Manufacturers Recommended Feeding a bit much?

[HopeShelties]

Those manufacturerers labels sure are tricky. I like to base mine off of the rib test... feel for their ribs. They should be easily felt under a thin layer of fat. If they seem too ribby, I up their food, if they seem too heavy, I lower it.
The scale's only a number, so there's no right weight for any one dog It's kind of like some people are at their ideal at say 160, and look great, while on some, this would be way too heavy. Same goes for the amount of the food... some can eat a lot of food, and not put on anything, others can meerly look at food and seem to gain weight.
It's funny... within my house, the dogs are equally split... I have some that are the types to just look at food and gain, some that stay right where they need to be, and others who are a bit harder keepers (super hyper active puppies who're growing at a rapid rate)

 

[Woodbender]

No - actually out of embarrassment I did not post her actual weight. The vet's scale said she was 49 pounds but I think it's quite a bit off given our son's reported weight on the same scale.

However she is a very barrel chested girl and quite tall at the shoulder, I would guess very close to 19". Even so the extra weight is not good for her back knees and she (and I ) will both be going on a diet. (right after Christmas)

 

[HopeShelties]

That reminds me... how are you liking Now! Barb?

 

[HopeShelties]

Maybe we need a sheltie fit club here after christmas? :x For humans and shelties?
I've been working on my diet the last couple months... down 62lbs

 

[BarbV]

That reminds me... how are you liking Now! Barb?

Pups seem to be settling into it fine, but they seem to be hunger machines all of a sudden. I can hear Bacca squealing for food even before I open the garage door when I come home. But at least he's crazy for food again!

So I guess the lower calorie content is kicking in.

When I compare the Now! kibble to the Horzon Legacy, they look identical, just smaller kibbles. Makes me wonder if its the same company.

 

[Chris]

Yes, you're senile and blind.

Pfffftttt! I had to really hunt to find that in the thread, so give me a break![/QUOTE]

Just couldn't resist. You know I love you!

 

[Chris]

Maybe we need a sheltie fit club here after christmas? :x For humans and shelties?
I've been working on my diet the last couple months... down 62lbs

Holy Moley. That's, like what? 3.5 Shelties' worth? Congratulations!!!!

 

[Justicemom]

Pups seem to be settling into it fine, but they seem to be hunger machines all of a sudden. I can hear Bacca squealing for food even before I open the garage door when I come home. But at least he's crazy for food again!

So I guess the lower calorie content is kicking in.

When I compare the Now! kibble to the Horzon Legacy, they look identical, just smaller kibbles. Makes me wonder if its the same company.

Now! has 400cal/8 oz cup and Horizon 420cal/cup not a huge difference so possible it could be the bioavalibilty or they really like the taste.
The companies could have the same type of extruder. It is what makes the shape.

Most avg energy dogs need about 400 calories per 20 lbs, differences are seen for energy level, activites ie dog sports, and metabolism of individual.

Most adult maintance dog foods have about 375- 400 cals/ 8oz cup and performance 450-475 cals/cup with a higher fat content. A dog biscuit like a 1 regular size milk bone have 85cal per bone or equal to almost 1/4 cup of food. So think about your treats when you are trying to get your dog to lose weight and minus that amount for the total fed.

My parents Lab was really heavy, 120lbs. They had no idea why. I observed them feeding her large dog bisiuts when she came inside sometimes 3-4 a day. Those treats were around 210 calories a piece. So times that by 4 and that's 840 calories over 2 extra cups of food a day. Doing nothing else but stopping treats their dog lost 40lbs in a year.

 

[Caro]

Both my 12.6kg and 6.4kg shelties get fed the amount for a 10kg dog. Both are very active. If my small girl gets too much she just poos it out, whereas my bigger boy seems to convert all his intake to fat. On more active days they get a little more in the morning. And they get a rawhide chew as an after dinner low cal snack. But basically I dont think any sheltie really needs the manufacturers recommended amount (esp when middle age spread hits).

If she is looking at you pleadingly for more food give her some vegies. You can mix in a little yoghurt to make them tastier. In winter when she is getting much less exercise I would be swapping some vegies in place of her regular food anyway.

 

[Megansmom]

Kefir!?!

Have you all ever heard of a non-fat, plain probiotic yogurt called Kefir? Megan's breeder fed the puppies Kefir with there food and I give it to her about 2x a day!