My dog is healthy, but I feed less than recommended. Is that okay?

Do not worry at all and your old routine is perfect. Dog food bags always tell you to over feed because you go through it faster, therefore buy more food!! A general rule is 1/2 cup a day for a 10# dog. Treats and bones count also. So if his weight is healthy then ignore the bag and continue they way you normally do

No. If the dogs are at a good weight and body condition score, you are feeding them the appropriate amount of calories. When pets become overweight or underweight, that is a sign that something needs to change. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

The feeding recommendations are averages for all dogs. They can vary widely based on metabolism and energy level. Based on the picture you posted of Oliver, his weight looks perfect. If you are feeding him 1 cup twice daily, but his weight stays at 16-17 pounds and your vet says he is a good weight, then I wouldn't change anything. But I find that most dogs need less than the recommendation on the bag as they get older and their metabolism and activity decreases, so be sure to monitor his weight carefully. I hope that was helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If she is maintaining a healthy weight and growing steadily then I would not be concerned. Feeding guidelines are only an indication and are an average no t a requirement. If you vet determines she is healthy then I would continue to monitor her body condition score and growth

Good question. This is fine. The amount on the bag is just a guideline. What she is doing is perfect. I like them to be hungry at the meal and just leave a little. Then you know they are getting all they want and are not over or under feeding. As she grows she may not eat the mid day meal so that's when I cut back to twice a day feeding. As long as she's healthy and a normal weight this is nothing to be overly concerned about. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Piper.

Remember that all dogs are individuals just like humans. Some dogs have a fast metabolisms and others have slow metabolisms. If Chloe is maintaining her weight then that is the appropriate amount of food to feed her. The only other conditions that will cause pets to gain weight easily is endocrine diseases such as Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism. You may consider having her tested for those diseases since they will slow down her metabolism and caused her to gain weight easily. Otherwise you should continue to feed her the same amount of dog food. If Chloe is acting like she is starving or always hungry, you may try switching her to a lower calorie food so that she can eat a greater amount. If her lifestyle does change and she becomes more active, she will likely need to increase the amount of food. I hope this helps.

I wouldn’t necessarily deduct weight because of his hair. But I would base his feeding off of his ideal weight. So if he is a good body condition right now then basing his food quantity off of 16 pounds is a great place to start. But you are definitely correct, if he is not finishing all of his food and he is not underweight you may need to decrease the amount you are offering at each meal. Often the amount suggested on the bag is a little more than many dogs need, especially if they are not particularly active. Great job being so careful about Sky’s dietary needs!