How much and how often - Lab puppy food question!

Discussion in 'Labrador Puppies' started by EMB4, Aug 17, 2018.

  1. EMB4

    EMB4 Registered Users

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2018
    Messages:
    1
    Hi Everyone!

    Newbie here :)

    We currently have Lola, a yellow Lab. She's 23 weeks and currently weights around 15kg.

    The past couple of weeks her poo's have come from being brilliant to being quite soft, as a result we thought we would start weening her onto Junior food (currently on Skinner dry puppy food). She still has 3 feeds a day and about 350g in total.

    Im so confused about when I should be moving her to 2 feeds a day and if I am feeding her too much!

    Any guidance would be appreciated!

    Many thanks!
     
  2. Birkes

    Birkes Registered Users

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2018
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Croatia
    Hi EMB4,
    I think it is too early to switch on 2 feeds. With 23 weeks and 15 kg Lola is not overweight.
    This is my dog, 25 weeks, around 20kg, 3 feeds (2x kibble + 1x BARF) and I think she is just right, not too skinny or overweight. It all depend on dog, food, activity.....

    tora.JPG
     
  3. pippa@labforumHQ

    pippa@labforumHQ Administrator

    Joined:
    May 10, 2011
    Messages:
    5,508
    Hi there and welcome to the forum :)

    Frequency of feeding: The traditional advice used to be 4 meals a day until 3 months, 3 meals a day until 6 months, 2 meals a day until a year (or indefinitely)

    However, there is no harm in keeping the smaller more frequent meals going for longer if you want to. A good reason for feeding more frequently is if larger (less frequent) meals upset a dog's stomach. The more quantity that goes into the dog in one hit, the more likely it is to cause digestive problems. And not all dogs reach the point where they can digest larger meals at the same age. If a dog has soft stools, then dropping from three small to two bigger meals might make that worse.

    How much to feed in a day: The only way to effectively judge whether or not your dog is getting enough (or too much) to eat is by their feel and appearance. The weight or quantity of their food is only a very rough guideline because even dogs from the same breed and at the same age may have very different needs.

    Do you have some photos of your dog? Would you say she is slim or a bit plump? Can you feel her ribs when you press your hands firmly along her flanks?
     

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