Amount to feed incorrect?

[bunkermom]

I am doing some research for a client who has a 130 lb German Shepherd and she is currently feeding Iams Large Breed and he eats 5 cups per day...which is the recommendation on the bag.

Since I am trying to get her onto a better food (grain free fish based due to some health issues he is having) I have been trolling the net, trying to find out how much she would be feeding of these superior foods.

Imagine my suprise when I realized that (due to the recommendations on the bag)she would have to feed just as much of the grain free or more!! I thought that she would be feeding significantly less...and how am I supposed to explain the benefits of going to something that is going to cost 3 times as much money and she is still going to be feeding the same amount! Especially after I already talked about how she would be feeding less because the food is more nutrient dense and much more digestible than the Iams.

What I don't understand is that there are a LOT more kcal/cup in the grain free but the recommendation is to feed the same amount as the crappy food!

Autumn

 

[argosrocks]

i think orijen 6 fish would decrease that GSD food intake by almost 1.5 -2 cups per day,unless it is a working dog,and by working i mean,like a K9 police dog or rescue dog,therecommendations from the orijen website says 110-145 lb active 5 - 5¾ c less active3½ - 4¾ c ,im willing to bet 3.5 would almost be perfect for that dog,but trial and error is the only way to determine,remember feeding guidelines are not exact and set in stone,it all depends on the dog,and with a quality kibble,your getting nutrient rich food,not filler for the sake of filling the dog up,its all about quality ,there are others out there besides orijen,just keep researching,almost anything is better than iams im afraid.

 

[bigdaddytank]

I fed my Alaskan Malamute Orijen 6 fish, 3 1/2 cups a day. He weighed 120 pounds and was semi active, not working anymore, just play and walks.