Two Unrelated Questions...Deer Guts & How Long Do You Feed 3X a Day

[Debbie and Bentley]

My first question is regarding 5 1/2 month old Bentley, who found deer guts that were dragged up from the woods. I am going to blame my husband, but since it is deer season they could have come from any adjoining property. Bentley doesn't go into the woods, but my 10 yr. old mix sometimes at this time of year drags things up. I keep Bentley on a leash, but with our first snow, I let him run and play. We live on 20 wooded acres, and a large yard around the house. He was really chowing down by the time I realized he was eating something, and then the chase began. I did call the vet, and they just said to watch him for symptoms for the next couple of days. My older dog has an iron stomach, and nothing ever gets her sick, but since he is still a pup I am worried. A leg bone would not worry me as much as the guts.....nasty! I was just wondering if anyone has experience with this.

My second question, is how long should I be feeding Bentley 3X a day. Thanks :)

[Deborah Brown]

Deer guts wouldn't be my first choice of diet for Bentley but he should be OK unless it was really old or had gone rancid.  I would follow your vet's advice.

I think most dogs give up lunch around 6 months.  You will know when your dog doesn't seem as interested in that midday meal.

[Debbie and Bentley]

Thanks, Deborah.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There's not much you can do about the deer guts other than follow your vet's advice and watch him. However, I would not allow a puppy (or most adult dogs, actually) to have unsupervised free reign of an unfenced wooded area. There are a lot worse things they could get into than deer guts. :)

You generally switch to 2 meals a day between 4-6 months, so Bentley is definitely old enough. Many puppies start to show less interest in meal time, which can be an indication that it's time. 

[Debbie and Bentley]

Karen, when switching to 2 meals a day, would I still give the same total amount of food, but in 2 meals instead of 3?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes. And it's a good idea with growing puppies to check the feeding amounts, as they go down with age but up with weight.