when to change from 4 to 3 meals and food quantity

[rubybella]

Bella is 12 weeks today and I am feeding her Skinners field and trial puppy approx 180g over 4 meals a day.

Having had a lab pup before who came to me on a very detailed feeding schedule I feel a bit in the dark with Bella!

She is a lean working cocker, who last week weighed 3.7kg, but I am not sure whether I am under-feeding her.

I am interested to see what quantities others are feeding.

Also I can't remember when to change from 4 to 3 meals ?

Thanks

Chloe

[LynneB]

It's difficult to say what a puppy should be eating at each meal. I tend to let them eat as much as they want initially as they need all the nutrients they can get. If your puppy is not over/under weight (the ribs should still be felt with a good covering of flesh) then carry on with the same amount. I usually go to 3 feeds at approx 4 months, but found they the puppies tell me when they are ready to change (they can't be bothered with a meal)
All puppies are different, the cockers are food machines and the bichons are "pickers". Hope this helps.

[Jan D]

Bobby was 12 weeks yesterday and on Tuesday last week he weighed 4.1kg.

I give him about 180g of CSJ puppy over a day and usually he has a biggish breakfast, small lunch and biggish tea although today he hasn't bothered with his lunch yet at it's 3.45pm already. I stopped the supper meal about a week ago to try to stop him having to get rid of it.... if you know what I mean... overnight. Hasn't worked yet. He is an eating machine though and like a heat seeking missile if food's around

[HelenS]

Did you not get guidelines on feeding from your breeder ?

Guidelines from our breeder were : 7weeks to 4 months... 4 meals per day (50g)
                                               4 to 8 months...3 meals per day(discontinue supper and increase quantity of remaining meals)
                                               After 9 months... 2 meals per day
                                               12-14 months ..the puppy will probably adapt to 1 meal when ready but if it suits to feed 2 smaller meals then
                                                ok.
Hope this helps but Remember these are only Guidelines.

[rubybella]

Our breeder said to leave food down all the time but I can't do that with a labrador in the house !!!

She currently empties her bowl for every meal

Thanks for your replies

Chloe

[tenaille]

Beau is a show type cocker, the breeder asked us to continue him (from 9 weeks) on Royal Canin Puppy, 4 meals (55g).
We have just progressed to the Royal Canin Junior, still 4 meals (55g).  He eats it all up in 1 'sitting' and we remove the dish.
At 10 weeks he weighed 5 Kgs,  at almost 12 weeks he weighs 6.2 Kgs (definitely not lean !)
We will reduce to 3 meals in the next month.

[Patp]

Jinley is 15 weeks and I found it difficult to divide the meals up equally as she would pick at her breakfast - clean up her lunch then show no interest at tea time, but picked at it until about 8pm.

(She still has a couple of tablespoons of rice pudding at night - I know she probably shouldnt but it is part of her bed time routine (and mine!))

She is on Arden Grange Puppy and is weighed monthly at the vets to make sure she is getting enough food as recommended.  I have now found that it is easier if she has her daily amount of food put down in one or two meals sometimes with some cooked chicken or sardines added late afternoon and she can eat the amount she needs when she wants it.

If is very rare that she finishes her whole day off before she goes to bed.  I also use the kibble with some extra treats for training.

This works for me, others will have their own ways.  Much depends I suppose on whether someone is at home all day.

Pat