Am i feeding my dog too much?

Question

She is about 40-45 lbs. she is a German Shorthair Pointer mix i feed her 3 cups once a day. is that too much? Do i need to cut back to 2 cups? She always eats it and is in no way over weight. The vet said her weight was perfect for her height and such. So should i cut back? oh i feed her Nutro

Answer 1

If she is not overweight, and is not gaining weight, but maintaining a healthy weight, then I would not cut back on food.

Each one of my dogs eats FOUR cups of food a day (three of them).

Can you imagine MY dog food bill? hahaha

Answer 2

Firstly what you need to know is that you're not feeding her often enough. It has nothing to do with the amount or what kind of food and your vet would have mentioned this to you. Given that she is a large breed, deep chested dog puts her at risk for gastric torsion (or bloat.)

If she only eats once a day you have 3 cups of dry kibble sitting in her belly every 24 hours meaning her stomach is very full all at once then setting her stomach up to basically flip on itself and fill with gas which can kill her in a matter of hours. It can also increase the chance of digestive problems such as over production of stomach acids which will cuase her to vomit bile when her stomach is at it's emptiest like 23 hrs after the last meal. Humans eat at least three meals a day. Most especially when there is wieght managment issues. Eating twice a day will keep  hermetabolism going at a steady pace. Just like when you diet your doctor will tell you tell eat small meals frequently to keep metabolism going strong.

Now if your vet said she was a perfect weight why are you concerned?

Obviously 3 cups per day is maintaining her wieght fine but how about feeding her 1 and 1/2  cups in the morning & then again in the evening.

Answer 3

Ohh if only we had exact measurements for each individual dog!  The truth is, it is not that simple.  There are so many factors that are involved.  Such as your dogs activity level, build, etc.  

If your dog is not overweight then keep feeding the way you are.  If you believe your dog could stand to lose a few pounds, then cut back her food to 2 cups.  

Ideal body weight: http://www.purina.com/dogs/health/AdultB...

Answer 4

pointers are more energetic and have a higher metabolism, so if she is not overweight i wouldn't worry about it.  in larger dogs it is usually better to feed them twice a day, so maybe give her 1 1/2 cups twice a day. if you cut back on her food, she will lose weigt.  

Answer 5

Which Nutro...Maxx, Natual Choice or Ultra Holistic.  The Ultra is the best with no c**p in it.  Anyway, if she's healthy and exercises and isn't fat then I would stay with what you are doing.  The stuff on the bag is just a guidline and if your dog has a faster metabolism then she needs the 3 cups.  I'd divide it up btwn 2 feeding though...it's better for blood sugar control.  One and a half cups in the morning and the same in the eveing.  

Answer 6

I would leave her food where it's at. Why are you concerned if your vet has already told you that her weight is perfect?

Answer 7

If she's not gaining weight, I wouldn't worry about it. But I think 2 cups would be a little better.  

Answer 8

No. If your vet said she was fine then she is.

Nutro is not a great food. They have had past re-calls on it. Just to let you know!

Edit - Woo Thumbs down! O well... Yes.. Yes I suppose it IS better.