Help on height/weight and proper amt of food

B

Brandy's Mom

Forums Enthusiast
Hi Everyone,
Brandy is a 9 mo old sheltie who's on the bigger side. She's 19" high, and about 30lbs. I can still feel her ribs, but I do notice more of a fat layer than a month ago. I've been following the feeding guidelines on the bag for the most part. She gets 1/2 c 3x's day (kibble that's 29% min protein) w/ about 2 tablespoons of lean protein and/or sometimes other veggies (food calls for 1 3/4 c per day for her age and weight). Now that she's the size she will be as an adult, am I feeding her too much? If so, how much should I be feeding her? We walk 1.5 miles per day, and she's out a few other times and runs around some too while out. We also play inside pretty much chasing tennis balls and the like. I saw one of the calorie calculators on another post and it said about 1120 cal/day, but I have no idea how to translate that from the amount of kibble (don't think it's on the bag).

Also, I'm unsure of weighing her by holding her on the scale. I weigh myself, then add her and subtract. It's just a normal type digital scale. She hasn't been weighed at our vet for a few months. She's a muscular dog, especially the rear leg muscles, pretty big, but I do not want her to be larger than she needs to be and sometimes it's hard w/ all the fur!!!

Thanks for any thoughts. :smile2:
 
Rachael's guide to feeding:

If they get skinny, feed more; if they get fat, feed less.

Profound, huh? :lol:

If you can feel a covering of fat over the ribs, that's perfect. Keep doing what you are doing. If you want to go to twice daily feedings, then just bump to 3/4 cup per feeding.
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
Rachael's guide to feeding:

If they get skinny, feed more; if they get fat, feed less.

Profound, huh? :lol:

If you can feel a covering of fat over the ribs, that's perfect. Keep doing what you are doing. If you want to go to twice daily feedings, then just bump to 3/4 cup per feeding.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Nothing wrong with simple! :biggrin2: Will keep an eye on her and reduce if I feel more fat, lol.
 
The amount you're feeding sounds about right...but of course it's hard to tell without seeing your pup.

If you feel like she has gained weight recently, and she could stand to use some, I would recommend maybe reducing her food a little bit and supplementing with green beans (unsalted). Monitor her weight.

If she starts to look too thin, you can always up it again.
 
I'm with Rachel on this one.

With Trapp & Jasper,they are 4 months differance in age,but Jasper requires more food.He is very lean,and here about a month ago,more lean than I cared for.So we bumped things up a bit for him.

Since we have adjusted for him,he is looking much better,and has gained back the weight he lost.So both guys are now at 21#. Jasper is shorter,since he turned a year old,he seemed to shrink a bit.
 
In the winter I decrease food consumption because they exercise less. I agree with the simple method that if they appear to lose weight, feed more.

Shelties are slightly lean by body build anyway, the hair easily hides it. They're not quite as lean as a greyhound but they have the big barreled chest.

I typically measure weight more on shoulder fat, because my old dog never has any fat layer over his ribs, even if he is 5lbs overweight (and at 11lbs, 5lbs is A LOT lol)
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
Rachael's guide to feeding:

If they get skinny, feed more; if they get fat, feed less.

Profound, huh? :lol:

If you can feel a covering of fat over the ribs, that's perfect. Keep doing what you are doing. If you want to go to twice daily feedings, then just bump to 3/4 cup per feeding.
Click to expand...

Thats the rule I follow too!! :lol: Too skinny you get more too pudgy you get cut back! :)
 
ChargerOnDavins said:
I typically measure weight more on shoulder fat, because my old dog never has any fat layer over his ribs, even if he is 5lbs overweight (and at 11lbs, 5lbs is A LOT lol)
Click to expand...

That only works if your dogs have decent fronts. For dogs with upright shoulders, they will have a roll of fat that sits over the withers, regardless of their weight.
 
I follow Rachel's feeding guide as well. Too heavy, cut back. Too skinny, add more.

I have found that the kibble bag's recommended guideline is usually more than my dog really needs. Her bag suggests 1-1 1/2 cups a day for her weight, but she is only eating 1/2 cup a day. She does get a lot of treats throughout the day because we practice agility and obedience.

Maybe cutting back to feeding her 2x a day will help? At 9 months old, I don't think you need to feed her 3x a day anymore. I think I started feeding Bailey 2x a day at 5 or 6 months old.
 
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