How much food should I be feeding my large dogs every day?

I have two smooth collies and I've always had food available for them and now they're about 10 pounds overweight. Should I be feeding them about 4 cups of dog food a day? I threw the bag away so I can't read the directions but I'm buying them different kinds of dog food all of the time.|||4 cups may be a little high. If you are going from free feeding, I would start with 2 meals each of 1 1/2 cups. Watch their weight. You want to see a slow loss and level off when they reach their ideal body condition. Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/R鈥?/a>





I would pick a food and stick to it. If they have digestive problems sometimes, it could be from changing food. There are those that think it is best to change. Others, in a position to know more, have excellent results sticking to the same food the dog's whole life.|||Try staying on one specific brand of food. If you keep changing it, it could upset their stomach.

Because they are over weight, buy dog food specifically made for overweight dogs. When they lose the unnecessary 10 pounds, you can switch to regular. On the side of the bag, it should tell you what the recommended amount of food would be. All food is different so I wouldn't be able to tell you specifically how much you should be feeding your dogs. It also depends on how heavy they are. If they are adults, you should be feeding them 2 times a day.|||Did your vet tell you your dogs are overweight? Do they look that way to you? Run your hands along their ribs, If you cannot feel their ribs they are overweight, sometimes long haired dogs look heavier this time of year because their coat is so full. If your dogs are overweight try giving them a can of green beans before they eat their dog food they have so few calories and makes them feel full. Try and find one type of food and stick to it as not to confuse the dogs. Good luck|||Go online and look for the brand you are feeding and find their feeding instructions.



Different types of food have different recommendations.



If they are 10lbs overweight, then you need to start exercising them more and feeding them according to the package. If they still don't lose the weight, then you start increasing exercise and decreasing food.|||When I was still feeding kibble, I only gave my Golden (around the same weight range and activity level) 2 2/3 cups daily. The amount does depend on meat content, activity level, etc., but 4 cups is just too much. Always feed a little less than the recommended servings on the back of the bag.|||i open feed my dogs so they can eat whenever they feel like it..... i find that much eaiser!!