How long on 4 meals?

[mitches]

Hi we got our new puppy on Fri, she is 8wks old and a golden coloured show cocker, called Bailey. She is adorable.
We haven't had a puppy before so will have lots of questions!
First one, how long should I keep her on 4 meals a day?

[7733lily]

Congratulations on your new addition 
Most breeders should give you a fact sheet to take home and one of the things in there will be a diet sheet of how much food to feed and when (it is only a guide, but good to start off with), but I think the general rule is 4 meals until they are 4 months then down to 3 meals until they are 6 months then onto 2 meals
This is how I have fed all three of mine and it worked for them
Hope that helps

[Murphys Law]

We got Murphy at 12 weeks and he went straight onto three meals and it seemed to suit him fine.

Post some pics, I would love to see them.

[mitches]

Many thanks for the replies, will post some pics soon 

[lettie10]

I think the general rule is 4 meals until they are 4 months then down to 3 meals until they are 6 months then onto 2 meals

This is exactly what I did but I found my Golden Show Girl also called Bailey just stopped eating her lunchtime meal at 6 months so kind of switched herself

[Patp]

I found also that Jinley dropped the feeds herself when she was ready.  I did find it useful though not to have rigid meal times by the clock.  You could set your watch by my in laws dog and they find it very restrictive if they are away from the home with or without the dog.

[BobnDot]

Chaz was on four meals when we got him at 10 weeks old but, within a week, was leaving most of his second meal so we went down to three meals at about 12 weeks.

Bob.

[HBP]

Our breeder stated 4 meals until 12 weeks, then 3 until 6 months, then 2. I'm surprised your breeder didn't advise you.

Rachael x

[JamiesGirl]

I found also that Jinley dropped the feeds herself when she was ready.  I did find it useful though not to have rigid meal times by the clock.  You could set your watch by my in laws dog and they find it very restrictive if they are away from the home with or without the dog.

i second this!!! if Jamie isn't fed his tea and 6pm i get one very grumpy naughty cocker. We were up at the stables last week until late and we didn't get back until 8pm and i forgot to take his tea with us so he was grumbling and mouthing me for the 20 minute drive home and then poo'd over night because of his late tea. its little things like this that you forget to take into consideration before they happen to you!

Jamie is 8 years old and is still on three meals a day so its worth while remembering that not all dogs tummies suit two large meals but some like jamie prefer three smaller ones

[butterflywings21]

I found also that Jinley dropped the feeds herself when she was ready.  I did find it useful though not to have rigid meal times by the clock.  You could set your watch by my in laws dog and they find it very restrictive if they are away from the home with or without the dog.

i second this!!! if Jamie isn't fed his tea and 6pm i get one very grumpy naughty cocker. We were up at the stables last week until late and we didn't get back until 8pm and i forgot to take his tea with us so he was grumbling and mouthing me for the 20 minute drive home and then poo'd over night because of his late tea. its little things like this that you forget to take into consideration before they happen to you!

Jamie is 8 years old and is still on three meals a day so its worth while remembering that not all dogs tummies suit two large meals but some like jamie prefer three smaller ones

TILLY had had bad tummies for a few weeks and she having tests done but my vet recommended that maybe three meals a day would be better for her. At the moment I'm having to feed small meals every two hours.

[Geordietyke]

I can't imagine Archie (nearly 18 weeks) wanting to drop his 3rd meal any time soon!  He wolfs all his meals down in double quick time and wouldn't take too kindly to me only feeding him breakfast and dinner    My previous cocker, Odie was always a 'grazer'.  He rarely finished a meal so even though I fed him morning and evening, he could still be having a snack just before bedtime.

[mitches]

My breeder didn't seem to have much of a clue, it was the first time she had done breeding. I didn't get a diet sheet.
Have just been reading puppy books and posting questions on here.
We haven't had a dog before, so pretty clueless.
Thanks for all the advise so far.
She was up 4 times last night, its pretty tiring! But she's adorable

[HBP]

I can't imagine Archie (nearly 18 weeks) wanting to drop his 3rd meal any time soon!  He wolfs all his meals down in double quick time and wouldn't take too kindly to me only feeding him breakfast and dinner    My previous cocker, Odie was always a 'grazer'.  He rarely finished a meal so even though I fed him morning and evening, he could still be having a snack just before bedtime.

Haha, glad I'm not the only one!!! Can see Hudson requesting to skip meals anything soon (or ever!)

[Silver]

Hi Mitches and congratulations on your new puppy! I think it is great that you're finding out more about how to look after her and COL (this website) has lots of info

I have just looked at the diet sheet my breeder gave me and it says this:

At 8 weeks feed at 8am, 12pm, 4pm and 8pm. Feed 50gm of Royal Canin Medium Junior.

Gradually increase the amount of food to keep pace with the puppy's appetite.

Reduce meals to 3 at about 12-14 weeks and 2 between 5-6 months.

If you wish to change food, do this slowly over 7 days to avoid tummy upset.

Do not feed cow's milk as this may cause an upset tummy, your puppy is used to drinking water.

Chocolate can cause fits in dogs. Dog chocolate is available for treats.

Like you I wondered about how I'd be able to drop a meal without stressing the dog, but as others have found the dog just no longer wanted them. As far as I can remember, when he no longer wanted the 4pm feed I moved the 8pm meal to 7pm when I normally eat.

What food is your puppy currently eating, Mitches?

Also my breeder wrote that a puppy should be wormed monthly until 6 months old (24 weeks), and every three months after that.

[mitches]

Thanks Silver for all the info
We are feeding her just under 50g Burns dried food 3 times a day and a wee snack around 6.45-7pm.

I will change her to 3 meals and increase the amount to just over 50g. Will also try to give her last meal a bit later, its usually 4-4.30pm. Hopefully with a wee bit more food during the day she wont look for her snack in the evening.

And it will stop her needing a poo during the night!!

Cheers
Elaine