Puppy feeding - how much, how often

[suzi-q]

My puppy is a jack russell yorkshire terrier cross 14 weeks old. I started out feeding her 3 times daily and now feed her twice a day although usually with something extra during the day, either a few biscuits or a small extra meal.

I have a couple of concerns however. She wolfs her food down and then runs around and if allowed would eat the other dogs food and the cats food too becoming totally bloated. I have to shut the cats away and supervise her because my older jack russell will allow her to eat his food.

Also she seems to be drinking lots of water and then weeing lots. Almost like shes filling up on water.

I give her quite large meals - for her size - she has been wormed regularly since I've had her.

I thought this was just the litter mentality coming out and her feeling that she must bolt her food or lose out. I'm just wondering if I should feed her more often or on something different. At the moment she is on a tinned puppy food. I normally give her about 1/4 to 1/3 of a tin each time.

Any advice gratefully received.

I had posted this is Pets but seems to be more activity here so re-posted.

[jules77]

I have always fed puppies four times a day up to 16 weeks of age, and you usually find they wean themselves off four meals and naturally move to three by leaving some food. Then onto three meals, and two meals at 6 months.

I dont know about amounts for a JRT, did the breeder give you any advice and a diet sheet?

My last puppy ate like a piranha for the first week, and I think it was for the very reason you state, that he was used to being fed with the rest of the litter, and it was either hoover it down in one breath or miss out........he soon calmed down within a week or so.

[jules77]

oh dear, that post doesnt make sense, sorry. (wish you could edit posts here!!) What I meant to say was four meals daily up to 16 weeks of age, then three meals until they get to six months, and then two meals daily. I continue with two meals a day even when they are adults, but that is personal preference.

[suzi-q]

I am going to go back to 3 feeds a day and try a good quality dry food.

Noknowledge - shes really cute -not weird at all - I'm not very good at posting pics etc will see what I can do.

S

[lankeela]

Small breeds need feeding little and often or else they can get Toy Breed Hypolgycemia, due to low blood sugar levels.

Try feeding her a complete dry puppy food, so she has to chew it and should eat it slower than the easy to swallow tinned food. You can soften it a bit with warm water and add a little tinned meat to make it tempting. Don't allow her to eat more than her share at any meal time, and feed her at least four times a day. You could make the breakfast or supper meals a milky porridge type food, such as weetabix or readybrek.

Give her free access to water, she may be drinking a lot because she did not have free access at the breeders.

Are you feeding the same food as the breeder, and did she give you a diet sheet with her? (I sure hope so, if you paid �350 for her).

[suzi-q]

We only paid �150 for her. We didn't really get much information from the breeder. Probably not the best of breeders but the puppy has a clean bill of health from the vet and I think shes fine.

I will try a complete dry food and feed more often and see how she goes.