puppy food intake

I have not owned a great Pyrenees prior to the new pup, Violet, we have just purchased, but I am ready for the challenge. She is barely 8 weeks old. Owning her only a few days now, she has become very comfortable with our family. I have read on other websites of specific amounts of food to consume at her age (1/2 cups, three times daily). She will consume 3/4 to 1 cup per meal. My concern is that she is interested in eating more than the 1/2 cup per meal. I understand different breeds have different needs. I want her to receive the proper nutrition she needs to become "The Great Pyrenees". She will become uninterested in food if she is not hungry anymore.
My question is... Should I let my puppy eat as much as she wants? With measuring the intake, of course. or should I stick to the 1/2 cups three times daily?

I do not want her to eat in excess of her needs causing problems down the road.

Comments for puppy food intake

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 20, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		appetites
by: Mary

We also wrestled with this issue with our pup, and he also is our first Pyr. Pay careful attention to a few signs that your pup will give you. Losing weight, a sure sign she needs more. As is her searching for more after she's eaten all her food. If she gulps her food because she's hungry she may swallow a lot of air. So heavier meals may cause a serious problem known as "bloat" (air+bulk=belly pain) This is a potential with Pyrs. Small meals more often worked well for our pup. We fed 6 small meals/day at 1 1/2 cups until he was 4 mos. old. Same with water. Provide fresh and in small amounts so she cannot overload. Now 6 mos old, our pup receives 3 meals/day of 2 cups kibble. Do feed the best puppy food you can afford. But avoid "large breed" puppy food, as that can cause too rapid growth. Keep checking body condition with the hands (a pleasure)...you should find a nice layer of flesh over her bones, without the bones being prominent. Rest before and after meals is a good practise. Good luck and enjoy your lovely Violet (nice name, by the way).
Feb 23, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Puppy Food Intake
by: Sandra

Pyr Puppies grow a lot and need good food in order to develop properly. Pyrs also tend to eat only when they are hungry and normally will not overeat. I always had food down 24/7 (still do) and I found my dogs ate about 4 cups a day - usually eating 4 times a day (breakfast,lunch, dinner and midnight snack). However, when they were going through a growth spurt, they were hungrier and would increase from 4 to 6 then up to 8 cups and once or twice for a day or two, 12 cups. Then go back down to 4. You literally could see them grow as they were eating. They would usually only eat the larger amounts for a day or two and the go back down the same way.

Eventually, they would still eat 4 cups a day, but cutting out one meal and then another meal. However, they all still snacked - it is funny to see them eat a mouthful of kibble and then walk away as if to say I am now full.

Violet will let you know if she is hungry especially when growing as she will look for more food.

Good luck with her and enjoy her

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Great Pyrenees Questions.

CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE


Breaking News

RSS

  1. Kane

    Aug 14, 19 12:46 PM

    DOB: October 3, 2016 Kane came in with Marley. He is three-years-old and a real sweetheart. He is used to being outdoors but has lived inside. If there

    Read More

  2. Lancelot (A.K.A. Lanny)

    Aug 07, 19 08:15 AM

    Lancelot or Lanny is a beautiful 8.5 year old Great Pyrenees neutered male. He is located in Burlington, Ontario. Lanny has a very sweet disposition.

    Read More

  3. Thunder - Courtesy Posting

    Jul 29, 19 11:19 AM

    * COURTESY POSTING * Due to an event in his family, Thunder is in a home temporarily until a new home can be found. This big white fluffy, Thunder, does

    Read More

  4. Crate Training

    Jul 29, 19 07:26 AM

    She goes crazy when I put her in a crest biting gate. Pulling with her huge toe nails and really fighting to get out. What do I do to get her to get relaxed

    Read More

  5. Dozer

    Jul 24, 19 06:57 PM

    * NOT YET AVAILABLE * Working Dog DOB:December 12, 2013 (6-years-old) Neutered From his family: Dozer is a black fluffy we acquired as a pup (the only

    Read More

  6. Marley

    Jul 19, 19 05:16 AM

    *In Foster-to-Adopt* Four-year-old Marley came in with Kane. She has some health issues including epilepsy and allergies. Here is information on epilepsy.

    Read More

  7. Aggression

    Jul 08, 19 10:26 AM

    After my son researched the anatolian/pyrenees mix he approved of my buying a pup for their little family which consists of my son, my daughter in law

    Read More

  8. Grooming / Bathing

    Jul 03, 19 08:04 AM

    I have a Great Pyrenees by the name Momo and when I give her a bath she would stay clean about 4 days and get right back dirty again.... And it’s summer

    Read More