Feeding Schedule

S

SimonTuffGuy

Forums Novice
What sort of feeding schedule is suggested for a sheltie?

The breeder has said 3 meals a day (about 1/3 cup per feeding) until 3 months. Then switch to 2 meals a day (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) until 6 months... And then after 6 months, either continue feeding 2 meals or you can switch to 1 meal, as long as they are getting between 1 and 1.5 cups per day.

Aden just hit 3 months on Saturday... So, we're looking to move him onto the next schedule... But just wanted opinions from others.

We're feeding him Innova. The breeder provided us with a long list of recommended foods... However, Innova wasn't on the list. We found a specialty pet food store down in Harrisburg (Abrams and Weakley - they seem like a top quality store, lots of good advice and nice owners - they loved Aden!) and they suggested something like Innova. I looked at the ingredients and liked them better than the others that our breeder suggested.

Anyways - Looking for feeding schedules and recommendations. Thanks!
 
It sounds like you're doing just fine. The only thing I'd disagree with is that it *has* to be between 1-1.5 cups of food per day. For some dogs, that'll be too much. For some, that'll be too little. I check mine by feeling them on a regular basis to make sure they're not too fat/thin, and adjust accordingly.
I think you made a smart choice in choosing Innova. It's a high quality dog food. I would bet some of the breeder recommendations were purina pro plan/eukanuba/iams/MAYBE nutro, and I wouldn't feed a single one of those to my dogs.
 
It does depend on the food but 1 to 1.5 is within the range. And like Hope said, you have to judge by feeling for ribs.

I just switched to Orijen (still in transition) and I may start cutting back on volume. It's a much higher quality food (alot less "filler") so I expect it will "stick to the ribs"

Innova is a good food. You made a good choice.
 
I give both mine 2 meals a day but since the age of 1, I reduced the morning meal to 1/8-1/4 a cup (depending on how much exercise they do). My male sooks and barks too much if he doesn't get fed in the morning so it is just a token amount. They get their main meal in the evening (a cooked meal or 1/2 can Eagle Pack Holistic). This also means when we go to training they can have their dinner as training treats. My dogs are both very, very active and I doubt they would get more than 1 1/4cups a day.

I agree you need to regularly assess their intake - at 1yr old my male was 1.4kg heavier so I cut back his food, esp in summer when he was less active. My female I give a little extra when she is feeling too bony. My female is half the weight & size of my male but gets the same amount of food.

Shelties were bred on the Shetlands where food was scarce so they are very fuel efficient little dogs.
 
Thanks all... I realize that there's no "set amount" and that each amount or schedule will vary for each dog. I was just trying to get an idea of 1 or 2 (at that 6~ month point).

Our breeder seemed pretty top notch. She has several AKC champion dogs and shows regularly. Her other suggestions for food were: Evolve, Precise, Sensible Choice, California Natural, Canidae, or Nutro. She was feeding them By Nature Chicken & Rice, but it's my understanding that at some point, there was a recall on this. The store that we are using for our Innova said that they stopped carrying it after the recall.

Aden is going to get his 12 week boosters today. :)
 
Darcy is 9 months today. :eek2: They grow up so fast! He is on the 2 meal a day plan I give him 3/4 cup in the morning and 3/4 cup in the evening. I not sure but I can put money on the fact that he is between 16-17 inches. He is a little larger than the average bear :winkgrin:
 
My little guy gets 1/3 cup of Eagle Pack Holistic twice a day. (Yes, less than a cup.) He's built to the small side, 14.5" and lithe. He also gets multiple treats during the day as we work on agility obstacles such as weave poles and jumps. By cutting back on the food and using better quality treats he ends up getting enough food throughout the day.
 
My boys are about 20 and 25 pounds each. They are in transition to Orijen and get 2/3 cup twice per day.

I will likely scale that back to 1/2 cup per day shortly once I've finished their transition. It's high protein and high calorie.

Then I'll keep feeling their ribs and see how they are doing and adjust accordingly.
 
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