Weight question for 9 - month old puppy

[bjm1215]

I have a soon to be 9-month old Sheltie puppy. He definitely has gone through a growth spurt in the last month! It's so funny, because for the longest time it didn't seem like he was getting much taller or gaining any weight. But I think he has finally arrived at his mature height, and I'm hoping his weight as well.

Quick question. Charlie is 15 inches tall, and weighs 21.5 pounds. Is this too heavy for him? He still looks fairly slim to me. My 16 year old Sheltie, Mickey (still living!) is the same height, but has been on the heavier side for a lot of his life (25-26 pounds). So I know what a heavier Sheltie looks like.

Charlie is due for a vet appointment in a couple weeks but I was just wanting to do some research on this since Charlie seems to have grown I haven't changed anything much... still feeding him the same... 1/2 cup, twice a day, and exercising the same. He is still on puppy food. Should I switch him to adult food or switch the amount I am giving him? He eats Pro Plan chicken & rice puppy food.

Thanks!

 

[Ann]

This may help you see if your puppy's weight is on track:
http://www.ehow.com/info_12310926_can-tell-much-dog-supposed-weigh.html

My adult dogs are all around 20 pounds. Depending on his bone structure, he may be at his idea weight. Shelties are prone to weight gain though, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on it. I switch puppies to adult food at 6 months, so I would go ahead and transition him gradually.

I'd prefer to see him eating a better food than Purina though...you have to feed more to give him the nutrition he needs than you would of a better brand, and it's full of fillers and byproducts. The first five ingredients on the list are what counts and they're terrible. You can learn more about your dog's food at www.dogfoodadvisor.com. ProPlan gets their lowest rating.

 

[melbell]

Sadly it's hard for us to answer this question. Dogs all weigh different based on their body. My Honey at her ideal weight should weigh about 23 pounds at 15 1/2 inches. She's currently at 25, but we're working on it. We feed her a 1/2 cup and a 1/3rd cup daily. We feed Blue Buffalo though.

My Ruutu is over 18" (I think 18 1/4th right now??) and weighs 28-29 pounds but needs to gain weight. He has very dense bones. It almost seems like no matter what we feed him isn't enough. We feed him 2 cups daily. He should be at probably 31-33 pounds. His ribs aren't extremely exposed, but he's very boney including his spine. It's how he's built as well as his mother.

Your best bet is doing the rib test and then asking your vet their opinion.