How much to feed

[aweitzm1]

How much should I be feeding my adult yorkies each day. One weighs 12 pounds the other weighs 10 pounds.


The Foster mom said she was feeding them twice a day about 1/4 cup each. However, the food package I bought says for their size to feed them 1 - 1 1/2 cups a day to maintain the weight and 3/4 - 1 cup a day for them to lose weight.


I don't want to be under or over feeding them

[Maximo]

The amount depends on the food brand because some are denser, have more calories and nutrients per cup.

1/4 cup twice a day does sound like too little for any food for 10 - 12 pound dogs unless it was a really high protein food. Maybe they had snacks too?

Follow guidelines on the food bag that you purchased and feed just a little less. I believe most food brands tend to recommend amounts that are a little high except for really active working dogs.

[buddybear]

Originally Posted by Maximo

The amount depends on the food brand because some are denser, have more calories and nutrients per cup.

1/4 cup twice a day does sound like too little for any food for 10 - 12 pound dogs unless it was a really high protein food. Maybe they had snacks too?

Follow guidelines on the food bag that you purchased and feed just a little less. I believe most food brands tend to recommend amounts that are a little high except for really active working dogs.

Totally agree. I think some brands also list a higher quantity to boost their sales.

[aweitzm1]

Thanks, for the advice I am gonna go with 1/2 a cup twice a day and see how it goes. I can always adjust if needed.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Maximo

The amount depends on the food brand because some are denser, have more calories and nutrients per cup.

1/4 cup twice a day does sound like too little for any food for 10 - 12 pound dogs unless it was a really high protein food. Maybe they had snacks too?

Follow guidelines on the food bag that you purchased and feed just a little less. I believe most food brands tend to recommend amounts that are a little high except for really active working dogs.

Jax is 18lbs and eats 1/2 cup per day (1/4 cup twice a day)... he fattens up quick if he eats more than that. He does get treats and snacks every day too that I try to compensate for. But even if I gave him more than 1/2 cup in his bowl, he likely wouldn't eat it. He self regulates pretty well. Oh he does get a scoop of wet food in each meal usually as well.

[AngelFae]

Sorry, double post...

[AngelFae]

Blazer gets about 3/4 cup of food a day. Some days he eats it all over the course of the day and sometimes he doesn't. He's just under 8 lbs, I think. It really depends on the food, make sure you read the package fully! I know a couple who were accidentally feeding their dog WAY less than the recommend amount because they didn't read the package properly. It's just one of those things that is absolutely with double checking. It sounds as though about 1 cup a day may be the average.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by AngelFae

Blazer gets about 3/4 cup of food a day. Some days he eats it all over the course of the day and sometimes he doesn't. He's just under 8 lbs, I think. It really depends on the food, make sure you read the package fully! I know a couple who were accidentally feeding their dog WAY less than the recommend amount because they didn't read the package properly. It's just one of those things that is absolutely with double checking. It sounds as though about 1 cup a day may be the average.

the packages are WAY over-estimates. Most of the time they are advised for un-spayed/neutered dogs with higher metabolisms.

IMO no dog under 16lbs or so needs more than 1 cup of food per day unless they have a super high metabolism or exercise a TON....

I can't even imagine Jax eating 1 cup of food per day and he's 18lbs and pretty active!

[aweitzm1]

Originally Posted by Britster

the packages are WAY over-estimates. Most of the time they are advised for un-spayed/neutered dogs with higher metabolisms.

IMO no dog under 16lbs or so needs more than 1 cup of food per day unless they have a super high metabolism or exercise a TON....

I can't even imagine Jax eating 1 cup of food per day and he's 18lbs and pretty active!

Thanks I am counting down the hours as I get them tomorrow. 1/4 cup looked too small so I am going to start with 1/2 cup twice a day and see how it goes. I will adjust it accordingly. I can't imagine them eating more than 1 cup a day that seems like a lot.

[Mayzoo]

Boo....Hiss----I know: I free feed (just leave food down all the time) Mario and he is also in pretty intensive training, so he gets a decent amount of treats through the day.

He does not overeat. None of my dogs have ever over eaten with free feeding, and none of them have ever been over weight. I do live on 3/4 of an acre fenced for them to run together, so they get a lot of exercise. Plus, Mario goes with us everywhere and walks all over every store/place we go.

With free feeding, I would say my almost 9 lb guy eats about 1/4-1/2 total a cup a day plus treats throughout the day.

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by Mayzoo

Boo....Hiss----I know: I free feed (just leave food down all the time) Mario and he is also in pretty intensive training, so he gets a decent amount of treats through the day.

He does not overeat. None of my dogs have ever over eaten with free feeding, and none of them have ever been over weight. I do live on 3/4 of an acre fenced for them to run together, so they get a lot of exercise. Plus, Mario goes with us everywhere and walks all over every store/place we go.

With free feeding, I would say my almost 9 lb guy eats about 1/4-1/2 total a cup a day plus treats throughout the day.

Not all dogs can free feed Winnie and all my dogs will eat the whole bag. Winnie gets 1/4 -1/3 c a day kibble.. depends. Losts of exercise/play. I weigh my dogs a few times a week. Feel the body to make sure they are getting enough. They get homemade also. Shes 3lbs 14oz. I measure everything they eat

[SirTeddykins]

Originally Posted by ironmike86

Not all dogs can free feed Winnie and all my dogs will eat the whole bag. Winnie gets 1/4 -1/3 c a day kibble.. depends. Losts of exercise/play. I weigh my dogs a few times a week. Feel the body to make sure they are getting enough. They get homemade also. Shes 3lbs 14oz. I measure everything they eat

This is exactly what I do cuz Teddy is greedy!! He hovers between 3 lbs 13oz and 4 lbs 2 oz. The vet told me at 4 lbs 2 oz. he was good but to not let him get bigger so I keep him around 4 lbs 2 oz as much as possible. I weigh his food twice a day and his little self once a week using a kitchen scale for both.

[Mayzoo]

Originally Posted by ironmike86

Not all dogs can free feed Winnie and all my dogs will eat the whole bag. Winnie gets 1/4 -1/3 c a day kibble.. depends. Losts of exercise/play. I weigh my dogs a few times a week. Feel the body to make sure they are getting enough. They get homemade also. Shes 3lbs 14oz. I measure everything they eat

Yeah, not all dogs can be free feed. My in-laws dog will eat everything you put in front of her and still look for more. We have always been fortunate in that all of our dogs have been able to be free feed and all have maintained a healthy weight and a healthy, active lifestyle.

[aweitzm1]

I definitely can't free feed because Boomer will eat all the food. Though Thumper is the one that is overweight according to the Vet Records. He isn't eating as much so I hope he will lose a few pounds once we get into a routine.

[ironmike86]

I find if youo have one dog free feeding maybe easier if they know their limits but with 3 dogs. Moki would eat all the food. With Whimsy a close second. And Winnie would get none. I measure all their food and feed in separate bowls. Winnie gets hers baby gated into the kitchen. The two finish almost the same time but Winnie takes longer. For me it works best because I know who eats what and how much. Yorkies and other small dogs you really dont want over weight for their health. Most all dogs but seems Porkies get knee aches