How much do you feed a pup?

[rme147]

I have a new Corgi Puppy, and I've had small dogs all my life, but I've always gotten them as adults. I've had my puppy for 5 days now and I feed him a half cup of dry, iams puppy food in the morning, and a half cup in the evening. He seems to be doing fine, and he's not going potty any more than my other dogs, and he has never thrown up... but I am worried about feeding him correctly. I know Corgis are bottomless pits, and will eat as much as you give them, so can anyone tell me if what I'm feeding him now is sufficient? Should it be less? More? I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

~Robin~ and Levi

P.S. I'm new to this forum, and so far, I REALLY enjoy it. Thanks for everyones feedback so far!

[KJohnson]

Westin gets 1/2 cup three times a day (now that he's 7.5 months, we are about to switch it to 3/4 cup twice a day) depending on the brand of food you use they usually print a guideline of how much to feed on the back according to weight. I'm not saying this is absolute (because honestly, why wouldn't they want you to feed more so you have to buy more) but it is generally a good outline as to how much protein and fat your puppy is getting/needs. I know there is a link somewhere around here on the forums that does a formula/guide for how much to feed... probably try to look around the old posts and see if you can find it!
good luck, and remember that no one knows whats better for your puppy than you and your instinct.

[MyPemCharlie]

One cup a day doesn't sound like much for a puppy. Charlie ate 2 cups a day until a couple months ago when I switched him to a higher calorie all-life-stages food, then I only cut him to 1.5 cups and he's looking a little lanky like he could stand to eat more.

Anyway, I would start with what the Iam's food bag says, and weigh him at least once a week. He should grow approximately one pound a week until 20 weeks. If you can see his ribs, he needs more food. If he starts looking like an overfilled water balloon or gaining much more than a pound a week, cut back a little.

[Michael Romanos]

If you are feeding your pup with super premium or premium, AAFCO-approved puppy-specific dry food, the packaging details spell out the guideline for feeding quantities. If you also feed some supplements and treats to your pup, these should be taken into account in regard to total daily quaintity. A pup should have a full meal divided into three-four small meals per day.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Anyway, I would start with what the Iam's food bag says, and weigh him at least once a week. He should grow approximately one pound a week until 20 weeks. If you can see his ribs, he needs more food. If he starts looking like an overfilled water balloon or gaining much more than a pound a week, cut back a little.

Chris has good advice. Use the food bag recommendations as a guideline and adjust what your puppy eats from there.

A good rule of thumb is as much as he wants to eat in 20 min. If he eats all you give him in 20 min. next time give a bit more. If he's leaving food you're giving too much.

How old is your puppy?

Peggy

[rme147]

He is 7 weeks old. This morning I actually gave him 2/3 cup and he walked away from in after about 10 min, then went back and finished a few minutes later. Thank you for the 20 minute tip though. I'll start doing that.

[Michael Romanos]

Don't give your pup a full meal at the one time - divide it into three or four during the day between 8am and 5pm.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by rme147

He is 7 weeks old. This morning I actually gave him 2/3 cup and he walked away from in after about 10 min, then went back and finished a few minutes later. Thank you for the 20 minute tip though. I'll start doing that.

At 7 weeks he should be eating 4 times a day. I'd try a 1/2 cup 4 times a day and see how he does on that. At this age I still soak the food some.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Yes. When Taylor was a puppy, I always put a little warm water with the dry food just before giving it to him and allowed the little water to soak in for 10 minutes.
But I must say that all the premium dry food Taylor has had in his 5 years, none have been too hard for a puppy to successfully consume which would be adverse for the lining in his tummy or in producing too hard stools - that's never been a problem.

[akshay03]

Just kinda want to add on to this question if I may since it's related... is there a set number of times you give your puppy/dog water? I usually give him water with every meal (which is 2 times a day) and then additionally after he's come back from exercising or walking. Is this too often/too less? And then how much should I give him at those times?

[MyPemCharlie]

Puppies and adult dogs should have access to water at all times IMO with one exception. While you're housetraining the puppy, you may want to pick up the water 2-3 hours befor bedtime if the pup is waking you up in the middle of the night to pee (or peeing in his crate overnight).

That's just my opinion. If you are "scheduling" times to provide water, most pups and dogs will adjust to your schedule and learn to drink more at times water is available.

The main thing is you don't want the pup to go thirsty and have no water when he needs it.

[Corgis4me]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Puppies and adult dogs should have access to water at all times IMO with one exception. While you're housetraining the puppy, you may want to pick up the water 2-3 hours befor bedtime if the pup is waking you up in the middle of the night to pee (or peeing in his crate overnight).

That's just my opinion. If you are "scheduling" times to provide water, most pups and dogs will adjust to your schedule and learn to drink more at times water is available.

The main thing is you don't want the pup to go thirsty and have no water when he needs it.

I agree with Chris, My dogs water bowl is out all the time with fresh water daily. He has access to it all the time and did so as a puppy as well; As chris mentioned, about 2 hours before bedtime, I took the water away so he wasn't drinking right before he was about to go to bed which helped with the potty training. Even as an adult I don't let him drink a lot of water a couple of hours before bedtime.

[Michael Romanos]

It has been done so automatically, but I have always had a bowl of fresh water avaioable somewhere inside and outside the house for my Corgis. The only exception is for a young puppy after he/she has been toileted late at night. Then the water bowl is removed.