I feed my dogs Iams Large Breed Dog Food. I have a 80 pound German Shepherd (male) and a 50 pound Yellow Lab (female) is 2 cups one time a day for each dog really enough food for them? That's the "recommended" amount on the back of the bag, but it just seems that my dogs are so hungry next time they get to eat that the just inhale it.
They are inside dogs but spend part of the day running and playing in the backyard. When in the house they are pretty calm most of the time so I would say their activity level is moderate.
They do not look skinny or anything, they actully look healthy, but I'm just concerned it's not enough food.
2007-02-10 19:14:00 · 6 answers · asked by kerri_lynn01 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Pet food companies tend to over exagerate the amount of food needed so if you are feeding the amount they say then you are doing the right thing.
Some dogs will always seem hungry - it is natural for them to want to eat as much as possible when its available incase they have a long period without food (inherited behaviour - though they should learn we always feed them).
You can add things such as boiled rice/pasta, cooked pumpkin or grated apple/carrot to there food so that they feel they are getting more, but these things are not absorbed by them so will not put fat onto them. Add extra no calorie foods and feed twice a day instead of once (which you should do for large breed dogs to aviod gastric volvous dilation - bloated and twisted stomach)
2007-02-10 19:28:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If their body condition is good then I wouldn't worry about the amount. You might want to feed them twice a day, though.
Also, you can soak their dry dog food. It gets kind of nasty looking, but it makes it seem like more for them. It also can prevent the food from swelling in their stomach and causing problems.
2007-02-10 19:34:20 · answer #2 · answered by lickitysplit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you should keep a snack bowl out just in case they get hungry. That's what I do for my dog. But other than that, the amount of food is fine.
2007-02-10 19:44:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are looking at your dog from the side and you cannot see their ribs - they are getting enough to eat. It would obviously be easier to see on the lab rather than the Shepherd on him you could just feel his side. If the ribs to not seem to be protruding but you can feel them then they are perfect weight.
If you increase the food by another cup each and after a month or two they have not gotton any heavier than what they are - than go with it. The German Shep, might be good with 3 cups where as the lab with only 2.
2007-02-10 19:20:18 · answer #4 · answered by Carina M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, based on the needed amount of calories for the average dog. If they seem to be losing weight you could increase it slightly. You might also want to try splitting it between two meals a day instead of just one.
2007-02-10 19:16:59 · answer #5 · answered by cs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you think your dogs are hungry, add 1/2 cup -C green beans to their food. It has few calories and it fills them up, plus it is good for them.
2007-02-10 19:25:23 · answer #6 · answered by trishnh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋