I've grown up with dogs all my life but I've not had one in the three years since I left home. In a week I get a rather large female cocker pup, and I realize- how much do i feed her? It sounds ridiculous but I don't want to underfeed her or cause her to be overweight as I know that cockers are absolute pigs. I don't trust the packet guide lines because I know they usually encourage over feeding. I have no point of reference to go on because at the moment they're being fed on scraps of game, not something intend to feed her. Any help would be appreciated, also tips on what is good to feed them but not too expensive. Thanks

I used to have a lab/cocker cross. I fed him 2 times a day with pedigree mixed with a dried food. He did really well on that food!

Hope that helps!!!

Im still feeding my 15wk old westie puppy 4 times a day cutting down at 16 wks to 3 times a day then twice a day at 6 months. but sorry cant help with quantity for your breed

You should be able to find out from the breeder what food the dog is on already, as any sudden changes will cause stomach upset.  They will also be able to tell you how much she is on already and how often she is fed as well so you can just carry on with what is already happening.

I know that when I got my Cavalier, I was given a sheet by the breeder with details of everything, and how much he was fed and how to reduce the feeds.  So all I had to do was weigh it out four times a day to begin with, he was already fed on James Wellbeloved puppy, so I just got a big bag of that. 

Hope that helps a bit.

> I have no point of reference to go on because at the moment they're being fed on scraps of game, not something intend to feed her.

Is this raw food?  If your pup is used to this then it's really worth considering, particularly if it's what the breeder recommends.  It doesn't have to be game as there are plenty of other options.  Come back with more questions as there are a lot of raw feeders on here that can advise you.

> I don't trust the packet guide lines because I know they usually encourage over feeding.

Probably better to over feed for a week or two than underfeed.   You'll then get a feel for how much your pup needs and you can adjust it easily enough.  It's well worth weighing kibble as it can be difficult to guestimate and you'll usually only need to adjust by a few grammes here and there. Re packet guidelines I have one dog than generally needed more than advised and another that needed less!!

I was impressed by all the help I got from Arden Grange when I needed to change food (our previous food became difficult to source).  They sent samples so I could find something my boys liked.  AG and other companies are usually cheaper to buy online.

As previously said your breeder should give you all the information on what she has been fed - how many times a day and in what quantities. Every dog is different but we always go on what they look like as well as what manufacturer quantities say as to how fat/thin they are. Just ensure you always increase food gradually across all the meals not just one - giving too much food can unsettle a puppies tummy.

We feed/rear all our Cockers on Challenge Salmon & Rice puppy moving on to Challenge Salmon & Potato as adults. They do really really well on it both for general condition and coat, website is www.challengedogfood.com and for the ingredients it is very reasonably priced. Liked it so much we are now a pick up point for it!

Good luck with your new addition!

Alex

Thanks for all the tips! I will have a look at some of the raw foods and then move onto packet food gradually. I suppose it would be better to have to cut back and slim the puppy down than to make her really skinny. Thanks for everything