how much dog food?

[BULLBLASTER]

i am not too sure how much food to be feeding my gsp, he is 1 year old.
i have been feeding him eukaneuba adult dog food. he gets 2 cups in the morning and 2 cups in the evening.
i can see his back bones and his ribs a little bit when he turns. should i up his food?
the bag says only to feed him 2.5-3 cups a day.

thanks for the help, he is my first dog.

[benbo30]

generally that is enough i feed my labs about 2 - 2.5 cups a day , my male has been losing some weight so i feed him more , you should probably check for worms

[arintime]

I feed my pup (5 months) Nutro natural puppy food at the rate listed on the bag +some for her weight and she is fine. 2cups am and 2 cups pm. She looks great and and has a shiny coat. She also plays lots with another dog 5-6 days a week. I have upped her food a little because she seemed to be hungry after eating by about 1/4 cup per feeding.

[BULLBLASTER]

can he have worms if he was de wormed and has all his shots as a puppy?
i thought they cant get them?

[kbyers]

i can see his back bones and his ribs a little bit when he turns.

I think part of it is the breed of dog.  The last GSP that I watched grow up didn't fill out until he was almost 2 1/2.

[benbo30]

can he have worms if he was de wormed and has all his shots as a puppy?
i thought they cant get them?

not sure how the dewormer works but i have seen vets give dewormer to dogs several times not just once

[Shootmoore]

Yes he could have worms, or it could be the breed of the dog.  A lot of dogs you see out and about are overweight.  Sounds like he is getting enough food, so I would suggest either deworming him again (it only lasts a certain amount of time) or better yet take him in for a checkup as it sounds like he is due for one.  The vet should be able to tell you if he is underweight.

Shootmoore

[Camo Queen]

I asked my vet about this not too long ago. They basically said that there is no set amount you should feed and that how much you feed your dogs will vary depending on how much activity they are getting. I have 3 labs and right now they each get 2 cups in the morning and 2 cups at night. During the summer they get a lot more exersize, so I up it to 3 cups unless I notice them gaining weight. The vet said you should be able to see definition of the ribs, but they shouldn't be sticking out. Also, dogs can get worms any time, and they get them several different ways.  I worm my dogs once a year, usually in the spring or early summer when the flea activity picks up. I go to the vet and ask them for Drontal. I believe you have to get it from the vet, and it's not cheap, but it is a good broad spectrum wormer. I agree with shootmoore. Wouldn't hurt to take your pup to the vet and ask them what he should look like at a healthy weight. Hope this helps a little

[Ironhead]

I have a 1 yera old GSP that I feed puppy food to during the hunting season and regular food during the off season. My vet said that as hard as he is hunting the adult food doesn't have the protein needed. I feed him a quart jar of food in the morning and another in the evening. They are a high energy breed and burn lots of calories. I also think the de worming is a good idea.

[Birdguy]

Bullblaster, most GSP are thinner by breed. I would not be at all concerned by seeing the ribs when he turns, that is normal. Your GSP will never look like a lab and if it does it is over weight. Worming is a good practice for most all animals. Talk it over with your vet (a phone call should work) for the when and what of worming. Hopefully Sportfury or Rowdy or Texrex will chime in here with their specific recommendations for your breed of dog, but it sounds like you are just fine to me. I like to be able to see a bit of rib on all my dogs, food intake should fluctuate with activity level. During hunting season my lab gets 6 to 8+ cups of food, while during the off season he only gets about 4. My GSP (4 1/2yrs old) gets free food all day and will not put on weight. The vet says it is just the way she is, we think she is too slim and actually add corn syrup to her food and she still will not put on much weight. Keep an eye on him, but I bet he is just fine.

[steen]

Our Red Setter has food in front of her at all times.  She does not over eat but not all dogs can be fed this way.  It depends on growth, how much they are working, in or out doors, what breed the dog is, if he is spayed or neutered, his size, and other factors.  Some dogs won't gain weight even when free fed.  If your dog runs all the time he needs more calories.  Just a few pointers. Couldn't give you an amount not knowing more info

[Clumber]

Our Red Setter has food in front of her at all times. (snip)

Steen - Whatever you do, if a pack of Clumbers show up on your porch DO NOT LET THEM IN!  Especially the older deaf one... no matter how pathetic the puppy eyes they give you - do NOT let them in!  I try to keep them from reading these sorts of things... but the Force is Strong with them, and they will read my mind.  Then they'll read YOUR mind for your address, they'll hail some poor cabbie and convince him/her to take them to your house... it won't turn out for good for anyone!

To the original question - I'd recommend asking your vet, or even better the breeder you got your pup from.  As others have said, the true answer is "it depends".  Right now we have a 5yo 70# Clumber male who eats about 1.5 cups 2x a day, and an 18 month old 30# English Cocker who eats 1.5 cups 2x a day.  Of the same food. They are both at ideal weight right now.  However, in the next couple weeks as we start their training for the upcoming hunt test season, the Clumber will probably need to move up to 2cups 2x, or even more.  The ECS?  Probably won't need much change at all. During the hunt testing season, they usually go back down since that is Springtime and typically they need less food in the Spring.   Next Fall when we start them on "real hunting" trips - quite possibly another increase.  Our older deaf girl we just started on a different (senior) food and we still aren't sure where her ideal amount is.

So yeah - the right answer is "it depends".  If for whatever reason you don't want to call your vet or the breeder, you can start out by going with the recommendations on the bag of food you are feeding.  If your dog leaves kibble in the bowl several feedings in a week or so, then try a little less.  If your dog cleans the dish of all kibble, all vapors, and all memory of any kibble - congratulations - you have a Clumber!  Errr... I mean, you'll want to try a little more kibble.  Unless you have a Clumber, then stick to the recommended amount for a month and judge the dog's condition.  I can't remember which, but I know one of the major food companies has a great diagram of judging your dog's condition from above, using IIRC a lab.

But asking your pup's breeder would be the ideal method.  Some lines, even within the same breed, have different tendencies.  We put recommendations in the paperwork we send out with the pups.

~ tracy

[Axle]

I've owned dogs many times in my life. It was common knowledge that dogs only need a meal once a day. They are not like humans and humans don't always understand animals. Don't let your 'feelings' get in the way. Many people think their dog needs 3 square meals a day.

Dogs have slow digestive systems. Don't over feed them and don't feel sorry for them when you feed them only one meal per day. Over feeding is worse.

They do need a certain level of grease or fat or they will not have the proper fur coat they need.

[Houndhunter]

once a day, not sure how much but prob a lil over 2 cups. but i also have mine trained to stop eating, thats really handy

i de worm mine usually 2 times a year, they can really get them any time and since mine are around animals that are known to carry worms and other hounds i like to make sure if they get them they will soon be taken care of

[BULLBLASTER]

i dont think he has any worms, he doesnt go around many dogs a lot.
he also doesnt run extremely hard, we go for a walk, and he plays in the yard. i cant go hunting muchbecause i am layed off and dont have a job to afford it.
he get more than the bag says and seems full of energy.
thanks for the input.