DARYL N: What is the average amount of dry dog food to feed an adult German Shorthair Pointer?
I'm dog-sitting for two German Shorthair Pointers and they are both skin and bones. I don't feel that the amount of dry food they are giving them is nearly enough daily. So I'm looking for input on the proper amount. Thanks for your input.
Answers and Views:
Answer by bookmom
I have a Shorthair, and I hope my explanation will help you. I can't see the dogs in question, but I can tell you about GSPs.
Photo Credit: Rexness/Flickr CC
First off, a GSP is supposed to be a lean, muscular dog without a lot of extra padding. What looks normal on a lab or a golden retriever is NOT normal or healthy on a GSP. Extra weight can be harmful to their long-term health.
If these are hunting dogs, they will be even more lean-looking than a housepet GSP. These dogs are athletes and have been bred to go all day in the field. Picture a human marathon runner–lean and strong.
While adding extra food may seem like a good idea at first, it could have an immediate—and unfortunate—side effect for the dogs as over-feeding can lead to diarrhea.
Something which may also make you feel better:
Check the side of the dry dog food bag and see if what you are giving matches the bag. (FYI: Males range from about 55 to 70 pounds and a female ranges from 45 to 60 pounds.
If you are feeding a super high-quality food this may translate into just over 2 cups of food a day because the food is so nutrient and calorie-dense.
If you were feeding a food that had more fillers and was less nutrient-dense you might have to feed 4 or 5 cups of food for the same dog. You are feeding them more food with the second kibble, but they end up getting the same nutrition/calories.
Imagine eating a one-cup serving of a super-healthy lasagna made with veggies, meat, cheese, sauce and extra vitamins…you would feel more full after eating the lasagna and get more out of it than if you ate a one-cup serving of regular spaghetti with plain sauce, right?
I realize that 2 or 3 cups of food don't look like a lot of food to you or me, but it may be exactly what they need.
Double-check with the owners and make sure you are feeding them properly and how many times a day to feed…some folks split the feeding so the dogs have half in the am and half at night.
Still concerned? Are their eyes bright? Coats seem healthy/shiny? (although the coat may be a bit harsh to the touch which it is supposed to be) are they active? Run your hands over their neck, back, and ribs and there should be a slight layer of padding under your hands, but you should still be able to feel their ribs.
Answer by Miss Ginger is Fancy
If you can see their ribs through their thin coat, then yes, you have a reason to be concerned.
A good rule of thumb is to know how active the dogs are and what kind of kibble they are eating.
If they are highly active and get lots of exercise, as Pointers should, they should eat more than that of a lazy dog.
If they are eating something crappy like canned food or a brand like Pedigree or Purina, then yes they have to eat more of it because the ingredients are terrible.
But if they are fed something like Taste of the Wild or another super high-quality premium food, then they need less kibble because the value of nutrition is much higher.
Whatever the case, if you can see the ribs, you can easily give them up to a cup more of kibble per day to add some weight.
All of this is tricky though since you are only dog-sitting.
You ought to bring this up to the dog's owners for sure when you see them again.
Answer by Dog Lover
I'm always curious as to who and WHEN it was developed as healthy to feel the ribs.
I've never felt the ribs on any of my healthy dogs. Feels like this was developed centuries ago when perhaps that WAS normal - for work dogs and HUMANS. We have evolved into a society of plenty.
Leave the bowl and let your German Shorthair Pointers eat. If they look unhealthily thin- leave 4-5 cups of dry dog food at a time and see how they eat.
I have an extra-large pointer- according to the vet he's a healthy weight at 90lbs. He eats 3 cups in the morning and around 2 at 4:30-ish. 2 1/2 if we've played ball that day. And treats (3-4) during the day. (I actually make his dog food - it's GRAIN-FREE).
If you're dog-sitting for a period, the owners can always come back and starve the animals when they get back!! Just joking!!! I am sure they love those animals greatly. And as another poster said- they absolutely chose the right person to be their temporary caretaker. But, yes, I'd feed them more for sure!!
Answer by C-Rock
read the suggestions on the bag of food!
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