How much should an adult dog eat?

clearancer

I am looking after my neighbours male dog while she is in Australia for 4 weeks (emergency, her daughter is dying). The dog weighs 11kg, is neutered, crossbreed, 8 years old. He didn’t eat at all for the first 48 hours I had him. I messaged neighbour and she said it’s the first time he’s been away from her and he’s just fretting. 

 Dog is eating half the daily serving listed on the dog food package (Forthglade 140-240 g, he’s eating 70g). Otherwise he seems ok. 

Am I worried about nothing? My dog passed away 2 years ago and I’ve done a bit of (free) dog walking and dog sitting since. They’ve all been ravenous at meal times!!! 

sheramber

I have never fed the amount recommended on the packet. One of my club members did and her dog became  grossly overweight.

the recommended amount is 2-3 % of the  expected normal weight of the dog. if the dog puts on weight, cut back the amount. If the dog loses weight then increase slightly.

Like humans dogs have different metabolism.

they have different exercise levels.

I had two golden retrievers- one was 20 kg and one was 35 kgs.

The 20 kg one ate twice as much a the 35kg one, but she was still slender. She  was much more energetic than the bigger one.

If the dog is being sensible and only eating what he needs then only feed him what he is eating.

 if he starts to lose weight them you can introduce another small meals he may be  only eat so much at a time.

elsien

I don’t  take much notice of the information on the packet either. Mine has  kibble topped up with whatever I’m cooking to make it more interesting.
 I look at his waistline - if he hasn’t got one I cut  the food down; if he’s looking a bit too urnlike or chasing his bowl round the floor I increase it.
An active day he’ll eat lots, some days he hardly eats anything at all.
I am one of the “he”ll eat when he’s hungry” brigade and none of mine have starved yet.

clearancer

Thanks for the reassurance. 

SensibleSarah

Totally back up what the others have said. According to the feeding guide, I'm feeding my two dogs about half of what they should have every day - that's total nonsense as their body condition is great as it is. If the dog you're looking after is eating something every day, drinking, going to the loo normally and seems to have energy and be alert then don't worry too much. 

lordmountararat

One vet told me some time ago that pet food manufacturers commonly exaggerate the size of the portions so they can sell more of their product. I feed my dog about half the recommended amount, and she is slightly over weight!

Murphybear

elsien said:

I don’t  take much notice of the information on the packet either. Mine has  kibble topped up with whatever I’m cooking to make it more interesting.
 I look at his waistline - if he hasn’t got one I cut  the food down; if he’s looking a bit too urnlike or chasing his bowl round the floor I increase it.
An active day he’ll eat lots, some days he hardly eats anything at all.
I am one of the “he”ll eat when he’s hungry” brigade and none of mine have starved yet.

I have only had cats but the advice on the food packets is probably just as ludicrous.  If I’d given my last cat the recommended amount I would have been broke and she would have been fat.   . Pet food manufacturers are there to sell as much as possible