We just brought home our 6 week old new baby and we have never had a Boxer before! The breeder said to give him about 1/2 cup of food 2 times a day and about 1/4 cup water 4-5 times a day. She said that if we fed him too much or gave him too much water, he would have stomach problems. We have noticed that if we give him additional food, he will get a little looseness to his stool. Does this sound right to you or are we under feeding/watering our new little guy? Is this a trial and error learning process that we will go through?
Question on food and water
- Thread starter shaqsmom
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MikenWoody
Boxer Pal
Depending on how often you are able to let him out to relieve himself. Are you feeding kibble? When first brought Woody home we were able to be with him for the first week all day and we fed him 4-5 times and it was almost 2-3 cups according the Canidae dry kibble bag. I have not heard of stomach problems but there is information on this site regarding gastric torsion which boxers are suceptible to.
kathysboxer
Boxer Insane
Not sure about the food. But IMO as for the water, I myself always have water available to Tyson. When he was smaller it did mean more trips outside, but I can't imagine how horrible it would be to be thirsty and not be able to drink anything. And people wonder why dogs drink from a toilet bowl (LOL) :D
You should NOT restrict water to a baby puppy (or any animal, for that matter), most especially if you are feeding dry food. One of the fundamental basics is that fresh water should be available at ALL times. Picking up the water dish an hour or so before bed is one thing - but restricting it further than that is potentially dangerous. I certainly would not be rationing him to a miniscule amount that's barely more than a cup a day.
As to the food...
A 6 week old puppy should not have left his mother yet. In many places it is illegal to rehome a pup that young (not sure about the law where you are), and it is for very good reasons. The minimum age a young puppy should be rehomed is 8 weeks. The difference might not sound that much to you - but its a full third of your pup's current life span. If you can send him back to his mother/littermates for a further couple of weeks, it would be very much in his best interests for you to do so.
If you cannot, then you need at very least to change your feeding regime. A puppy of this age should be eating AT LEAST four times a day, more likely 5. Babies this young can barely regulate their own body temperature, let alone their blood sugar levels if they're required to go too long without food. Just like with human babies, they need frequent small feeds - or you risk blood sugar problems, even hypoglycaemia. So splitting the food into more frequent, smaller meals is very much needed. It doesn't have to be a greater amount of food (check the guidelines on the packaging - there is NO standard amount, it varies according to the food you're feeding), but he does need to have a little frequently.
As to the food...
A 6 week old puppy should not have left his mother yet. In many places it is illegal to rehome a pup that young (not sure about the law where you are), and it is for very good reasons. The minimum age a young puppy should be rehomed is 8 weeks. The difference might not sound that much to you - but its a full third of your pup's current life span. If you can send him back to his mother/littermates for a further couple of weeks, it would be very much in his best interests for you to do so.
If you cannot, then you need at very least to change your feeding regime. A puppy of this age should be eating AT LEAST four times a day, more likely 5. Babies this young can barely regulate their own body temperature, let alone their blood sugar levels if they're required to go too long without food. Just like with human babies, they need frequent small feeds - or you risk blood sugar problems, even hypoglycaemia. So splitting the food into more frequent, smaller meals is very much needed. It doesn't have to be a greater amount of food (check the guidelines on the packaging - there is NO standard amount, it varies according to the food you're feeding), but he does need to have a little frequently.
Please Work
Boxer Booster
I don't know about the laws where you live but in Australia pet owners need to provide their pets with clean water to drink AT ALL TIMES or you can be charged with animal cruelty!
RoyeBeth
Boxer Pal
Hungry baby
We just brought home our lil girl, Molly, she's 9 weeks old and 14.5 lbs. I've been feeding her a 1/2 a cup of dry food three times a day and she seems so hungry all of the time, should I up the amount of food or increase the number of feedings to four, or both?
Thanks for any help.
We just brought home our lil girl, Molly, she's 9 weeks old and 14.5 lbs. I've been feeding her a 1/2 a cup of dry food three times a day and she seems so hungry all of the time, should I up the amount of food or increase the number of feedings to four, or both?
Thanks for any help.
It's impossible to give a sensible answer to your question
Not without knowing what you're feeding her, anyway. Every dog food is different in terms of digestibility and in calorie content - and it's not a small range of difference we're talking about (for example, one food might only contain 300 calories per cup, whilst another might have 600). So what constitutes a reasonable amount of food, or too much or two little is specific to the food in question.What does the feeding guideline on the packaging say to feed? That is the best starting point (and IS specific to the food you're feeding). From there, it is reasonable to suggest how much more or less a particular pup might be fed.
RoyeBeth
Boxer Pal
Thank you for your reply
I know it's very difficult to know, all the variables are so different. We're feeding her Purina Healthy Puppy Formula. The Breeder was feeding her Purina Puppy Chow but the first ingredient was corn, so we bought the Healthy Formula. I know you're suppose to keep them on the same formula but we just thought the Healthy Formula would be better for her. So far she's eating it really well.
I know this is more info than you need or want :o), but the first is what I'm feeding her now. And the second formula, the Nature's Recipe is what I'm wanting to transition her to. Purina recommends for her age 1 - 1 3/4 cups. But their feeding schedule is very confusing.
I'm doing 1/2 cup 4 times a day starting today.
Dog Products: Total Nutrition Formulas
Purina ONE® Healthy Puppy Formula
Real Lamb and Rice included as easily digestible ingredients
DHA, a nutrient also found in mother's milk, for vision and brain development
Antioxidant rich nutrition for healthy immune development
Vitamins and Minerals for strong bone growth
Purina ONE® Natural Blends Lamb & Barley Formula + Vitamins & Minerals
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles
Lamb, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, oat meal, fish meal (source of DHA), whole grain corn, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), poultry by-product meal, calcium phosphate, animal digest, potassium chloride, salt, caramel color, calcium carbonate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, zinc sulfate, choline chloride, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.
M-4163
Manufactured by: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, St. Louis, MO 63164 USA
Animal feeding tests using Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) procedures substantiate that Purina ONE Healthy Puppy Formula provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth of puppies and reproducing females in stages of gestation and lactation.
Start puppies on moistened Purina ONE as early as they will nibble at solid foods, generally three to four weeks of age. Allow your puppy to eat at will until fully weaned (six to eight weeks). After weaning, feed pups (to six months of age) all of the moistened or dry Purina ONE they will consume at intervals throughout the day. If water is added, use no more than one part warm (not hot) liquid to four parts Purina ONE, changing frequently to ensure freshness. If fed dry, this formula may be kept before pups at all times. For best results, develop a regular feeding schedule, such as three small meals a day for younger puppies. Gradually reduce to one feeding in the morning and one in the evening as your puppy ages. The routine should not vary.
Purina ONE provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for the growth of puppies and reproducing females in stages of gestation and lactation. There is no need to add vitamins, minerals or other supplements, unless specifically directed by a veterinarian.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nature’s Recipe® Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
Complete Ingredients
Lamb meal, ground rice, pearled barley, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried egg, lamb digest, tomato pomace, flax seed, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), inositol, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, beta-carotene, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), choline chloride, yucca schidigera, rosemary extract.
I know it's very difficult to know, all the variables are so different. We're feeding her Purina Healthy Puppy Formula. The Breeder was feeding her Purina Puppy Chow but the first ingredient was corn, so we bought the Healthy Formula. I know you're suppose to keep them on the same formula but we just thought the Healthy Formula would be better for her. So far she's eating it really well.
I know this is more info than you need or want :o), but the first is what I'm feeding her now. And the second formula, the Nature's Recipe is what I'm wanting to transition her to. Purina recommends for her age 1 - 1 3/4 cups. But their feeding schedule is very confusing.
I'm doing 1/2 cup 4 times a day starting today.
Dog Products: Total Nutrition Formulas
Purina ONE® Healthy Puppy Formula
Real Lamb and Rice included as easily digestible ingredients
DHA, a nutrient also found in mother's milk, for vision and brain development
Antioxidant rich nutrition for healthy immune development
Vitamins and Minerals for strong bone growth
Purina ONE® Natural Blends Lamb & Barley Formula + Vitamins & Minerals
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles
Lamb, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, oat meal, fish meal (source of DHA), whole grain corn, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), poultry by-product meal, calcium phosphate, animal digest, potassium chloride, salt, caramel color, calcium carbonate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, zinc sulfate, choline chloride, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.
M-4163
Manufactured by: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, St. Louis, MO 63164 USA
Animal feeding tests using Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) procedures substantiate that Purina ONE Healthy Puppy Formula provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth of puppies and reproducing females in stages of gestation and lactation.
Start puppies on moistened Purina ONE as early as they will nibble at solid foods, generally three to four weeks of age. Allow your puppy to eat at will until fully weaned (six to eight weeks). After weaning, feed pups (to six months of age) all of the moistened or dry Purina ONE they will consume at intervals throughout the day. If water is added, use no more than one part warm (not hot) liquid to four parts Purina ONE, changing frequently to ensure freshness. If fed dry, this formula may be kept before pups at all times. For best results, develop a regular feeding schedule, such as three small meals a day for younger puppies. Gradually reduce to one feeding in the morning and one in the evening as your puppy ages. The routine should not vary.
Purina ONE provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for the growth of puppies and reproducing females in stages of gestation and lactation. There is no need to add vitamins, minerals or other supplements, unless specifically directed by a veterinarian.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nature’s Recipe® Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
Complete Ingredients
Lamb meal, ground rice, pearled barley, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried egg, lamb digest, tomato pomace, flax seed, potassium chloride, salt, taurine, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), inositol, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, beta-carotene, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), choline chloride, yucca schidigera, rosemary extract.
Mmmm. It's not the question you asked... but what you're feeding your pup is junk food. It is probably slightly better than the purina formula the breeder was using - but we're still down amongst the lowest quality foods it's possible to spend your money on. The Nature's Recipe is better - but it's still only an average food (FAR more grains apparent than meat - and dogs are carnivores, not designed for eating grain). But perhaps you might consider upgrading her to something a bit more nutritious in another couple of weeks or so (or whenever this bag is going to run out)?
Irrespective - and on to the amount of food. If the manufacturer suggest 1-3/4 cups per day (it is ALWAYS per day, irrespective of how many feeds you split it into) for her age AND weight, then you're not that far short with the 1.5 cups she's been getting. If her weight is correct and you can just make out the outline of the last ribs, then it's probably about right for her. If you can see more ribs than that, then increasing the food amount slightly is a good idea (I wouldn't exceed it by a wide margin though - so maybe a total of 2 cups per day at maximum).
Irrespective - and on to the amount of food. If the manufacturer suggest 1-3/4 cups per day (it is ALWAYS per day, irrespective of how many feeds you split it into) for her age AND weight, then you're not that far short with the 1.5 cups she's been getting. If her weight is correct and you can just make out the outline of the last ribs, then it's probably about right for her. If you can see more ribs than that, then increasing the food amount slightly is a good idea (I wouldn't exceed it by a wide margin though - so maybe a total of 2 cups per day at maximum).
RoyeBeth
Boxer Pal
Thank you so much.
I really appreciate your help. We are definitely going to upgrade her food and have been looking at the recommendations for 6 & 5 star ratings. We were thinking of Wellness Large Breed Puppy mix. The nurse at the Vet's suggested a large breed food for her, saying that Boxer's are considered large breed. May I ask what you think about that brand of food and should it be a large breed formula?
We can't see any more ribs than the last two so I think I'll stick with the three feedings a day.
Thanks so much for your help, it's appreciated.
I really appreciate your help. We are definitely going to upgrade her food and have been looking at the recommendations for 6 & 5 star ratings. We were thinking of Wellness Large Breed Puppy mix. The nurse at the Vet's suggested a large breed food for her, saying that Boxer's are considered large breed. May I ask what you think about that brand of food and should it be a large breed formula?
We can't see any more ribs than the last two so I think I'll stick with the three feedings a day.
Thanks so much for your help, it's appreciated.
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