How much did/do you feed your puppy? 9 weeks old. And treats!

[Nikki & Charlie]

Hey all,

How much do you feed your pups? I know all puppies are different and require different amounts, but I just came across a post that said something about feeding your puppy three times a day..

Charlie is fed 3/4 cup twice a day, morning and night, 7am and 6pm. By night time he is starvinnnnnng. Our breeder and vet told us twice a day is fine. Sometimes he doesn't eat all his food if he's distracted and wants to go play, but if I stand beside him he'll eat all his food.

Also, what store bought treats do you give your pups? Which brands? Charlie is still so young so I haven't boughten much, but when I do begin buying more, my plan is to stick to treats with the least ingredients.

[Joan Bollaert]

I think you're supposed to feed puppies as young as yours three to four times per day . I personally don't think the little guy should be "starving" by the time he eats again at 7pm. Think about anyone would feel not being allowed to eat anything for 12 hrs. He is growing,. Twice per day is for adult dogs not puppies so young.

[Nikki & Charlie]

I completely agree... I'm just wondering why I've been told two times a day. It definitely doesn't seem like enough! I'm going to see how he does being fed three times a day today. I'll feed him less but more frequently. Thank you!

[Joan Bollaert]

I wouldn't feed him less either. He's a growing puppy and probably energetic. Why should he be ravenously hungry at mealtime? He should feel satisfied not starving. It's said to put food up after 20 minutes. If I noticed he polishes off all his food and looks frantically for more, I'd probably put more in his bowl from the start but still take it away after 20 minutes.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Nikki,

Young puppies should be fed three times per day until they are 4-6 months old. Eleven hours is way too long for a young puppy to go without eating. They can't consume enough food at one time to meet their needs.

Amounts per feeding vary widely depending on what food you are using, since they all have different calorie content.

As to treats, we have a list of recommended brands here in TFG: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/recomme...

We also have a recommended food brand list. Treats made by any of the companies on this list are also fine.: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/recomme...

I don't know how long you have had your pup, but you should not change or add anything to his diet for at least two weeks after he comes home, and then make only one change at a time. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What food are you feeding? 

[Nikki & Charlie]

I started feeding him three times a day, I do about 1/2-3/4 a cup in the morning, 1/4 cup at lunch and 1/2-3/4 at dinner but he still seems to be STARVING before dinner even comes. That's the amount, if not more, than his TLC food recommendation, which is 1.25 cups a day. I've also added some pumpkin to his dinner meals which he loves.

When I try to feed him more at breakfast he doesn't eat it all. Maybe I should increase his lunch and less breakfast? He eats at 630/7am, 12-1230pm and 530-6pm depending how hungry he is.

[Vivian & Mojo]

I feed my Doodle 4 times a day and really question your breeder's advise feeding 2x.

I gave him morsels of his food as a treat for the first few weeks then grain free treats with healthy ingredients. (Zukes)

[Nikki & Charlie]

Yeah the 2x a day was NOT enough. I feel like three times a day isn't enough for him either because by dinner he is starving. At what times do you feed your pup?

[Tina McNerthney]

Three times a day at least. I was feeding Baxter, who is now 16 weeks, the recommended amount on the Fromm puppy package for his age and weight and also feeding him training treats. Foods are different, so you need to read the instructions to get a sense of the proper daily amount. I think I was feeding Baxter the amount that you have been feeding Charlie when he was 9 weeks old - a total of 1.5 cups a day. I figured the calories from the treats would bump him up to the right amount of total daily calories. Baxter devoured his food quickly and at our last vet appointment (13 weeks), the vet asked me to feed him a bit more. Through all the fur, he was too ribby and I'm not too experienced and wasn't able to tell if I was feeding . If he's wolfing down the food and looking for more, feed him a bit more. He's a pup, after all. As long as you feed him healthy food and treats, it should be fine. Basically, the directions on the package are a good start, but you've got to use your good judgment, too, if it seems like too much or too little. Good luck!

[Nikki & Charlie]

Yeah for Charlie I'm thinking it's not enough. By dinner he acts as if he's never seen food all day! He waits by his food bowl and even waits by the closet that his food is in? I don't want to over feed but don't want to underfed either.

[Tina McNerthney]

As far as treats, Baxter's favorites are the Solid Gold tiny tots lamb jerky dog treats. He also likes Organix Castor and Pollux peanut butter flavor cookies. For training, I slice up part-skim organic mozzarella string cheese and he loves it. Some dogs don't do well on dairy and I limit Baxter's intake. It's important to have treats they love for training purposes.

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

At 8 months old Tenley (32lbs) eats 1/2 cup 2x a day. He eats Orijen. We used to give him 1/4 cup 3x a day until he was 20lbs. Both seem like so little food to me but he is actually on the heavy side, the vet said she would like to see him closer to 30 because he is a little chunky right now (I swear there are ribs in there somewhere!)

He gets a fair number of treats during the day. Our doorman gives him two buddy biscuits every single time he comes in the house (4-5x a day). That's probably why he's overweight while still eating so little.