Puppy always hungry

[Ash2021]

Hi all looking for a bit of advice

I have a working cocker 14 weeks old - she came on beta puppy which she is still currently on, but she is looking for her next meal at least an hour and a half before it’s due.

She is still being fed 4 times a day - I have up’d the amount to slightly more than the guideline on the packet is

exercise is a 15 min walk in morning, play and training lunch time in garden, 15 min walk late afternoon and play in garden later on in the evening

suggestions welcomed

 

[JoanneF]

What's her body condition and growth like? Guidelines are only guidelines and if she is a busy puppy or has a fast metabolism, she might need more. Or, if you don't want to feed more of the dog food, you could give her something filling but not high in calories like raw carrot - either as something to chew on or grated into her food.

Or cooked veg?

 

[JudyN]

I think this is one of those things they grow out of - usually... to an extent With four meals a day, it is always 'nearly' the next meal time in her brain. Once she's down to one or two meals a day, this is not the case. And as she learns that pester power doesn't work, she will accept it more.

Having said that, 'Settle down, shhhhhhhh, it's not time' is still a regular refrain in our house.

 

[Ash2021]

What's her body condition and growth like? Guidelines are only guidelines and if she is a busy puppy or has a fast metabolism, she might need more. Or, if you don't want to feed more of the dog food, you could give her something filling but not high in calories like raw carrot - either as something to chew on or grated into her food.

Or cooked veg?

Thanks Joanne - i personally think she is a little too thin for a pup of her age. (no I can’t see her ribs etc and she has a defined waist)

thinking I might change her food to a better quality kibble. The brand I used for my other dogs

I will try the carrot. I haven’t given her any treats yet - I have been using her kibble for training etc. Must get some liver to make liver cake to freeze ready for the teenage stage

I think this is one of those things they grow out of - usually... to an extent With four meals a day, it is always 'nearly' the next meal time in her brain. Once she's down to one or two meals a day, this is not the case. And as she learns that pester power doesn't work, she will accept it more.

Having said that, 'Settle down, shhhhhhhh, it's not time' is still a regular refrain in our house.

Thanks Judy, even with my labs they were never this bad at this age and let’s face it labs are dustbins