How much do your dogs eat?

[mama24]

I got a 1.5 year old Karakachan great Pyrenees mix earlier this week. He's a big baby and I love him, but I'm a little worried that he isn't eating. I try to feed him twice a day, but he eats a few bites and lets the goats or chickens finish the rest. I started adding goat milk or canned dog food to at least discourage the stupid goats, but nothing deters the chickens. How much should he be eating? I'm not sure how much he weighs. Somewhere around 100 lbs, maybe a little less would be my guess. I don't think he's eaten more than 1-2 cups of dog food in a day since we got him. He's still a little unsure, but getting comfortable. I can already tell he loves me and my children and today, he came to visit with us when we went out in the pasture, but after a few minutes went on to find a shady spot where he could watch the people and the goats both. He's a good one.

 

[Fluffygal]

My Pyrenees puppy gets 1 cup of Puppy Chow in the morning before I go to work and she gets 1 cup in the evening. She just turned 10 weeks.
What ever she does not eat is given to the chickies. This is maybe a bite left cus she pretty much cleans up.

Mine is still growing so I expect to adjust her amount as needed. I go by the 30 minute rule, which is they will normally eat their fill in 30 mins after that the extra food is just that extra that they did not need. I like spliting up the feeding times. If I was home I would divide her feedings into 3 meals until she was a bit older as puppies need their nutrition for growing.

 

[Southern by choice]

Mature LGD's do not usually eat a lot of food and often skip days. Much like their ancestors. Dogs at one time ate only what they could catch so they didn't eat everyday. We are in NC, in the heat our dogs eat far less than they do in winter. They do not need the fat and to put on weight. Summer, dogs naturally get thinner because of the reduced feed intake.

LGD's are a strange group... I have heard of some people whose dogs woof down their food, that really is the exception. Many LGD's will eat what they want and then walk away. Goats and chickens seem to like kibble and will often finish off the food. Other LGD's are highly possessive of food.

Since your new boy is still adjusting it may take a few days to figure out his feed.

We feed kibble and raw diet. Our raw consists of chicken, turkey, goat, deer. Whatever we have excess of. They do not get raw everyday... more like they would in the wild... every few days, with kibble everyday. My 130 lb 1.5 yr pyr is only eating 3 cups a day right now with the heat. My F pyr didn't even eat her raw chicken the other night, neither did our GSD or farmdog.

I can tell they will eat a lot in the morning though, as tonight there is great activity out there. Lots of barking and going nuts. All 4 lgd's , the GSD, and the farmdog are going nuts tonight. They will use alot of energy and the temps will go down to 59, cool. They will be hungry. We have fresh slaughtered chicken for them. WOOHOO!

 

[woodsie]

My female is Pyr is probably around 85-90 lbs and eats about 2-3 cups a day but in the heat they really slow down and then the appetite decreases too. She is fairly active because she is goofing around with my male Pyr but I can see her only eating 2 cups a day if she was by herself and lounging around the pasture. The stress of a new home also would make a difference and decrease appetite...my male Pyr refused to eat when I put his buddy in the other pen, started eating again as soon as I reunited the two lovebirds. You will also probably find he will eat more in the cooler weather.

Give him a week or two to settle in and adjust before getting too concerned. I would just make sure he isn't losing too much weight or going off food altogether.

Oh and where's the pics? You know we need to see pics of all new LGD additions...well, pretty much any new additions.

 

[mama24]

Thanks! You've made me feel much better! I'll post pics as soon as I get on t the computer. Can't do it from my phone. I have to fight a pack of wolves to get computer access these days. Lol

 

[Southern by choice]

Oh Boy do I get that... we wait in line!

I just saw you are in the Piedmont Region. Me too!

Don't you have Kiko's?

 

[mama24]

Yes! My does are dairy mixes, except for 1 75% Kiko. I take my girls except for her to get bred by my friend's Kiko buck every fall. Kikos are pretty awesome. I'm just outside of Greensboro near Pleasant Garden.

 

[mama24]

 

[Southern by choice]

you aren't to far from us!

.... hate to bring this up... but you did promise us pics.

could tell you had human kids... yes it says so in your signature, but the Momo kitty gave it away completely!

 

[Southern by choice]

Ha. You were putting up the pics while I was posting!

He looks great!!!!!!!!!!

Love that face! teeth are gorgeous!

What on earth was he snarling about?