How much do you feed your adult boxers...

Boxermomma · 02-20-2009, 08:24 PM

Hello everyone, I am sure this question has been asked time and again. I was recently told my boxer is over weight(Not knowing exactly her weight either) and I feeding her too much. This is what I use to do,,,, I would put 4 cups of food in a bowl for her and my two male chihuahuas once a dayand she got a tbsp of yogurt and vits with ester c and garlic/Yeast pills. I do believe she ate more than the chia boys did...

This is what I was told by a good friend of mine to do, She said a cup of food and cup of warm water in morning and then a cup of food and water in the afternoon. She has two adult boxers as well....

This is what I am doing now ...

1 cup of food (dog chow), 1 tbsp yogurt, her Vits with ester c &Garlic/yeast pills yes I know I should be feeding her a better food but the nearest petsmart is like an hr away. I am going to switch foods soon we have had a little finanical thing due to my husband being off work for a surgery)

Any advice as well will be welcomed....

KeeperBoy · 02-20-2009, 08:32 PM

Keepers eats 3 cups of kibble/day with about a cup of meat and cottage cheese with some veggies and supplements. He eats Wellness CORE kibble, they also have a reduced fat version. Our boston terrier was overweight for a time and we found replacing some of her kibble with veggies (green beans, carrots, anything we had on hand) helped her feel full without so many calories.

I would start with a high quality kibble, that way the dog isn't getting any fillers and junk. Then check the calories according to the bag and feed accordingly. Keep in mind the amounts on the bag are usually too high and so you should be able to cut that amount down a bit.

Ron · 02-21-2009, 09:07 AM

I feed Tie about 4 cups a day i would say. I don't measure it out any more thoug, i just scoop his bowl into the bag.

It may be the food he's on, a higher quality dog food has "better" calorie ratios

bruinsBoxers · 02-22-2009, 01:18 PM

Boxers are a slim breed . You should be able to see the tuck ( the area that would be the waist ) . easily when looking straight down at the dog . If there is no tuck then a boxer is considered overweight . Also being able to see the last rib is fine with a boxer .

KeeperBoy · 02-22-2009, 02:30 PM

Should you be able to see hips? Keepers ribs only show when he lays on his side but she has such boney hips.

jena · 02-22-2009, 05:04 PM

i just put a bowl of dry dog food down and it stays down all day and i just top it up when it needs doing and she doesnt have it down at night same with water would you say that it was a good idea or not

Ron · 02-22-2009, 05:06 PM

Tie would eat until he gets sick if i left his bowl full

jena · 02-22-2009, 05:20 PM

ive done it from when we got her at 7 weeks old so she doesnt pig it down she doesnt get meat apart from the odd bit of cooked chicken and fish plus oil and her raw hide bones plus treats sometimes and shes got a great coat

bruinsBoxers · 02-22-2009, 07:14 PM

Should you be able to see hips? Keepers ribs only show when he lays on his side but she has such boney hips

The hip bones should not be protruding . Sometimes you can notice smooth bumps where the hips are and that is ok but not hips that stick out .

Now during puppyhood is can be really hard to keep weight on some boxers . they go through some very awkward phases . At times they are all legs and seem way too skinny .

bruinsBoxers · 02-22-2009, 07:17 PM

i just put a bowl of dry dog food down and it stays down all day and i just top it up when it needs doing and she doesnt have it down at night same with water would you say that it was a good idea or not

In my opinion free-feeding is not a good idea . many dogs thay have access to food all day are picky as there is no need to eat a meal all at once .

Picking up food and water at night is o.k. , especially during house training .