When do I switch to adult portions?

[Animal Quackers]

How do you figure out if you should be feeding 2%, 3% or 4%? Is it based on activity level? Or just by try-and-see? Meaning watch for weight loss/gain

Watch for weight gain/loss. I am feeding 3%, but if they start to get heavy, I will cut back.

[magicre]

i used to try to weigh them....

now if bubba's girly waist gets thicker, i cut back...if malia's pouch comes back, i feed less.

i think you can look at them and tell if they are gaining or losing...

but, raw dogs are deceptive....what we are used to as skinny on a raw fed dog is actually pretty healthy...especially when the ribs are defined...not sticking out...but defined.....

course, if you listen to the dog, you're starving him or her....

[ubershann]

i used to try to weigh them....

now if bubba's girly waist gets thicker, i cut back...if malia's pouch comes back, i feed less.

i think you can look at them and tell if they are gaining or losing...

but, raw dogs are deceptive....what we are used to as skinny on a raw fed dog is actually pretty healthy...especially when the ribs are defined...not sticking out...but defined.....

course, if you listen to the dog, you're starving him or her....

According to Lola, the new puppy, I am absolutely starving her. She's constantly hoping for more food. Tiki, however, seems to be the only lab in existence that is not a chowhound. She's never been food motivated and while she loves the meat she's now getting, she's never been pushy for more. She certainly won't turn down treats or extra meat, but she's very polite and not a beggar. I really can't believe what a wonderful puppy she is! I'll keep an eye on her weight though. She seems to be just right now so I guess my job is to maintain that.

Thanks!

[BrownieM]

Does the 2-3% apply for prepared raw medallions (Nature's Variety) as well? My puppy is 7 months and I am not sure if I would follow the recommended amount for an adult at her weight (42 pounds) or the amount listed for a puppy. She should be about 50-55 pounds as an adult.

According to NV, adult portion for her would be 9.3 oz. (9 1/2 medallions)

Puppy "more than half grown" portion would be 18.7 ounces (18-19 medallions)

Big difference!!!

[DaneMama]

I would base feeding the pre made stuff off their packaging. I can't really offer much advice other than that since I don't know what is in them really...

[ubershann]

According to NV, adult portion for her would be 9.3 oz. (9 1/2 medallions)

Puppy "more than half grown" portion would be 18.7 ounces (18-19 medallions)

Big difference!!!

You're talking the small medallions, right? Not the hamburger size patties?

[BrownieM]

You're talking the small medallions, right? Not the hamburger size patties?

Yes, yes. The 1 oz. medallions. I should probably try out the hamburger size patties, huh? I just haven't seen them at my local pet food store, but maybe I wasn't digging deep enough in the freezer.