Okay, here’s my blog post about figuring out the right amount of food for my Rottweiler puppy:
So, I got this adorable Rottweiler pup a few months back, and let me tell you, figuring out the food situation was a whole thing! It wasn’t as simple as just dumping kibble in a bowl. I started by doing a ton of reading online – forums, breed-specific websites, you name it. Everyone seemed to have a different opinion, and it was honestly overwhelming.
My first step was checking the food bag. Duh, right? But even that was confusing. The feeding guidelines were in ranges, and my pup, obviously, kept growing! I picked a mid-range amount from the recommendation for his weight, and decided I’d just keep an eye on him.
Watching My Pup’s Body Condition
The vet told me it’s super important to monitor a puppy’s body condition, more so than just sticking to a strict number of cups. You should be able to feel their ribs, but not see them too prominently. It is what I kept hearing.
- Too skinny: If I could easily see his ribs and backbone, I knew I needed to up the food a bit.
- Too chubby: If I couldn’t feel his ribs at all, it was time to cut back a little.
- Just right: I could feel the ribs with a little bit of padding – that was the sweet spot!
I literally got down on the floor with him every few days and felt his ribs. My wife thought I was nuts, but hey, it worked! I also weighed him weekly, just to track his growth and make sure he was gaining steadily, but not too fast. That’s what I learned about large breed.
I also paid close attention to his, um, “output,” if you know what I mean. If things were consistently loose, I might have been overfeeding. Too firm, and he might need more. It’s not glamorous, but it’s part of being a responsible dog owner!
Eventually, I found a good rhythm. I adjusted his food portions gradually as he grew, always keeping an eye on his body condition and, well, his poop. It took some trial and error, but we got there! And It became my habit now.
My little rottweiler puppy grew up to be strong and healthy.
It’s not rocket science, but it does take some attention and common sense. Don’t just blindly follow the bag – watch your puppy, and you’ll figure it out!
