How much does your small dog eat?

Our dog Charlie (a 2yo female terrier mix) is about 15 lbs. Last week we had some family members over and they said that she looked heavier then the last time they had seen her. I guess I just wasn't noticing because I see her every day, and her winter coat is coming in also so she's fuzzier then usual.

But I started paying attn to her eating habits and she is eating way more then she used to. I put a cup of food into her bowl when it is empty. It used to last her a few days because she would just nibble. Now I am filling it every 1-2 days, so that is more frequently.

I can definately cut it to 1/2 a cup. The vet did said to feed her every morning and leave it out for 30 minutes, then put it up high so that she learns to be fed when she is fed, and not graze all day, but we've never done that because when we first got her a year ago she barely ate at all, and so we thought we needed to leave it down for her all day.

Anyway, looking to see how much your dogs of similar size are eating every day. I am going to call the vet tomorrow and ask them for some recommendations.

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

Just thought I'd throw a picture of Charlie in here because I've never shared a pic of her and I think she is the cutest thing ever!

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Re: How much does your small dog eat?

Less than a bowlfull of dog food a day. Maybe they eat half a cup each?

I would look into his health, make sure he isn't becoming diabetic. That's my first concern if you say he is eating more. Hope he is ok and just a bit more hungry.

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

We did change her food from regular Iams to Iams naturals, because my sister bought a 40lb bag and her dog refused to eat it. She seemed to like the new food more, so I thought that was why she was eating more.

I didn't even think about something like diabetes!

I will call them in the AM and see what they say. She is due for her 6mo checkup in December but I will certainly bring her in early if they think she needs to be seen, and maybe they'll even let me just bring her in for a weight check.

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

I have a Cavalier (apprx 16lbs) and she gets 1/2cup in am and 1/2 cup in pm.

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

Marty is 5 1/2 months, just under 13 lbs. He eats about a cup a day. 1/2 in the am and 1/2 at night.

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

ginger is around 12lbs and I feed her 1/2 cup of hard food a day.

leo is around 11lbs but he is older and should be closer to 13lbs but its hard for him to eat ever since he had his front lower jaw removed. so with i say i give him almost two cups but its a combo of soft and hard food(that has been soaked in water since he cant have hard food) depending on the day he will eat all of it or not.

did any of that make sense

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

Chloe is a tad under 5 pounds and eats a small handful of dry food in the morning and again at night.

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

we have a chihuahua jack russel terrier mix and he weights 15 lbs.... he eats 1/2 a cup of food in the morning then 1/2 a cup again at night.

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

We have a Pomeranian and she is just about 5lbs. I feed her 1/4 cup of dry food and then I mix it with about 2 -3 tablespoons of wet food. She doesn't usually eat it all. I let her graze on it all day as well.

Re: How much does your small dog eat?

We have a small Shih Tzu she is one years old and weighs about 10 pounds. She eats about a half a cup of dry food mixed with 2 tablespoons of wet food. I leave the bowl down all day. She doesn't usually finish her food.