Growth Spurt?

[diane silver]

Now that Emma is approaching four months, it seems she is asking for more food. She's been getting three meals a day, totaling one cup, but today she asked for more at lunchtime and at dinnertime. I was wondering if this is normal, or if it was just a "fluke". I suppose that if she is wanting more food it's because she needs more. Anyone have the same experience with their pups?

[Sam]

This is the recipe I was given which will apparently last about a fortnight - you make it up and then freeze into portions -
5kgs pet mince, 2cups bran, 3 cups grated raw vegetables (carrot/pumpkin, zucchini, broccoli or combination of all), 2 cups natural yoghurt or grated cheese, 3 cups boiled brown rice or pasta. mix and add a good quality vitamin supplement (from pet store).
Like I said earlier I haven't actually put Ollie on this as I am still just adding mince and dairy to his dry food. It certainly sounds easy enough to make.
I have started putting cottage cheese in his dinner instead of the yoghurt and he is LOVING it!!!!!!

[diane silver]

Hi Katherine,
I think that your Sandy is my Emma's littermate? She was born on June 2nd from Log Cabin's Willie Nelson and Mimi. . . . anyway, she is now four months and weighs 12 pounds. I've been feeding only Organix kibble but mix in a bit of canned food or cottage cheese at night. My vet actually disagrees with the raw food completely and is concerned about EColi or other types of problems, so I decided not to go that route. I've begun feeding Emma about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups of food three times per day, and she seems to be satisfied and doing quite well. I'm probably going to go to two meals per day once she hits 6 months, and may change her food. According to Whole Dog Journal, they recommend changing a dog's food every few months, because they believe that each food contains different nutrients and that it's important for the dog to have the benefit of each.

[katherine willis]

Hi Diane,

Sandy was born June 1 to Betty Grable and Willie Nelson at Log Cabin so I guess that makes them half sister/half brother. I'm quite interested in what the pros and cons are of the raw diet. The concept was really new to me. Sandy is my 4th pup and the others all had dry kibble. As I did some research, I found that there are various opinions now about the best diets for dogs. I appreciate hearing your vets concerns. I intend to watch articles on this closely.

[Donna Griffin]

Hi, Diane-
Jack is Emma's littermate and he weighed 15.3 pounds yesterday. He is very active and I have been feeding him twice a day 1/2Cup Force dehydrated raw food from Honest Kitchens to which I added 1.3oz. raw hamburger, 1T shredded cheddar cheese and 1T canned pumpkin. (Honest Kitchens recommends 1-2cups of Force per day for dogs 10-30lbs...and Jack has been steadily gaining weight on this amount) I just changed his diet this morning. He's now big enough to leap up to the "safe" place where I was feeding the cat and he overturned the cat's kibble bowl and started munching away. The last time I tried to feed him kibble, he wouldn't touch it. This morning I got out the bag that I thought was going to go to the animal shelter and gave him 3/4Cup of Natural Planet Organics (chicken & vegetables). He loved it! Go figure. This whole thing is very interesting because for the past week, he hasn't been all that excited about breakfast. Sometimes I saved the leftovers and added it to his supper and he would eat the whole thing. Other times I gave him the leftovers for lunch. Some days he just isn't as hungry as other days. Anyway, we'll see how things work out with the new plan.

[diane silver]

Thanks for your note, Donna. I thought your comment about Jack not wanting to eat breakfast was so true, because Emma sometimes is uninterested in the morning meal also. I generally leave the food down and if she eats it before lunch, I will offer her more. I'm feeding about 1 1/4 cups per day and at suppertime I generally will add about a tablespoon of either cottage cheese or canned Wellness Puppy, which she loves. Again, I think we have to "play" with the food issue, but in the meantime, our puppies are thriving and adorable, right?

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

I also feed twice a day....almost 2 cups...might be a little less. I think all dogs eat differently. My female could probably go a day w/out eating...however my male is a little piggy. I think regardless you should still to the same amount each day. Years ago I had an overweight dog...I free fed, but at the time didn't realize what it was doing to him. I now make sure it is measured each day. I would just talk with your vet at your next appt. Good luck.