Eating & Better Treats

echo8287 · 07-18-2007, 06:43 PM

My 2 Mini Schnauzer puppies at first were eating pretty good. They would eat all their food. They are almost 4 months old now. The breeder gave me some Purina puppy chow and some Science Diet for them. I bought them a bag of Canidae all life stages. Even before I started adding a little Canidae they were not eating all of their food. I'm at the point of about 1/2 Purina/Science Diet,1/2 Canidae right now. Is this too many different types? I give each their own bowl in the morning at 8:00am and then at 5:30pm. Each time a measuring cup full. They each eat about one cup a day out of the total amount. I have been giving them some treats during the day(training). Do you think I'm giving them too many treats? (treats consists of Cheerios, hot dog,peanut butter, or store bought treats) I have been leaving the food out a little longer than 30 minutes to see if they will eat any. At the vet they got their last puppy shots and they weighed 11 lbs. He said they were doing good. First time they weighed 8 lbs. After reading these forums I have decided to try and feed them the better foods and treats. Can yall suggest any good store bought treats? Not any junk stuff. They still have plenty of energy, so thats not a problem. Are honey nut Cheerios ok to give them? "I" like those better than the un-sweetened ones. David

RonE · 07-18-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

They each eat about one cup a day out of the total amount.

I hate to tell you, but Esther, who is a full-grown, 75-pound very active dog eats just two cups of Canidae each day to maintain her girlish figure. She gets very few treats, though there's no guarantee she isn't supplementing her diet with local wildlife.

I have't seen a rabbit in about a year.

all4thedogs · 07-18-2007, 07:08 PM

Yes, if they are eating a cup a day, they are doing FINE!!

My Shih Tzu is 7lbs and eats 1/3 cup day and is at good weight.

echo8287 · 07-18-2007, 07:09 PM

Ron, I'm probably over filling them. I just started adding the Canidae a little at a time for about a week. Trying to change them over slowly. They don't seem to be having any trouble with digestion or going to the bathroom so far. Guess I am just used to my Dalmatian that passed away. She ate everything she was given to her. Thanks for the reply, David

RonE · 07-18-2007, 07:22 PM

My daughter's 14-month-old, 18 pound miniature schnauzer eats about a cup of Canidae each day, and he's a very busy guy.

I just went and checked the Canidae bag for feeding recommendations. They give you quite a bit of latitude. For a while, I was giving Esther much more. When I realized I was get a pudgy Plott hound, I cut back.

briteday · 07-18-2007, 07:59 PM

My favorite store bought treats are the dehydrated chicken strips from Costco. They're around $12 for a 3 pound bag. But I have little dogs too. So I break small pieces off as treats, maybe 1/2" square/ treat. With 2 small dogs and the occasional dogsitting guest that bag lasts me several months.

echo8287 · 07-18-2007, 11:39 PM

Thank you for the answers. Ron, I guess they are just full and can't eat anymore. Oh well, I will use some moderation. I'll go by a Costco and check out those chicken treats. I know they would like those. After the Fourth, I bought a bunch of packs of Oscar Meyer hot dogs cheap. I slice em thin and cut them into 4 little triangles. I use those outside, when I want them to come. They will work for Cheerios in the house. David

briteday · 07-19-2007, 01:44 AM

I also buy the cheapest low sodium chicken or turkey hot dogs for treats. If you slice them lengthwise, then into 1/4" chunks, spread them on a paper plate and microwave for ~ 1-2 minutes (until dried and crispy but not burned) the hot dog bits will keep a long time in a ziplock bag. I make a whole package of hot dogs at once and then freeze them in smaller portions so I have them on hand all the time for training treats or to get them to come inside when I smell a skunk! Works every time.

But they do really love the chicken jerky from Costco too. And the stuffed frozen kong with peanut butter and broken biscuits, hot dog bits, or jerky mixed in are always a good thing when I need them to be occupied and not into trouble. I discovered last week that it's very difficult to lay a laminate floor with dogs walking on it! But kongs kept them happy out on the porch for at least an hour...