Feeding guide

Question
I have a new baby Shih Tzu I rescued a couple months ago...
She will be turning 8 months old on Oct. 11th, and currently weighs 5.8 pounds....
I have no clue on how much to feed her to enable she is receiving the proper daily value of nutrients.
Currently I have her on Nature's Variety Salmon and Brown Rice Kibble ( feeding 1/8 dry cup - 3 times per day = 2/3 cup daily +  biscuit treats)....she also receives a 1/2 pump of special dog formulated Omega 3 oil, and she has been treated recently for Giardia, Gastric Ulcers and an umbilical hernia..
So she just finished a 10 day treatment of Panacur and some probitoics prescribed by her vet..
However, I do not like to go with the label feeding guide on the package of the kibble, as it basically states same amount for an average weight...
I have a 12.5 pound, 2 year old Shih Tzu who is currently receiving approx. 245 calories a day ( 1/2 cup of the NV Salomon Kibble) in food and treats, as she was starting to put on unwanted / unhealthy weight.
We do not have THAT GREAT of an active lifestyle, so I know the minimum amount of food is only needed.
If you could help balance out an average amount of the food to feed my 8 month old, 5 pound shih Tzu, It would be greatly appreciated!

Answer

Hi Victoria,

If you don't want to follow the guidelines on the package cut back on the amount of food you're feeding your puppy. It's as simple as that.

The guidelines on the package isn't taking into consideration the extra treats and Omega fatty acids (which are extra calories, as any fat would be) you are giving your dog. You might need to experiment, and work out the perfect amount of food your dog needs, but it's easy enough to do. If you're currently feeding her 1/2 cup, try cutting back to about 1/3 of a cup. You could also cut out the treats you're giving and instead, give your dog either a couple of baby carrots, an apple wedge (no seeds!), or banana slices. Most dogs really love these as treats, and they're non-fat. Don't over-do these healthy snacks, as they can cause diarrhea if your dog isn't used to them. It's best to start out with just a little, until you know how your dog tolerates them.

If your dog is gaining weight, it is also very helpful to give her a little extra exercise each day. If you increase her exercise, you may not need to cut back on her food.

Another option might be to switch to a lower fat food. California Natural Herring & Sweet Potato, and Wellness Simple Solutions Salmon and Rice are two brands to consider. If you're interested, you can read about these two foods here:

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_wellness_simple_food_solutions_salmon.html

http://www.californianaturalpet.com/products/default.asp?panel=in&id=1326

If you decide on changing your dog's diet, do so gradually over a period of 5-7 days. Dogs can't tolerate an abrupt change of diet.


Best of luck,
Patti