eating too fast
11 post(s)
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354 days ago
PookeyDookey
35 post(s)
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I am feeding my Alaskan Malamute puppy about 1 cup of food three times a day. Some times a lil extra. My concern is that he woofs it down in like two bites as if he is not going to eat again for days. Is the typical for the breed? Is there anything I can do to get him to slow down? Could this lead to health problems? I make him sit and wait patiently until I tell him to eat to prevent him from acting crazy at meal time. He also has really bad gas and I don't know if that is from the fast eating.
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354 days ago
TinaValant
845 post(s)
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That seems like a lot. How old is the pup, and what weight? How active? What food are you feeding? Treats? Holistic foods (usually) have no corn, wheat, soy or by products (cheap fillers), so they need less to feel full and get a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.
Jack is 80 lb and gets 3/4 c of lite holistic food, 2x a day. Our dogs also occasionally get apple (no core/seeds), green beans, baby carrots, and holistic treats.
Wolfing down food is not good. Can you give a little bit at a time? Or, put a tennis ball in his food. This will take him longer to eat, shuffling it around. Gas can be caused by indigestion (usually to grains named above), and/or eating from floor level (they suck up a lot of air). We use elevated bowls.
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354 days ago
MonkeyPants
2 post(s)
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you can get these really cool dishes online that have big rubber nubs in it so the dogs have to pick the kibble out with their tongues instead of grabbing mouthfuls at a time.
you could also put the food on a plate or cookie sheet instead of a bowl so it's spread out over a larger surface
my dogs (german shepherd/rhodesian ridgeback crosses ranging from 75-115lbs) get 2cups twice a day and they are all in great shape, however they do get more exercise than the average dogs (I run a dog daycare out of my house so they are out playing all day long)
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354 days ago
PookeyDookey
35 post(s)
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The vet told me to feed him at least 3 cups a day for now, while he is growing. He was 22 lbs. at 9 weeks. He is 10 weeks now. I am feeding him Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy food. As far as activity - moderate, I guess. He goes on walks and plays with Archie all day. He gets some treats when I am training him, not a lot. The bowls are on a stand, but it is still low to the ground. We have given him a little bit at a time and he eats what we give him just as fast. I will try the tennis ball.
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354 days ago
PookeyDookey
35 post(s)
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Those bowls are a good idea MonkeyPants, I will look for them online. Until then spreading the food out is a good idea too...Thanks
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354 days ago
TinaValant
845 post(s)
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As I suspected ~ wheat is the second ingredient (gas).
It is a LOT of food to be feeding 3x a day, especially that young, with only moderate activity. Where did he come from? If a rep breeder, they should give you guidelines.
Can you feel his ribs? Do you see an indentation between ribs and hips? If not, he is gaining too much weight.
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354 days ago
PookeyDookey
35 post(s)
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On the bag it says the second ingredient is brewers rice (that is wheat right?). The first is chicken and the third is corn gluten meal. Could it be the corn too? You can feel his ribs and there is an indentation at the hips. I got him from a breeder and she used Pro Plan which a lot of breeders use in my experience. From what I am told, it makes them poop less. That is not my main concern, however, it is his over all health. I feed my Miniature Schnauzer Nutro Natural Choice. The first three ingredients are chicken meal, rice flour, and ground rice. He has had no problems with it. He gets 1 cup twice a day (sometimes he doesn't finish) and he is 22 lbs. and totally fit - no fat on him. As far as how much to feed Tonka, I will watch his weight, but for now he looks good.
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353 days ago
aussie6pk
147 post(s)
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It's alot harder to find puppy food without corn, wheat, etc. than finding adult foods without them. That being said, Purina is notorious for using lots of grain. There are alot better foods out there in the same price range. I know Tina uses a holistic food, but there is also Canidae, which is a quality food and a great company to work with.
Also, the last I knew the general thinking was not to feed pups puppy food, particularly larger breeds because it makes them grow too fast, which can lead to hip dysplasia. Just a thought.
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353 days ago
TinaValant
845 post(s)
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I looked up PP large breed puppy food & it listed wheat as #2 ingredient. Wheat and corn are KNOWN allergens to many dogs. Brewer's rice is not wheat, it is small fragments of milled rice (bran layers removed).
Chicken contains moisture in the flesh; however, chicken MEAL is a concentrated source of chicken protein. You get a greater protein content in one pound of chicken meal, than a pound of chicken.
Our holistic vet says the only difference in most adult and puppy foods is higher fat content, not good (especially) for larger breeds!
Canidae is a great food. Since your min-sch is not finishing, cut him back to 3/4 cup.
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352 days ago
sanchodixie
141 post(s)
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we use canidae also and i only give Dixie a cup or less and alot of green beans with it and still if she doesnt get exercise she will gain weight. Yesterday I noticed she didn't quiet finish so sancho licked up the rest. That dog is so active I just don't have to worry about him.
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352 days ago
PookeyDookey
35 post(s)
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I agree, I found two brands of puppy food with no corn, wheat or soy and they were Expensive. Canidae looks like a good idea, even for our cat who is on Organix because he is allergic to corn, wheat and soy. I think once they finish most of their food that they have now, I will wean both dogs onto Canidae. It will be nice to have the whole pack on the same food. I did not know that puppy food made them grow too fast, but thankfully I switched Archie to adult food early. Thanks for the info and hopefully the change will stop his gas!
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