am I feeding my dog enough?

[anomaly13]

I have an 8-10 month old 42 pound pit/jack russell mix. I feed him a little more then 2 cups in the morning, between 7:30-8am, and then about a cup in the afternoon, between 12:30-1pm. We use Kirkland signature puppy formula. I threw out the bag but I am pretty sure it said to feed aroung 2 3/4 cups. I don't feed him in the evening because we had issues with him pooping in the house while we slept. DH figured that he would poop up to 10 hours after he last ate so that's why we feed him at 1pm. I guess I could feed him later at night like 9pm but really don't want to be cleaning up poop every morning. He is definatly hungry first thing in the morning but I try and get the kids their breakfast first so he knows his place in the family order. He also eats after them at lunch.

So is it enough? Is the timing ok?

[Ola_]

It depends on the food and the dog's metabolism so much that it's hard to say. Frankly, many foods say on the bag to feed too much so I just use it as a starting point myself. Just keep an eye on his body condition and cut back/increase if needed. You want to be able to easily feel his ribs when you run your fingers along his sides as he is standing up straight.

I know you didn't ask but at his age I wouldn't be feeding puppy food anymore. Feeding in the morning and early afternoon sounds fine to me, he doesn't necessarily need a meal in the late evening. You can give him a cookie before bed if you'd like. Unusual that he had accidents at night time though - is he processing the food okay? Firm stools? Many dog would either be able to hold it till morning or let you know that they need to go out by making noise somehow.

Personally I also don't think when you feed the kids has much to do with anything either. At our house as long as the rules are obeyed (sit before you're fed, don't steal anyone else's food, don't bother us while we're eating) it's all good. Since you're working on crating you can give him his food in his crate (either in a bowl or scatter it on the floor) and close the door while you're feeding the kids.

[anomaly13]

I think part of the reason for the accidents was that he was new to our house and we were changing his food. His stools are normal, I think he poops twice a day. He never poops or pees on walks but as soon as we get homehe goes to the bathroom. I wish he would go on walks so I wouldn't have to search for his poop in the yard.

As for feeding the kids first, I don't let him in the kitchen while we are eating or while making meals. My youngest, being a 16 month old, drops food on the floor but since we got the dog he does it a lot now, he like to watch the dog eat the food he drops. So we are trying to keep him out of the kitchen but not locked in his kennel, I want him to learn to stay without being locked behind something. Feeding him after the kids is also a way for me to remember to feed him at the right time. I also don't want him getting something off the floor that may upset his tummy so it is just easiest to bring him into the laundry room, where he eats which is through the kitchen, after everyine else has eaten or at least close to finishing.

Why can't dog eat rasins or grapes? My kids love rasins and grapes and they get droped a lot too. I am sure he has gotten a few but I try hard to keep him out of the kitchen while we eat.

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by anomaly13

Why can't dog eat rasins or grapes? My kids love rasins and grapes and they get droped a lot too. I am sure he has gotten a few but I try hard to keep him out of the kitchen while we eat.

They are toxic to pets. They can cause acute renal (kidney) failure.

Garlic, Onions, Mushrooms, Chocolate, Macademia nuts.....all toxic

http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicfoods.html

[anomaly13]

Originally Posted by lonegirl

They are toxic to pets. They can cause acute renal (kidney) failure.

Garlic, Onions, Mushrooms, Chocolate, Macademia nuts.....all toxic

http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicfoods.html

Interesting, I read that you can give dogs small amounts of garlic for flea control. I think it said 1-2 cloves spread over a week, like a quater clove every other day. I will look for the source.

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by anomaly13

Interesting, I read that you can give dogs small amounts of garlic for flea control. I think it said 1-2 cloves spread over a week, like a quater clove every other day. I will look for the source.

It is thought that it can work as a repellant but the chemicals used in most veterinary recommended flea products are safer for the pet. Garlic, being part of the onion family, can damage red blood cells in your pets. This can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, inflammation of the mouth and stomach, anemia and even death.

[HealingBeam]

I'm confused..

Cat Food:
Cat food is generally too high in protein and fats.

I won't feed my dog cat's food but isn't the Canidae and other grain free dog foods high in protein too? Is too much protein a problem for a dog?

[Ola_]

I disagree with many of the things on that list. Unfortunately it comes up on the top of the Google search results so I see many people referencing it on the Internet. For one raw bones, meat, fish and eggs are not dangerous to dogs - that's why so many of us here are feeding raw diets to our dogs. I would also disagree that commercial flea products are safer than a small amount of garlic - you're basically talking about putting an insecticide on your pet. That doesn't mean I'd recommend feeding your pet a whole bunch of garlic cloves without doing any research though.

Here is a better list IMO:
http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...s&story_no=257

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by Ola_

I disagree with many of the things on that list. Unfortunately it comes up on the top of the Google search results so I see many people referencing it on the Internet. For one raw bones, meat, fish and eggs are not dangerous to dogs - that's why so many of us here are feeding raw diets to our dogs. I would also disagree that commercial flea products are safer than a small amount of garlic - you're basically talking about putting an insecticide on your pet. That doesn't mean I'd recommend feeding your pet a whole bunch of garlic cloves without doing any research though.

Here is a better list IMO:
http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...s&story_no=257

Unfortunately, I have seen dogs with renal failure linked to garlic ingestion. I have not seen any dogs with serious side effects from flea products....note I had mentioned before that not all flea pesticides are good....but Advantage, Revolution, Program have all been well tested. These are products we recommended at the hospital (veterinary). Many pet store products are very dangerous and not well tested.

As for Raw Food Diets...I will be going to a big vet tech conference next month....one of the topics I will be studying will be the Raw food diet....general consensus has been that it isn't recommended by I'd say 99% of vets I have worked with....but I want to learn more.

[Ola_]

Sadly much of the vet education on pet diets is sponsored by pet food companies, so it's not really surprising that they don't know/recommend them. I don't want to turn this into a raw vs. kibble thread though. But for human food no one will tell you that a processed, dehydrated diet is better than fresh, whole foods.