Feeding puppy after surgery

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone can help with this ...

Chiquito had surgery yesterday and is on a raw meat only diet for the next week or so.

The vet has suggested that I cut up raw meat (with no bones) into cubes that don't need much chewing and feed him only this ... so we have breast chicken and are doing as such.

I am concerned that I am not feeding him enough though as he keeps coming back asking for more all the time. I have given him a half breast for each of his meals 3 meals today and will give him another half at dinner .... does that sound about right?

Prior to now he has been on boiled chicken/rice with biscuits and veg/fruit being introduced slowly (tummy upset). He is about 6.5 kg and 13 weeks old if that makes a difference/helps with an answer ....

Thanks in advance for any help

Hi,

Zeke, my puppy is on a raw food diet and it really looks like he has hardly anything. Its because in that portion it has everything he needs whereas some kibble the dog needs to eat more to get the nutrients that they need. I know it looks like nothing and Zeke always goes looking for more but its just right.

If you think he his losing weight, just add a little more. I do that but it really depends on the exercise they get!

Good luck x

If he is not having so much exercise he will not want to eat as much as usual, if he is hungry then he will eat more obviously. His body is healing now so will need more nutrients and protein to fix him up again.

Hope he is soon feeling better again >< ><

Aww hope he's feeling well again soon.

Raw food gives far more nutrients per ounce than commercial food (or home cooked), so you won't need to feed as much.

Just keep an eye on his weight & if you think it's dropping just up the amount of meat a little.

How long does he have to go on just raw meat?

Thank you to everyone for your replies

I would feed a little more TBH. He is still growing since he is a pup so weight isn't a concern. He also needs more food to help speed the recovery process.

Caryll wrote:Raw food gives far more nutrients per ounce than commercial food (or home cooked), so you won't need to feed as much.

Just keep an eye on his weight & if you think it's dropping just up the amount of meat a little.

How long does he have to go on just raw meat?

We go back to the vet in 7 days and will review diet then ... so the next week at least.

He had to have two teeth removed and apparently anything other than the raw meat can get into the holes and cause infection.

I too would personally feed a bit more because as a pup they can burn off calories very quickly, especially when he's better and able to run about wild again.

As said above though, RAW diet does give a lot more nutrition per amount. So it generally does look like a smaller amount of food, but gives enough of what is needed.

jstaff wrote:I would feed a little more TBH. He is still growing since he is a pup so weight isn't a concern. He also needs more food to help speed the recovery process.

MatLogan wrote:I too would personally feed a bit more because as a pup they can burn off calories very quickly, especially when he's better and able to run about wild again.

As said above though, RAW diet does give a lot more nutrition per amount. So it generally does look like a smaller amount of food, but gives enough of what is needed.

So you think that two chicken breasts a day is not enough?

Sorry for asking so many questions! With the tummy upset we hadn't really managed to settle into a 'feeding routine' (if you know what I mean?) prior to the surgery and this has me feeling a little unsure. He also had not put on any weight to last week (since his check the two weeks prior), I know he was unwell but this has me really anxious ..

Thanks again

I'd definitely up the amount you give him, two chicken breasts isn't an awful lot for a growing pup.

You could also add some stewing beef (you can get the cheaper version from the supermarkets for about £5 a kilo) or a little pork. If you can get hold of green tripe you could try him with that as well.

Yes personally I would increase it, as a up I probably over fed Logan a bit but I knew he would quite easily burn it off.

Since he's gotten a bit older though I've cut his meals away back

Caryll wrote:I'd definitely up the amount you give him, two chicken breasts isn't an awful lot for a growing pup.

You could also add some stewing beef (you can get the cheaper version from the supermarkets for about £5 a kilo) or a little pork. If you can get hold of green tripe you could try him with that as well.

MatLogan wrote:Yes personally I would increase it, as a up I probably over fed Logan a bit but I knew he would quite easily burn it off.

Since he's gotten a bit older though I've cut his meals away back

Thank you .. will buy some more meat for him tomorrow.

If you don't mind, can I ask two more questions though .... (sorry again!)

1. Does the meat he has have to be fat free or does he need a little fat on it (currently he is having skinless breast chicken - the same as I would eat for dinner)?

2. What is green tripe ....

Thank you again for your suggestions.

Googled green tripe (you learn something new everyday), unfortunately we can't seem to get it here.

Did speak with our breeder when they phoned to see how the surgery went though, and went back to see our usual vet at the surgery (who was away when he went in) ... both agreed with more food, however the vet also suggested that as it was his front teeth we could introduce things other than the raw meat after 3 days instead of waiting a week.

Chiquito has soooo much more energy, his coat looks good and he has stopped crying every time I walk into the kitchen.

He also says thank you Caryll for suggesting beef ... it is a new favorite I think

Tell him he's quite welcome! It's Dempsey's favourite as well!!