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View Full Version : When is a puppy not a puppy anymore?


mgs4real
Sep 27, 2005, 11:23 AM
Our Lhasa is now 10 months old. As a puppy we have had food available pretty much at all times, but maybe he's getting past that now, and for his weight should maybe only be fed about a cup to a cup and a half of his dog meal a day. We have been using Wysong, by the way, and it seems to have a lot of really good things in it and not real expensive.

labman
Sep 27, 2005, 01:01 PM
That is hard to say. Most dogs will do OK on one meal a day after 6 months. Likely it is OK for the little ones too, but the larger breeds are better off to be on adult chow before that. Much of the puppy behavior continues until the personality matures at 3 years. My daughter's Lhasa/Min Pin mix is just 3 now, and still seems about the same. He has learned to live in a house and extended family with Labs and Shepherds. He does his best to keep them straight.

Free feeding works for some dogs, but leads many to life shortening over weight. Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog
Must have its food adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a good illustrated guide, http://www.photolocker.net/images/Labman/proplanc.jpg

mgs4real
Sep 27, 2005, 01:14 PM
Well, that helps. He's a real go-getter so he's definitely in the "ideal" category. Nice to know. I guess it is time to start trying to plan how much he is eating.

Chery
Sep 27, 2005, 02:28 PM
http://www.sniksnak.com

This is a neat site to look at and find out lots about your puppy, try it. Pet lovers are the Greatest!:)