[Mdawn]

We had friends over to my house yesterday evening. One of my bf's best friends and his wife. His wife mentioned to me that she heard that large breed dogs, like Mastiff's, do better on elevated beds. Is there any truth to this? Right now, my Mastiff, Uallis has a dog pillow that he sleeps on.

My second question is about the amount of feedings, which should go in the Food section, but don't want to make a second post. Anyway, when Uallis stands I can see the vague outline of his ribs. They don't protrude or anything, they are just vaguely visible. I'm worried that he's too skinny. At his last vet appointment he weighed 42.4 lbs. and he's 4 months old. I asked the vet at the time if this was a good weight and she said it was. He's goes the week of the 16th to the vet to get weighed again. He eats Eagle Pack Holistic Large and Giant breed puppy. Also, I feed him the feeding recommendation on the bag of 4 1/2 cups per day, split up into 2 feedings. He's doesn't get anything else, we don't feed any "people food" to any of our animals. Although, he does get a 2 tablespoons of low fat plain yogurt as needed for gas. As for the amount of exercise he gets; he goes outside to play a total of about 4 1/2 - 5 hours everyday. Not all at once, but broken up. The rest of the time he's in the house, chewing on toys, taking naps, etc. So it is too much exercise and enough food or enough exercise and too little food? Or could it be that I'm just worrying for no reason?

[borzoimom]

I use elevated bowls and double pillow top mattresses or crib mattress.. For eating or drink a elevated bowl is easier on the joints especially for pups.

[Renoman]

First, if your vet is happy with his weight, I wouldn't worry about it. If you would feel better try increasing each feeding a little and see what happens.

Second, with a dog like a mastiff, I'd get something with more support as he gets older. I like the 7'' thick support beds you can get through any of the dog catalogs. They're expensive but with a dog his size, he'll need the support for his joints. Right now I'd guess he's fine with the pillow.

The rest of his routine sounds pretty balanced. As he gets older and his activity level decreases watch his weight. You wouldn't want any extra weight putting a strain on joints.

[BoxMeIn21]

Originally Posted by borzoimom

I use elevated bowls and double pillow top mattresses or crib mattress.. For eating or drink a elevated bowl is easier on the joints especially for pups.

I knew Borzoi thought very highly of themselves, but i'm impressed.
Oh...btw...Rowdy is on his way up to your house (I kicked him off the bed ), look for a fawn, lanky boxer with stitches in his back leg and a discriminating love for cheese.

Edit: That was completely off topic, I know...

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by BoxMeIn21

I knew Borzoi thought very highly of themselves, but i'm impressed.
Oh...btw...Rowdy is on his way up to your house (I kicked him off the bed ), look for a fawn, lanky boxer with stitches in his back leg and a discriminating love for cheese.

Edit: That was completely off topic, I know...

lol.. Well see they had a mattress sale at mattress warehouse- so I have an extra one..
Seriously though- a good supportive crib mattress or even just a twin is like less than half a good dog bed would be- and for these big guys, more useable also.. Even a double pillow top one..

[BoxMeIn21]

Originally Posted by borzoimom

lol.. Well see they had a mattress sale at mattress warehouse- so I have an extra one..
Seriously though- a good supportive crib mattress or even just a twin is like less than half a good dog bed would be- and for these big guys, more useable also.. Even a double pillow top one..

Hmmm...very good idea. I am going to have to crib mattress hunting. Thanks!

[Renoman]

The crib mattress is something I never thought of... duh!!! Great idea.

[Jen D]

Crib Mattress great idea I have a dog with bad hips, I am going shopping.

Like said above if the vet is happy about the weight keep up what you are doing.

[Inga]

Rummage sales folks. I have several crib mattresses in the basement for the kids (four leggers) They love laying down there on them soft, and cool in the basement.

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by Jen D

Crib Mattress great idea I have a dog with bad hips, I am going shopping.

Like said above if the vet is happy about the weight keep up what you are doing.

Like this week at mattress warehouse is having a sale- any size mattress same price. I wait for sales.
And especially for dogs with joint problems- or very large dogs that the beds cost soooo much money, you can not beat the mattress prices especially on sale. It also prevents callous on the elbows etc.. I use a padded mattress cover that is plastic on one side. I place that plastic side on the mattress side. Fitted sheets are easy to clean- with the mattress pad. Alot easier than getting a foam pad back into a fitted dog bed.. lol. ( you know the scenio- you need 8 arms to get them back in when you wash the cover.. lollllll.. )

Originally Posted by Inga

Rummage sales folks. I have several crib mattresses in the basement for the kids (four leggers) They love laying down there on them soft, and cool in the basement.

Perfect! lol

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by borzoimom

Like this week at mattress warehouse is having a sale- any size mattress same price. I wait for sales.
And especially for dogs with joint problems- or very large dogs that the beds cost soooo much money, you can not beat the mattress prices especially on sale. It also prevents callous on the elbows etc.. I use a padded mattress cover that is plastic on one side. I place that plastic side on the mattress side. Fitted sheets are easy to clean- with the mattress pad. Alot easier than getting a foam pad back into a fitted dog bed.. lol. ( you know the scenio- you need 8 arms to get them back in when you wash the cover.. lollllll.. )



Perfect! lol

Such good advise, thanks!

[Love That Collie]

Hi, I know lots of Mastiff's and a Mastiff breeder.
There is also a Mastiff puppy that goes to doggie day care with my 2 dogs.
The puppy is about 6 months old. It's normal to see the rib outline in these dogs at this age. They grow very very fast at times and sometimes their bodies grow a little fast and the weight doesn't catch up for a while. Don't worry the weight will catch up soon, don't want it to grow too fast.

Also most large/giant breed dog breeders don't recommend large/giant breed puppy food after 16 weeks, if at all. A good, all lifestage food after 16 weeks or adult food. I've had large breeds all of my life and only once have I used a large breed puppy food. Mastiff's don't usually have that long of a lifespan and joint and hip problems pop up earlier than other large breeds so it's probably good that yours isn't gaining weight at a rapid pace right now.

[cshellenberger]

His weight sound perfect. You should be seeing the last two ribs when he is eating and the outline of the ribs when he stands.

The crib mattress idea is the best! if you want to elevate it, use a toddler bed.

[Mdawn]

Ok, it sounds like I was worrying for nothing. LOL! I want him to stay on the lean side, but be a nice healthy weight. Easier on his joints.

However, his vet suggested that I keep him on his puppy food until he's a year old. I know that vets aren't the best at nutritional information though. The vet that I take Eddie to suggested that I switch his food to adult at about 7 or 8 months. However, this vet admitted that he doesn't see many Mastiff's; so I went to another vet that is more experienced with them. Yes, Eddie and Uallis go to different vets...I'm crazy... I just ordered Uallis two bags of food the other day, so I have to use up those on him but I am going to look into the differences in EP puppy and their adult formula.

The crib mattress are a great idea. I looked up the prices of thick dog beds the other day...$199.99 for one that would be big enough... I looked at some prices of crib mattresses, much more reasonable.

[cshellenberger]

Originally Posted by Mdawn

Ok, it sounds like I was worrying for nothing. LOL! I want him to stay on the lean side, but be a nice healthy weight. Easier on his joints.

However, his vet suggested that I keep him on his puppy food until he's a year old. I know that vets aren't the best at nutritional information though. The vet that I take Eddie to suggested that I switch his food to adult at about 7 or 8 months. However, this vet admitted that he doesn't see many Mastiff's; so I went to another vet that is more experienced with them. Yes, Eddie and Uallis go to different vets...I'm crazy... I just ordered Uallis two bags of food the other day, so I have to use up those on him but I am going to look into the differences in EP puppy and their adult formula.

I beleive the EP is low enough in protien you can keep him on it for a year. The rule of thumb is to have the protien below 24% and fat below 15% for healthy steady, but not too rapid bone growth. Many Mastiff owners don't feed puppy food at all to keep the protien levels low.

[Dieselsmama]

When Uallis is done his chewing phase check out Cumberland Nap Dog Beds