NO ACTIVITY: The concern here is that the amount fed that maintains ideal weight may not be enough to keep the dog feeling full, so begging may ensue. Displace this behavior with chew toys, walks and other activity.  If the diet is fed at a level that supports ideal weight, most pets will adapt to it in time.  The main time of begging tends to be right after feeding before the dog's brain has had time to realize it's stomach has been fed.  Another technique to use in the case of begging is to feed the day's allotted portion in more frequent meals. This, with behavior displacement, is often successful at reducing begging.

AVERAGE ACTIVITY: Per feeding guide, adjusted to the amount that maintains ideal weight.

HIGH ACTIVITY: As much as the dog will eat without gaining weight. Stool volume will go up.

LACTATION: Trained judgment call. Keep in mind that in as early as three weeks, the puppies may be consuming some of mom's food.

PUPPY (large and small): A pet owner may not always know how big a dog will be.  Someone who bought a purebred has a better indication; however, knowing the mother's size is not full proof either.  Puppies should be fed frequent small meals.  There is far more danger from over feeding than under feeding.  If bone and stature appear to be increasing properly, a leaner body condition is much preferred to a butter ball physique. Dogs are growing for 18 months, with small breeds reaching adult metabolism a little sooner.

Attention pure breed handlers: Please consult your dog’s breeder for recommended feeding portions based on specific breed type, blood line and expected growth pattern /size, compared to our “average” recommended portions shown below.