How much shold I feed my 12 week Golden Retriever Puppy? Seems like she is a little thin or is that normal?

Answer 1

I have raised Goldens my whole life...mostly they have this little development thing as pups where they are thin.

My current Goldens are 1 and 14...the old man is VERY thin. The pup is slim and fit.

If your vet has no answer - I fed my pups a cup in the morning and a cup at night - or 1/2 cup of soft with 1/2 cup kibble - morning and night.

Answer 2

Listen to your vet first of all. In general, any puppy food which bears the label AAFCO will meet the nutritional needs of your puppy. Although even supermarket foods display this label most vets will recommend a 'premium' food. Brands such as Science Diet, Iams, Nutro & Flint River are good ones. Don't free-feed your puppy. Put the recommended amount in a bowl, let your puppy eat for five minutes or til finished then put the bowl up. Do not put down again til the next feeding time. This controls weight as well as establishes you as pack-leader (control of food). Don't give him table scraps and LIMIT treats. Introduce fresh vegetables - carrots, green beans, canned pumpkin, etc. Don't feed your puppy grapes or chocolate. Most foods have a grain component. Check the label. Stick to one food - don't switch around as it can cause digestive problems and also may be problematic if your little guy develops allergies (you won't know what he's allergic to if you switch around all the time). If you need to switch foods do so gradually - mix a small amount with the 'old' food increasing the amount of new, reducing the amount of 'old' over several days. Dry food is recommended but be sure to keep fresh water out at all times. Don't exercise puppies on full tummies. Let it settle a bit before running, jumping or riding in cars. Enjoy that puppie!

Answer 3

Dogs should be lean...you should be able to see a visible waist line and be able to feel but not easily see their ribs. Has she had a checkup? At her age, she should have been to the vet twice for shots, fecal check, and deworming. You should be meal feeding her twice a day. That means you look at the bag/can for feeding recommendations based on her age and weight. Take the total amount and split in two...feed her one meal in the a.m. and one in the p.m. Also, what are you feeding her? She should be getting a good-quality puppy food for large breed puppies. If you're not sure of the quality, ask your vet. Avoid food with colored pieces (kibbles n bits, etc). Some examples of good quality foods are: Iams, Science Diet, Eukaneuba, Nutro Natural Choice, Purina One, Purina Pro Plan. The better the food, the less she will need to get all her nutrients.

Answer 4

Check for worms first. Skinniness in this age can be the cause.

Feed a good quality puppy feed formula, follow the guidelines on the packet.

Puppies can look overweight, that is ribs are not seen, this is ok as they have a lot of growing to do. I prefer my pups (labs, close to goldens) to look overweight than underweight.

Worms can cause bloating, so even if puppy looks full it may not be getting all the nutrients it needs.

If your pup is current on worming medication and receiving the proper puppy dietary requirements then seek a vet, it may be an undermining problem.

Answer 5

this should be normal, you are soposed to be able to see a liyttle bit of the ribs, but not alot, and you are soposed to be able to feel the ribs slightly. but not to any extreme. how often do you feed her? what sort of dog food do you feed her. some bags will have a chart that, depending on the age, and weight of the dog, it will tell you how much to feed her. feeding your dog twice a day with smaller protions, is better than one really big meal per day. i think purina has a chart on the puppy food, don't go and buy the bag if its not what you are feeding her, just look at the bag and read a bit. if any one says anything, your just shopping for dog food and thinking of switching brands.

Answer 6

My dog was a bit thin too..
She had been wormed and had her shots, so I thought it was ok.. come to find out she had a tape worm. The other wormers do not kill tapeworms you have to get a specific pill for that, which I got from the feed store.. I think it was called HappyJack.
Your dog may not have this, but its just something to look out for.
http://www.dr-dan.com/tapeworm.htm
~ My dog was about 5 mos old at the time..

Answer 7

A pound of hamburger in the morning and in the evening either a ribeye or a porterhouse steak would be good

Answer 8

golden retriever should have quite a slender shape to them as to much weight is unhealthy. on the other hand you should not be able to see there ribs or spine

Answer 9

one big bowl in the morning, if you give her food all day long than she will just eat all her food at once and then eat again and agin if shes that skinnie try putting eggs in her food or talking to a vet about higher protien foods maby shes just a smaller dog... or waiting for a growth spurt

Answer 10

Twice a day...1 1/2 cups. No milk...lots of water.