight that equates to approx 215g, but given as an adult she will be smaller maybe I should start with about 175g? Do you think this sounds about right? Many thanks, Helen
Hi Helen, The guides on the bag are really just a starting point. It depends entirely on the puppy, their activity levels (both as far as walks go and just generally around the house). Mostly, Labs don't need anywhere near the amount stated in the feeding guides. So, go with your gut instinct for now, and after a few days, assess her body shape. Is she losing weight? Increase the amount slightly. Is she getting a bit podgy? Reduce the amount slightly.
I'd go with 200 and see how it goes. If she looks like she's getting too skinny or too fat adjust it accordingly. We use medium puppy as Libby isn't going to be big either. She's 9 months and about 20kg now. Will know for sure tomorrow. Best guide is their rib look- skin over the ribs should look and feel like a thin blanket not a sheet or duvet. Try 200 for a week and see...
Thanks for your replies, thats really helpful. She has a well defined waist and I can feel her ribs, spine etc so I think she is round about the right weight now. I will go with about 200g and see how we go- she is being weighed at the vets in 10 days so can see then how she's getting on weight wise. Thanks again.
