How much food?

In 6 days I will get my little puppy Saga
But how much food should I give her?
I wanna feed her twice a day.
But I don't know how much to give her each meal. I always had bigger dogs so it's hard for me to know how much this little lady will need

- Maria

(From Denmark)

it will give you a guide on the packaging.... she may not eat it all in one go, but I dont leave any food down for my 5 month old...trying to establish a house training pattern

she's adorable by the way

I give Blue 3 meals a day since 8 weeks old now 4 1/2 months old still on the same, it will tell you the amount on back of packet, Saga will let you know if she in not getting enough, not long to go now

I would give three small meals.a day until shes about three months to 4 months old then cut it down to.2 meals a day

What I don't know is how many grams to give her per day but I guess I'll have to look at the food package :-)

If the packet gives a total daily amount then you can split it into 3 equal meals or a lighter breakfast, dinner and snack for later. Otherwise I would go with what you think is about right by looking at Saga's body I.E. Feel the ribs but not see them and a nice waist.

the important thing you need is your dog has a waist, follow the guidelines on the packet of food and adjust accordingly

Thank you for the answers

How exciting!! Saga is beautiful!

As said above follow the guide on the food packet, from memory at that age i did two meals a day and it was half a cup of kibble - i think!! Check it tho!

AussieStaff wrote:How exciting!! Saga is beautiful!

As said above follow the guide on the food packet, from memory at that age i did two meals a day and it was half a cup of kibble - i think!! Check it tho!

Thanks, I will do that!

OMG you are so lucky, Saga looks absolutely gorgeous. 3 smaller meals are better than two larger ones because as I found out recently with my pup, if I gave him too much food he had a squirty bottom. Soooo excited for you. xx

at 8 weeks old a puppy should have 4 meals a day - two meat based & two oat or egg based. two meals a day at that age can seriously harm a pup's health!

the meals should be evenly spaced out through the day & there should be fresh water available all the time.

as for amounts, go by the manufacturer's recommendations at first, and then see how she looks. if she starts to look a little thin increase her meals a little & if she starts to look a little too podgy, reduce them.

I've not heard of the oat/egg based thing - where's that from? I'm intrigued!

As well as agreeing with the advice on 4 then 3 meals a day, reducing then down to 2 when Saga is older, I'd also advise you to give her the best quality food you can find/afford, and to get specific puppy food to start off with. I don't know what you get in Denmark but this site might help (it is UK based, though), or you might find a similar site for Denmark

http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory

Cheaper brands are packed out with what are known as fillers, so stuff like rice and potato that make up bulk but that don't provide great nutrition.

Great advice Liz, very important to feed puppy food and the best you can! I got my boy at 8 weeks and have always fed just two meals a day, portions changed of course, plus treats which can often be substantial enough to be a meal. I never feed before walking or straight after either.

LizP wrote:I've not heard of the oat/egg based thing - where's that from? I'm intrigued!

I'm afraid it's rather old fashioned! it was handed down to me by my mum many years ago. nowadays, of course, with complete dog food (good ones) you probably don't need to vary it.

Amazing what you learn! I'm not sure I'd go with it, even as a raw feeder, though. It sounds a lot of fibre and bulk but without the nutrient value. I don't have a problem with the eggs, but maybe not twice a day, but although my adult dogs do get oats sometimes not that much.

Maria, I'd stick to a good quality complete puppy food for now and you can explore raw later if you want.

LizP wrote:Amazing what you learn! I'm not sure I'd go with it, even as a raw feeder, though. It sounds a lot of fibre and bulk but without the nutrient value. I don't have a problem with the eggs, but maybe not twice a day, but although my adult dogs do get oats sometimes not that much.

Maria, I'd stick to a good quality complete puppy food for now and you can explore raw later if you want.

I think originally it was to get a pup used to different textures etc. also, four meals of meat only (back when there was only canned dog food, which wasn't best quality) wouldn't have given all the nutrients needed. the only problem with eggs daily is the fat/cholestorol content which, seeing as it would only be for about 3 months, wouldn't be too bad.