Feeding according to size/weight, some random questions....

[FestiveSpirit]

Now I have the three dogs they pretty much come in small, medium and large sizes - Flick is 24" and approx 22.5kg, Many is 25" and approx 23.5kg and Islay is 26" and approx 24.5kg

Would you feed them roughly the same, or do you always feed by eye according to condition? I have been feeding them the same (Islay was on more than Flick until I noticed she was getting quite stodgy by greyhound standards

) and when Many joined us I thought she could have the same as she was middle sized

But when I was grooming Many today I noticed she was quite skinny, so I have upped her food - might be the stress of the move etc I suppose but I was quite surprised. Being the same type of dog I thought they would all be quite consistent in being good doers/poor doers etc

 

[soloabe]

I take it dog by dog. Abe can eat all day and he is still skinny.

I have had dogs that just look at food and pack on the pounds and others like abe who it is a constant struggle to keep weight on.

I would feed them a little more or a little less as you see fit.

 

[hannah87]

I guess they are just like us and have different metabolisms? and horses for that matter - two 15.2 tbs could be VERY different in their needs for food.
I tend to feed according to eye and exercise - if theyv been on a particulary long few walks then they get abit more, less if theyv not done so much!

 

[FestiveSpirit]

I see your point Bramble, I cannot believe the amount of hay and feed my little TB gets through whilst still being on the slender side - why cant I be like that

I just thought they might be roughly the same metabolism as they are the same breed - mind you Many does run around twice as fast as the other two, I cannot believe her speed, so she must burn more energy

Dont worry Cayla, I have upped her food from tonight

 

[mattilda]

Dex gets half as much again as the girls and he looks good (well I think so anyway). Matty is maintaining her slimline figure nicely and Sage has just started a diet as she is getting a bit porky. She gets the same amount but it's the low cal stuff.
I think age plays a big part in weight management (hell ain't that the truth)!! I pretty much play it by eye and if they start to look too fat or skinny adjust as I see fit. None of my dogs are hugely fat although for big dogs they are quite small if you know what I mean. If your dogs are active and look healthy you probably aren't going too far wrong.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

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I think age plays a big part in weight management (hell ain't that the truth)!! .

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Never a truer word was spoken mattilda

I am so pleased with regards to activity levels, both Islay and Flick have really perked up now they have Many to chase around, and even miserable old boot Islay is playing chasing games

I shall just keep an eye on them and adjust accordingly then, thanks for the comments everyone

 

[MurphysMinder]

I feed totally by eye. My 3 are all roughly the same weight (around 30 kg), Evie at 21 months has 2 scoops of Skinners Duck & Rice a day, plus equivalent to another scoop of raw pet mince (ground to includebone). Buffy is 9 and has just over a scoop a day, plus half a scoop of mince, Saffy at 12 has 2 scoops a day and half a scoop of mince.
I have noticed this week that Evie is finally being to fill out and mature so will be watching her weight carefully, if she seems to be getting fatter then the rations will be reduced.

 

[CAYLA]

Many is a boney chicken leg now.....what have u done to the poor beast

I feed by eye, if they loose I add if they gain I reduce, all my dogs are lean machines, I dont own an over weight animal (unless im including me)

supppose I could be classed as an animal and I have a fair bit of junk in me trunk

I would be feeding those roughly the same, unless the younger 2 run more then they would obs need more.

*Coughs* greys are meant to show a little rib and pin

 

[Three]

We vary depending on how they look BUT Woody is a 'good doer' - two mouthfuls and he puts on weight; Starsky walks it off, he's never still and never walks if he can run.

Woods is on a permanent diet much to his disgust! But we try to keep his weight down because of his joint problems. He says he's just naturally big boned and is therefore abused and neglected.

The challenge is stopping Woody polishing off both dinners!

 

[FestiveSpirit]

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*Coughs* greys are meant to show a little rib and pin

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LMAO - no, really, I am glad you told me cos I hadnt realised