Feeding Guide: Am I Feeding My Dog Too Much or not enough?
Okay, so the other day, I started wondering if I was overfeeding my furry buddy, Max. He's a golden retriever, and honestly, he'd eat anything you put in front of him. So, I started my little investigation.
Figuring Out the Baseline
First, I checked the back of his dog food bag. You know, the feeding guidelines? It's all based on weight, but honestly, it felt a little... generic. Max is pretty active, we go for runs and play fetch, so I figured he might need a bit more than the "average" dog.
The Rib Check
Then, I remembered something I read online – the rib check. Basically, you should be able to feel your dog's ribs without pressing too hard, but they shouldn't be sticking out like crazy. So, I gave Max a good pat-down. I could feel his ribs, but there was definitely a layer of, uh, "padding" there.
Watching His Shape
Next, I started paying more attention to his overall shape. Does he have a waist? When you look at him from above, is he kind of hourglass-shaped, or more like a sausage? Max was looking a bit... sausage-y. Not gonna lie.
The Poop Scoop (Literally)
Okay, this part is a bit gross, but it's important! I started paying closer attention to his, um, "output." If it's consistently loose, that could be a sign of overfeeding. Max's was... well, let's just say it wasn't always the firmest.
Adjusting the Portions
So, based on all of that, I decided to cut back on his food just a little bit. I reduced his portions by about a quarter of a cup per meal. I also made sure to be extra strict about treats. No more sneaky table scraps!
The Results
It's been a couple of weeks now, and I'm seeing some positive changes. Max seems to have a bit more energy, and his, ahem, "output" is definitely more consistent. He's also looking a little less like a sausage and more like a dog with a waist. I'm still doing the rib check regularly, and it feels like we're getting closer to that ideal balance.
It's a work in progress, but I feel good about the adjustments I've made. It's all about finding that sweet spot where your dog is getting enough fuel for their activity level, but not packing on extra pounds.
