How Much Food is Enough?

[RockysMom]

I need some advice.
As mentioned in an earlier thread I've switched Rocky to Wellness Core as I believe that he is allergic to grains.  He is doing very well on the new food!
My problem is that I dont know how much to feed him.  He never really liked any other food I've fed him (none of it was grain free) but he LOVES this new food.

He weighs 17lbs (solid muscle...no fat).  The bag indicates that for dogs up to 20lbs feed up t 1 1/2 cups of food.  I've been giving him 1 cup per day total, but he sits at his empty bowl licking it and looking at me pitifully.  I'm not used to this type of reaction from him and dont want to cave if it is pure manipulation......but dont want to deprive the little monkey if he actually needs more food.  I've been very careful not to overfeed Rocky and ensure that he gets lots of exercise. He is a healthy weight and I really want to keep him that way without starving the little guy!

Any advice regarding feeding would be greatly appreciated.  
FYI - we generally go for a 5km walk a day.

[lmcpug]

Hi Angela;

I know that the boys do not get the same food but maybe this will help out

[clummy]

Maude is on the Wellness Core and weighs about 15.5 lbs. She gets 3/4 cup twice a day (she wants and would eat more) and this maintains her weight. She generally gets a couple of treats (biscuits) per day also. If she gets extra treats, she gets less of the Core at meal time. She is quite active and burns it off well.

I had her on less (1/2 cup per day) when I first started feeding her this but she started to lose weight, so I increased it a bit.

If the amount you are feeding him keeps his weight steady, that would seem to be the amount you should probably stick with

[Candace]

My guys get 1/3 cup, twice a day, when they get kibble. That should be enough, unless your dog is really high energy.
Just watch his weight. If he gains, cut back and if he loses, add a bit. The bags always say the highest amount, most likely because they want you to buy more food!
The 1/3 a cup is helping Gypsy whittle away at her being over-weight, but it is happeneding at a slow rate and she is losing less, which tells me it is the right amount for her.
All the fosters I have had get that amount and none of them have ever needed more to maintain a good weight. That includes busy boys, like Vincent.

[RockysMom]

Thanks everyone!
I will watch his weight very carefully and adjust as needed.  It sounds like 1 cup a day might turn out to be too much.  He is high energy, but not nearly as high as when he was a puppy....thank goodness!  

[Pam]

Sully is also on Wellness Core  :oops: He gets 1/3 Cup twice a day also.  He licks his bowl when he has his supper with the AllerG3.  He loves that stuff! Our vet recommended it because Sully was itching his face like a little mad man.  I have noticed he is scratching his face less since we started him on it. He only seems to rub it first thing in the morning now, I think it's  to get the morning eye gunk out before we do  We got the liquid and just one pump on his food at supper and stir it up.  It doesn't get soggy or anything and then he licks his bowl clean after.