Okay, so my Rottweiler puppy, Brutus, was a tiny little fur ball when I first got him. I remember thinking, “How much do I even feed this little guy?” I didn’t want to overfeed him, but I definitely didn’t want him going hungry either.
So, first, I grabbed the bag of puppy food I’d bought. I made sure it was specifically for large breed puppies because Rottweilers grow up to be big, strong dogs. The bag had a feeding chart, but honestly, it was a little confusing. It gave ranges based on age and weight, but Brutus was growing so fast, it felt like the chart was outdated every other week!
My Feeding Journey with Brutus
I started by measuring out the recommended amount for his age and weight, splitting it into three meals a day. Puppies need to eat more frequently than adult dogs, you know? I used a regular measuring cup from my kitchen – nothing fancy.
- Month 1-3: I stuck pretty close to the bag’s guidelines. It was about 1-2 cups total per day, divided into those three meals.
- Month 4-6: Brutus had a HUGE growth spurt. I increased his food gradually, watching his body condition. I’d read somewhere that you should be able to feel his ribs but not see them prominently. That was my guide. He was probably eating 3-4 cups a day by this point.
- Month 7-9: Things started to level out a bit. I was still adjusting the amount based on his activity level and how he looked. I also started mixing in a little bit of wet food sometimes, just to keep things interesting for him.
- Month 10-12: We reduced the meal down to twice per day. And kept the amount according to the suggestions from the vet.
I also talked to my vet during Brutus’s checkups. She helped me fine-tune things. She emphasized the importance of not letting him get overweight because that can cause joint problems later on, especially in big breeds like Rottweilers.
The biggest thing I learned? Pay attention to your puppy! Don’t just blindly follow a chart. Watch his body condition, his energy levels, and his, ahem, “output.” If he’s leaving food in his bowl, you might be feeding him too much. If he’s cleaning his bowl and acting like he’s still starving, you might need to give him a bit more. It’s all about finding that sweet spot!
It’s been a bit of trial and error, but now Brutus is a healthy, happy, and (not so little anymore) Rottweiler. And I feel pretty good knowing I’ve fueled his growth the right way.
