switching advice & amount of food

[abby's mum]

OK - so I am making the switch to Natural Balance. She loves it! The problem is that when I mix the food she picks through and only eats the new food. I don't want her tummy to be upset from not switching gradually.

Problem number 2 - she is too thin! She is 20 inches tall and weighs 33 pounds. You can see her ribs and her hips spine area needs filling out. I know she is better thin and boxers don't fill out till they are 2-3 years but I feel like a terrible mom. So - how much should I feed her? The natural balance says for her age 6 mo's 2-3 cups a day. The food she was on before said 2 cups a day and we were feeding her four. She was also eating all of it the majority of the time with the occasional missed meal every 3rd or 4th day which I her is normal for boxers. But she was still thin. Should I feed her more? I need someone to help me who has fed this and knows!

 

[cashisking]

I feed Natural balance and opt for the most food suggested by the manufacturer. My dogs are very active and not fat by any means. I would go a little more (not double though)and see how she does, adjust to her, and your liking. As far as switching, if she is just eating the NB and picking everything else out, and having no problems, I would just switch.

Good Luck
Jenn

 

[Slippynicla]

Our boxer did the same thing when we switched her to natural balance! She would pick through and only eat their kibble (how she knew the difference was beyond me), so I just switched her cold-turkey. Her stools were a little loose (not runny or anything) for about a week, and then she was fine.

Also after we switched to natural balance she gained 8lbs. in about 6 weeks, so give the natural balance some time and see if she gains. She's full grown and she was eating 3 cups a day, and went from 58lbs. (I could see every rib on her) to 66lbs., and now she looks great.