How much should I feed my 7 week old Jack Russel puppy?

Question

The vet said 1/4 cup 3 times a day, but he always seems hungry, and it doesn't seem like it fills him up.

We feed him beneful, which I know is not a good dog food. It's what the breeder was feeding him, I'll switch his food within the next month.

Answer 1

That should be about the right amount of food for him, some dogs will eat anything you put down, even if they aren't truly hungry at the time. If you think he truly is still hungry, you could increase to 1/3 of a cup feedings and see if he acts any differently.

I'm glad you've decided to switch dog foods. It will lead to a longer, healthier life for your puppy. Here is my advice on choosing a dog food:

Read the ingredients on the food you buy. Go with a high quality dog food. (Or in your case, the puppy food variety of the brand you choose to go with.) A grain should not be in the first couple ingredients ingredient (corn and such are mainly fillers, dogs don't digest it well). Avoid foods that have a lot of "by products" listed.

Here is an article about byproducts:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=ingrd

And an article on what ingredients to avoid:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients

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Some GOOD foods are :
* Merrick - http://www.merrickpetcare.com/
* Solid Gold - http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/
* Canidae - http://www.canidae.com/
* Timberwolf - http://timberwolforganics.com/
* Orijen - http://www.championpetfoods.com/orijen/orijen/
* Wellness - http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/
* Chicken Soup brand - http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/
* Innova - http://www.naturapet.com/brands/innova.asp
* Innova EVO - http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp

Or check this website for good foods: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/
(I recommend only feeding foods rated 4, 5, or 6 stars. Anything 3 stars or less, I would stay away from.)

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Stay away from grocery stores brands. They are low-quality foods chalk full of fillers, preservatives, dyes, etc.. (Grocery store foods are those like Beneful, Old Roy, Alpo, etc.)

Beware "premium" foods. "Premium" does not mean good nutritionally, and is not a nutritionally high quality food. It has the same types of ingredients as grocery store foods, just a bit better quality of those not-so-good ingredients. (Premium foods are those like Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, etc..)

Another thing to be wary of: A lot of vets will recommend what they sell in their office. They get profit from the brands they keep on their shelves, that's why they push it. Truth is, vet schools don't focus a lot on nutrition. It's not saying that a vet is a bad vet because he recommends those foods, a lot of vets just are told "this is good food", so they pass the message along without proper nutrition knowledge. Also, some dog food brands (like Hills) support vet schools, so vets have heard of it from the time they start college, which makes them think it's good as well.

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When switching foods, do it gradually. I do this over about a two week timespan:
25% food A, 75% food B
50% food A, 50% food B
75% food A, 25% food B
100% food A

Answer 2

7 Week Old Jack Russell Puppies

Answer 3

Feed him a high quality premium puppy food. Make any food changes gradually, over at least a week to avoid tummy upset. Don't wait a month. Feed him at least 4 times a day at this age. At 12 weeks, feed 3 times a day, and at 6 months feed twice a day for life. If he is hungry, feed him more. He is growing fast at this age and needs a lot of nutrition. Most small breeds reach close to adult size at 6-8 months, so at this time actually decrease the amount they are fed so they don't become overweight.

Answer 4

If you think he is still hungry, try bumping it up to 1/2 a cup 3 times a day. What ever he doesn't eat you can use at the next meal. You also might want to try feeding him 4-6 times a day instead of 3. Puppies grow fast and need lots of nutrients!
Make sure you gradually switch his food so as not to upset his little tummy!

Answer 5

They need to be fed a high quality puppy food from about 3 weeks of age. You mix it with water and make it into a mash, and gradually over a period of time you make it less soft, so that by 6 weeks of age they are eating normal puppy dry food. The mother should still be feeding them regularly and will naturally wean them at about 6 weeks of age. They are dogs and should never be fed cows milk. Cereal with sugar and milk is not going to provide the nutrients which they requrie for normal growth and development and will cause a range of health and behaviour problems throughout life as their brains will not develop normally. The mom should also be fed a high quality puppy food until the pups have been fully weaned at 6-7 weeks of age, as she needs the nutrients that this provides for both her own and the pups needs.

Answer 6

When switching this pets food,please do it gradually by decreasing a small amount of the food it is on now and increase the choosen brand each day until you have it fully on the choosen brand,this way your pets stomach won't get upset.I would suggest you try maybe a 1/2 to 3/4 cup each feeding and only twice a day.This should be enough for your pet til it begins to grow.

Answer 7

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://biturl.im/aU8D7

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 8

I love JRTs, I used to breed them. When it comes to these guys it's all about energy. When my pups are weaning (6-8 wks.) they get dry kibble free choice as well as water. I would also give them just a spoonful of warmed canned dog food at night.
The way I figured it was, they were used to a warm belly of milk, so I substituted.
Now as they get older I stop heating it up and the limit for an adult is 7oz (About 1/2 the can) and upto 1 1/2 cups kibble.
If your pup starts to look chubby, go for the diet kibble and lite foods. Lots of exercise.
By now you know how busy your new friend is. A happy JRT has a "job" and works it. One of our 1st pups, Ziggy, thinks his job is ridding the yard of moles. He's an old boy now and my yard is lumpy from holes he's dug, but we don't have any moles.
Have fun with your pup.

Answer 9

Beniful is pretty much on of the lowest dog foods out there. Stay away from IAMS, Purina, Eukunumba, science diet, and anything sold in grochery stores.

I like cannidae, innova, wellness, merrick, and natural balance.

Answer 10

yes they keep eating!
mine is 21 pounds
feed her puppy chow if you feel that she is not totally in to dry food poor 1/4 cup of warm milk or water that will help her like it better but only give her about 3/4 - 1 cup of food 2x a day