EM puppy weight and food intake

[Acarpen]

My new female EM weighed in at 16.3lbs a couple days ago (8weeks old) and she hasn't been eating the recommended amount of food according to the bag (2 cups instead of 4) I'm worried theirs either something wrong or she's going to be a "mini mastiff"

 

[Acarpen]

*there is

 

[Smart_Family]

I'm slightly confused. She's only eating 2 cups? What food are you feeding? 4 cups a day seems like a lot for an 8 week old mastiff and she's probably telling you that by only eating the 2.

 

[Robtouw]

Key word"New", how new is she to your home and lifestyle? Usually pups take several weeks to acclamate to the new environment. Also, look at the k/cup caloric content on the bag, the higher calories, higher protein foods make your pup feel fuller longer so it may be that she doesn't need the amt of food suggested on the bag. Each pup is different, the bag guidelines are just a beginning point, you must add/subtract food based on your pup's individual needs.

 

[kate02121]

How often are you feeding her? Our was eating 1 cup 3x a day at 8 weeks. Are you feeding her the same food the breeder fed her? If not, you may want to switch her to that food until you can gradually change her to the food you want to feed her.

 

[kate02121]

Ours was 15lbs at 8 weeks, she goes through weeks where she gains 3 lbs, and weeks where she gains 6lbs. I wouldn't worry about her being a mini-mastiff at this point. In general, mastiffs will eat what they need to eat, grow at their own pace (you actually WANT them to grow as slowly as possible while still being healthy. Slow growth is good for their bones and joints), and end up at the size they were intended to be regardless of how much they are eating now.

 

[Acarpen]

I got her on Friday the 5th. I'm looking for a new food but feeding the breeders food (diamond) I may be switching to anamae (sp?) she eats 2-3 times a day. She's becoming a "grazer" but it would like to put her on scheduled feedings.

 

[kate02121]

Hm, well sounds like you are doing the right things. I've read that you should put her food down, leave it there for 15-20 minutes then remove it, and that hungry pups will learn quickly that they need to eat at designated times. BUT I know I'd have a hard time doing that!

 

[DennasMom]

Ditto what Kate said.

We also had a 'grazer' with Denna. I'd put the measured breakfast down, and by lunch she'd have eaten most of it, so I'd add another cup... repeat at dinner. I think she was only eating 2-2.5 cups at that age (also started on Diamond, moved to Solid Gold Wolf Pup, but I know there are better kibbles out there, now). Our vet also recommended the "pickup after 20 minutes" routine... but we didn't do that, either. I prefer to keep food low-key, to avoid resource guarding issues later in life - although at this age, that shouldn't be an issue - especially when you only pick it up because they're not interested in it.

Eating less and slower is much better than the opposite! Give her some time to adjust to her new home and routine, don't worry about it, and she'll grow as she needs to.
It will be way too soon when she's too big to carry around, so enjoy it while you can!

 

[voidecho]

Also, over 16 lbs at 8 weeks isn't really small for a female Mastiff.

 

[Robtouw]

Friday the 5th wasn't that long ago, she is still acclamating to her new environment. Give her time and make sure she has a clearly defined and easy to locate place of her own. I am not a fan of giving a growing pup a time limit on eating, never have done it, never will. My dogs are treated as well as, if not better then most people! If she isn't eating, there is a reason, watch her body signals and figure it out.