Breeder underfed puppies

[Tuptuptup]

I came to realise that the breeder of our puppy used the puppy current weight rather than the expected adult weight when working out food requirements.

I was very careful to check 100% that puppy came from home breeder with prior experience of puppies (not first time due to Covid) and all health tests were carried out. However this major error on her part came to light when I collected puppy and she told me the amount to feed. A few days later I checked the packet myself and realised the error. So damage done already, I decided to feed correct amount and everything would be fine physically she would be ok. She was otherwise healthy and vet checked.

We have had puppy a number of weeks now and I am beginning to worry about the pschological effects of this under feeding. She seems permanently hungry and looking for food even though I am now probably giving her more than she needs. I am worried this could develop in to resource guarding. She eats super fast almost choking on her food and does look around nervously. No growling at us though.

Not really sure what to do. I am first time puppy owner and inexperienced in handling any complex issues. Feeling quite stressed about it.

I can't imagine that the breeder should have been feeding 300g a day to the puppy. That seems a massive amount. What she was feeding him is what I would expect tbh.

It's better to go by the condition of the dog than what's recommended by the manufacturers on the packet.

On the side of the wet food my small dog (5.5 kilo) is on it suggests giving a dog of her size 315g a day that's 3/4 of a tin, which is a ludicrous amount to feed a dog of her size.

I give her far, far less than that. She's happy and healthy with a beautiful healthy coat, and according to my vet in perfect condition as far as size and weigh is concerned.

Far too many pets are overweight; I suspect a good deal of that can be put down to people following the guidelines of the food manufacturers, rather than looking at the condition of their pets.

Ok, quite enlightening responses here. I thought everyone would tell me breeder was terrible !

@Tuptuptup

Ok, quite enlightening responses here. I thought everyone would tell me breeder was terrible !

TBH, the breeder might’ve been U but it’s hard to say when you are so evasive with your answers re breed and actual size and physical condition of your dog.

Eh? I said - border collie, vet checked and health tests done, seems healthy, no complaints from vets on weight.

Honestly for a Working breed you need to swap to raw. But I believe that all dogs should be on a raw diet. She is likely hungry because even the best kibble is awful nutrition, like you raising a baby on a powder milk shake and cereal diet.

Try nature's menu complete . Add in raw meaty bones. You will find that you have a totally different dog that is getting its nutritional needs met and is much happier.

I often wondered how easy it is to train with a raw diet? Can I still use daily food for training when out ?

You can use dried meat/jerky treats for training.

I am a dog breeder and honestly raw food is life changing for the animal. I've got 4 bitches of different breeds between a tiny breed and a giant. They all thrive on raw/barf food. They are in much better condition and once adults being fed once a day is much better for them. I feed fruit/veg once or twice a week and the rest of the time they are on a variety of meaty bones .... duck wings for the chihuahua and a whole carcass/marrowbone for the rotty. Then a mix of mince with offal etc. You can also buy complete mince which has everything in it including ground bone. You just add a bone for dental hygiene one or twice a week. A bit of cod liver oil, coconut oil etc for coat.

Natures menu complete mince is a god starting point. There are LOTS of fb groups etc to help you get started. Working breed dogs often need a much higher protein content to avoid getting soft bowl movements. You really do need a good firm stool to keep the anal gland's empty.

Poo from a raw fed dog is much smaller as they use much more of the food as nutrition. It's much less smelly and they go less often as it's real food and not filler.

Apologies, I totally missed the border collie post

If the dogs weight was alright when the vet checked it then I would say the breeder was feeding the right amount . I’ve never fed our terrier x the amount recommended on what he eats as he would be the size of a small house .

Thanks for the advice chiefbabysniffer I will look in to that.

I had no idea people treated the info on the packet with such suspicion. I just assumed it was fact.

We feed raw. (Not saying you should!) we used dehydrated liver etc for treats.
What are you using to worm? Are you sure you’re not muddled? You might treat monthly for fleas but not normally worms.

Nexgard spectra. I think it’s for worms, fleas and ticks. We have done monthly so far

I read something some time ago that said that the amount recommended on the packet/tin is roughly based on what would be appropriate for a young, intact highly active/working male dog.

As most dogs don't fit into that category, certainly not my small 10 year old, spayed female who has around 1 hour's walk a day with added play time, it's not appropriate for the vast majority of pet dogs.

Nexgard does most but not all worms.

I have never fed any of my dogs the recommended amount. My "puppy" is 8 months old. I give him roughly half and he is a perfect weight. Our other two have different food but a fraction of what they are supposed to have and the vet is really pleased with their condition. However when it is time for treats they act as though they haven't seen food for a week.

Do I need to rifle through her poo to check for worms? Would that confirm if she had any?

I think it’s tapeworm it doesn’t cover. Dogs are treated for that every 3-6 months.

I have never fed any of my dogs the recommended amount. My "puppy" is 8 months old. I give him roughly half and he is a perfect weight
Same here.

I reckon at least 2/3 of the dogs I see around are overweight.
Even if your breeder was under-feeding, your good socialisation around food should cancel that out.
I feed raw, my collie mix is a much steadier eater on raw than wet food & its much better for him.
I sometimes use sprats or cheese as a training treat, but also those bog standard wagg biscuits which are a quid a box. He loves them.

What’s on the packet is just a rough guide... and usually more than dogs actually need.

You’re fine to use it as a base amount and then work out whether she needs less, my last dog was on about half the guide amount, current one is on the top end of what it says.

This reassures me I am not under feeding my pup after all lol! She's def on less than recommended amount but rarely finishes what she has so she can't be starved!

Do you intend to work your border collie?

I would love her to occasionally leave some in the bowl!