How much does your dog eat?

Question

I have a large dog- 190 pounds. We just went to the vet and he said that my dog is not over weight he is just BIG. He recommened that I just keep food in my dogs bowl at all times, i'm not sure I agree. I'm thinking 3 or 4 cups of food per day.
What do you think?

Answer 1

I think what your vet had in mind to do is to stop your dog from gulping his food down all at once. dogs as big as your's will tend to gulp their food down rather quickly and that could cause bloat and a twisted intestine.
So I think he wants you to slow done how he eats not how much he eats. I would give him 2 cups in the morning and then 2 cups at night.
Does that make sence to you?

Answer 2

I have 2 large dogs- both Saint Bernards (one is 160lbs the other is 130lbs). 4 cups a day will put your dogs health in danger. Your dogs will lose a tremendous amount of weight.

I did some research when I got my dogs to find out the most economically efficient way to feed my dogs enough food and still not spend a TON of money on food. Here is what I found out. The better quality food you purchase- the less you need to feed your dog- because they use more of the food for fuel rather than the cheap food just turning straight to waste. For example- an Iam's dog food says that for a 130 lb dog I should be feeding anywhere between 8-12 cups of food per day. This seems a little excissive to me. Then I went to another food (this is the one I was intending on using the Iams bag was just for research)- Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. The daily recommended servings is 6-8 cups of food. So I got to thinking- if a 40lb bag of Iams dog food costs appx $36 and the 40lb bag of dog food costs $46 but my dogs eat less of the $46 dog food- I am breaking even on cost and my dog is getting a MUCH better diet.

So, your dog definitely needs a lot more than 4 cups a day- get a GOOD dog food- not whatever is on sale at the store- decide on a food brand and then use it's daily recommended servings. If you want the best health for your dog- go with a natural food diet such an the one I use or Innovo Evo for Large Breed dogs (this formula has lower protein which is crucial to large dogs). As far as leaving food for your dog all day- I wouldn't recommend this- bloat is extremely common in barrel chested or large breed dogs and can cause severe health problems. Train your dog to eat twice a day and finish his food right away and then make sure his activity level is low for at least 30 minutes.

Good luck and enjoy your big baby!

Answer 3

I just fill up the dish in the morning and usually by the evening it is empty, which equals to about 2 cups, but he is only 30 pounds. I dont think 3-4 cups is enough for a dog that is 190 pounds. Maybe it will say on the bag of dog food what is recommended.

Answer 4

I've switched over to free feeding my 4 Great Danes. I've dealt with bloat before, and I think this is why your vet is recommending that you free feed. When dogs can nibble all day long, they have very little in their stomach at one time. This greatly reduces the chance of bloat. Also, if they are fed twice a day, like I was doing before, they tend to gobble their food down, and take in a lot of air with it, which can lead to bloat as well.

When I first tried free feeding, they gobbled food down like there was no tomorrow. But within a couple of days, when they realized the food was always going to be there, they just started grazing whenever they felt like it, and they are actually eating less now.

Four cups a day doesn't sound like much, my largest male eats about 6 cups. Of course, it depends on what you are feeding, they will need less of a high quality food, than a cheap one which is mostly fillers.

Several Dane breeders that I know, also free feed, for the same reasons. Having had 2 Danes bloat, (one pulled through, the other one didn't) I'm trying to lessen the risk in every way I can. I also use raised food stands, so there is less chance of them taking in air when they eat.

I think your vet is right, on this one.

Answer 5

Did he say why he thought the dog should be free fed?

The bag of food you feed should tell you depending on the dog's weight, what he should eat each day. I would divide it in 1/2 and feed him morning and night. Dogs that are free fed are more likely to be over weight than dogs that get meals.

Dogs too can get bored with food and eating when food is there and available all the time. Can turn into picky eaters because there is no challenge in wandering over to a bowl and flopping down to eat their dinner.

Answer 6

Well I have a Great Dane who is 10 yrs old, and he weighs about 170 lbs. and I have NEVER measured his food. Ive always let him free feed. I just fill up his bowl everyday or when its empty and he is doing great, his vet agrees with me, I also believe that it has kept him from having twisted bowels or anything major like that. Because with large breeds if they eat to much right after they excercise or run or just play, they gulp in to much air and then the stomach turns wrong side out and then it will cost you alot of money and possibly the life of your friend. I think free feeding is a good things. Give it a try, besides you wont have to worry about a schedule. Let me know

Answer 7

Hi ,I have a 119 lb lab and he used to be 130 lb and had to cut him down. He is a big eater. He has cut back a lot as he is 12 years old now If your vet says he is normal for the breed he should know as they told me mine was overweight. I put him on Beneful diet and he lost the weight but now that he is older I have him on Purina senior as he needs it for his bones. I don't go by the feedings on the package as it may be too much for your pet. You can cut him back a little to lose the weight. I leave mine in the dish all day and he eats in spurts when ever he feels like it. As long as you don't keep filling it up they will eat all day. That is a dog for you. I have 3 and have to watch my big one because he would eat every ones LoL!! good luck with your big baby.

Answer 8

Follow direction on dog food bag. or ask a vet. Bigger dog's eat a lot more but becareful not to over feed. It depends on how big and the breed. I have a small shih tzu and we feed her about 2 cups per day. Make sure you don't under feed also. I'd just follow directions on bag of food.

Answer 9

The best thing to do is feeding once or twice a day. Every morning separate the amount recomended on the bag of food in a separated container and use that, not more than that. It will keep you from overfeeding him and you could even leave that quantity all day for him. When he is done, he is done!!

Answer 10

my dog could eat forever. she is a pig, i have always thought that she is a pig put in a dogs body! she chokes on her food because she eats so fast, she acts like she's never eaten her life. i theink because my dog weighs about 75 to 80 pounds and she eats about 4 cups daily 2 in the morning and 2 at night that your dog is fine eating 4 cups.
good luck!!!!!!
:)