My 7-month-old Black Lab is always hungry. Is it a puppy thing?

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like this is a repeat question, but in case you didn't see the previous answer, I'll re-post it here: At Maverick's young age, it's best to do 3-4 smaller feedings a day rather than one or two big meals. Every dog will be a little bit different in terms of nutritional demands, based on their metabolism and activity level, and every food is a little different in its calorie content. So, start with what the bag recommends for his size, and adjust it as needed according to what his body shape is doing. You want to be able to easily feel his ribs without seeing them. I would anticipate with Maverick's age and size he should be getting somewhere around 1.5 cups daily total, divided into 3-4 small meals (so, about 3 meals of 1/2 cup each could be a good starting point - but make sure this sounds consistent with the feeding instructions on that bag, since as discussed every food is a little different). Maverick should be getting his puppy vaccines every 3-4 weeks now until hes 16 weeks old, so your vet can help you evaluate his feeding amount next time they see him. It is normal for many dogs (especially labs!) to be very enthusiastic about food and to scarf it down very quickly. Left to their own devices, many dogs will eat themselves to sickness, so you cannot take is enthusiasm for eating as a sign that he needs more. Rather, adjust his food based on how his body shape is responding to his current feeding regimen. Make sure you're feeding him a high quality puppy food (it should be labeled for puppies, not "all life stages" or adults). Hope this helps!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Puppies need more calories and vitamins/minerals than adult dogs do help them grow appropriately. Whatever brand of food you choose, it is important to keep them on a puppy formula diet specifically until they are about a year old. After that, it is okay to transition to an adult brand formula. It is ok if your puppy watches you while you eat as long as he doesn't whine or beg for food. To help decrease any begging behavior at the dinner table, you can feed Snoopy his own food at the same time you eat so he is distracted with his own food and never feed him food from the table as this may encourage bad begging behavior! I hope this helps and thanks for your post.

Labradors are large breed dogs and thus they should eat a large breed puppy food to help correct growth and development. The large breed puppy formula will make sure growth is slow and consistent which is best for development. Large breed dogs are prone to a variety of growth abnormalities and the appropriate diet helps to prevent them. Additionally, most veterinarians do not recommend grain free diets. The research is not fully complete but there appears to be a link between grain free diets and heart disease. Not every pet who eats a grain free diet will develop heart disease but more dogs do on these diets than dogs who eat grains. There is likely a genetic predisposition that the diet affects. I recommend to change your food to a commercial diet that is formulated for large breed puppies. I recommend the brand Royal Canin. They even have a formula for Labrador puppies. This diet is easy to digest and is formulated for appropriate growth. This diet is complete and balanced and you do not supplement protein or vitamins/minerals. It is also important to make sure that Pom is dewormed appropriately as parasites will cause dogs to be thin. He will gain the weight once he is on an appropriate diet and eating the correct amounts. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would be sure he is on a good quality large breed puppy food. I like Purina Proplan or the Royal Canin or Hill's Science diet puppy foods. Feed him more than the recommended amount on the bag. At 11 weeks old he should be seeing your Vet for vaccinations. Be sure he has had his stool tested for intestinal parasites and has been dewormed a few times. Parasites are a huge issues in all puppies. Good luck!

A Labrador puppy should be on a large breed puppy food until 15months. A starter food can be used from 2-8weeks as it can be easier to soften and can be fed slightly warm. Be sure to keep up to date with deworming medication and offer additional meals of scrambled egg, canned puppy food or boiled chicken to increase energy intake until stronger

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! 3/8 of a cup twice daily for a growing labrador sounds a little under the calories he should be getting daily. He should be consuming closer to 2 cups of the royal canin maxi food daily. Chicken stew and rice are not good sources of nutrients for a growing dog and should not replace eating his regular puppy food and should be discontinued. Just feeding more of his puppy food will help him grow and put on healthy weight. Thanks again for posting!

Hi there and thanks for your question! This all depends on his weight and age. To make a estimate, I would need his exact weight, but in this case I'll estimate given his picture at around 40lbs. If you request a consult with me, we can over this accurate weight so the calculations I have below will be more accurate. RER (resting energy requirement) would be around 611 calories/day but since he is a puppy, he needs roughly 2-3 X this amount, so between 1222 calories and 1835 calories a day. Calories are listed on the back on the food packaging label- they are usually displayed as x amount of calories/ cup or can of food. Hope this helps!