Confused about All Life Stages for 9 month old puppy

[Bruisersmomi]

So Diesel is currently on Earthborn(Costal Catch to Great Plains Feast). He was previously on Pro Plan and got him off of that. It seems ever since he started the Earthborn he is skinnier? I see his hip bones and it is so bothersome. So here is my question. Do puppies require more food on the All Life Stages then what it states for just the weight of your dog? Everything I have read says the back of the bag should tell you how much to increase for puppies but I don't see it on the back of the bag. He is currently getting the max for his weight which is 2 3/4 cup per day. Wondering if I should add another 1/2 cup or so?

 

[TwoDogs]

The portions listed on the bag are just a guideline. Any particular dog might require more or less than what is recommended. Personally, I feel comfortable feeding 10-15% higher than the largest recommended portion for a particular dog's ideal weight. If I have to feed any more than that to maintain weight, I start looking to for a food that might suit that dog better.

In general, if a dog is underweight, feed the portion recommended for their ideal weight. So if you want him to gain a little weight, feed the portion for that weight, not what he weighs now.

Realize also that you have a 9 month old. At that age he's going to be thin and leggy, even more so if he happens to still be intact. During adolescence, hormones are high, metabolism is high, and energy requirements are high. Needing to feed on the high end of the guidelines or a little more isn't unusual at his age.

 

[Jan]

Adolescent boxers often seem to go through a walking skeleton stage. Nothing that you do will put on weight. Allie is doing the same thing. She is so skinny, despite the fact that I have increased her food by quite a bit. Moto did the same thing. Then one day he was suddenly getting fat. :( You just have to wait it out.

 

[Bathel]

So Diesel is currently on Earthborn(Costal Catch to Great Plains Feast). He was previously on Pro Plan and got him off of that. It seems ever since he started the Earthborn he is skinnier? I see his hip bones and it is so bothersome. So here is my question. Do puppies require more food on the All Life Stages then what it states for just the weight of your dog? Everything I have read says the back of the bag should tell you how much to increase for puppies but I don't see it on the back of the bag. He is currently getting the max for his weight which is 2 3/4 cup per day. Wondering if I should add another 1/2 cup or so?

2 3/4 cups seems a bit low in calories for a 50ish lbs pup at 9 months. That's 1,200 kCals and I would guess a pup of that age/weight would be more in the 1,500 calories range depending on activity.

One thing I found with my girl.. she would go throw growth spurts and would look "ribby/boney" for weeks until her muscle caught up with her size. I weighed her weekly to make sure she was gaining weight and not losing weight during this period of time (until about 18months of age).

I wouldn't see any issue with giving him and additional 1/2 to 1 cup of food per day and monitoring to make sure he's not getting "fat". You should see the last three ribs, but you don't really want to see a defined hip bone or spine... there will be a bump there, but you don't want it to "look" like the bone, it should be softer looking.

There used to be some sites that did calories calcs for dogs, you could do a google search and see what comes up... just make sure that it takes into account puppies and is not an Adult only one. The Earthborn your feeding is 435 kCals per 8oz cup.

 

[Gunther]

Adolescent boxers often seem to go through a walking skeleton stage. Nothing that you do will put on weight. Allie is doing the same thing. She is so skinny, despite the fact that I have increased her food by quite a bit. Moto did the same thing. Then one day he was suddenly getting fat. :( You just have to wait it out.

Never heard it put that way before but yeah! Struddel looked like that for about two years?? She finished up at a very solid and lean 65lbs!

 

[Bruisersmomi]

Thanks everyone. My Ollie was the same way for 2 years then as soon as he was neutered he plumped up. He inhales his food like he is starving to death! I think I will increase his food by half a cup and see how it goes. I am going to upload a picture so you can let me know what ya'll think.