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
Aug 10, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pyrenees puppy
by: Carol R

We adopted our second pyramese puppy today. Her name is Suzy , she is 5 months old and weighs 44 pounds. She is beautiful and so sweet. Loves her big back yard and it's been cooler than normal today so she has spent most of her time outside exploring her new yard. Our last pyramese got bone cancer in her back leg and broke it twice within 3 weeks and we had to let her go over the rainbow Bridge. I cried 😢 like a baby. We loved her so much ❤️ She isn't being replaced, that's not possible. But we wanted to rescue another pyramese.

{Congratulations!

Consider a species-appropriate diet. Here is some information on it.}
Sep 17, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Today
by: Anonymous

We just adopted Ruby this morning she is 5 months old!

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.

Show / Hide
CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE

Breaking News

RSS

  1. Rest in Peace, my Happy

    Jun 24, 25 06:33 AM

    My wife and I needed to mail two letters, so on the cold, cold afternoon of Sunday, January 31, 2021 we got in the pickup and headed for Red Cloud, Nebraska.

    Read More

  2. My Current Pyr Meeka

    Jun 07, 25 04:21 PM

    My Pyrenees Meeka turned 14 this May!! I pray she has a few years left in her.

    Read More

  3. Courtesy Post - Willow

    Jun 06, 25 01:49 PM

    *ADOPTED* Willow has a new family where she works looking after her sheep. DOB: March 26th, 2022 Location: London Ontario Cross Pyr/Collie Obtained

    Read More

  4. Remi

    Jun 02, 25 02:36 PM

    * ADOPTED * From his family: Remi is AWESOME! We love him, he is settling in just fine. Location: Acton, Ontario DOB: February 2024 This sweet white

    Read More

  5. Lucy

    May 17, 25 12:39 PM

    *ADOPTED* DOB: January 3, 2024 Location: Acton, Ontario She will need a single-family home with a securely fenced yard of at least 5 feet. Her owner

    Read More

  6. Courtesy - Tux

    Apr 27, 25 08:30 AM

    *Unknown* DOB: December 3, 2022 Location: Mulmur, Ontario Breed: Pyr x Great Dane Single family home where he will be part of an active family. A

    Read More

  7. Courtesy - Bear

    Apr 09, 25 09:09 AM

    Bear DOB:  October 2018 Location:  Midland, Ontario Pyr/Maremma? mix Single family home with a large securely-fenced property or a hobby farm. Purchased/adopted

    Read More

  8. Grieving Dog

    Apr 04, 25 06:17 PM

    Background: I am seeking some feedback if anyone has had experience with bonded pairs. Thank you! We have been fortunate to love 2 x almost 10 year

    Read More