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Mastiff Feeding For the first 6 months, we want you to feed your puppy Nutro Natural Choice Puppy (chicken meal, rice & oatmeal formula). After 6 months, we want you to switch to an ADULT food. Preferably a Nutro brand or another good quality Adult, dry dog food (kibble) such as Eagle Pack, Diamond, or Back to Basics, you may. Feed the Adult Dog or Maintenance Series. DO NOT FEED THE PUPPY FORMULA, as it is too high in protein. Giant breed dogs, including Mastiffs, need to grow slowly and the adult dog food formulas have the correct protein balance (approximately 21% - 23%) required by the puppies. When you first pick up your puppy, it should be fed three (3-4) times a day, approximately ¾ to 1 cup per feeding. You must add a small amount of lukewarm water to the kibble, stir, and let soak for a few minutes before feeding. This allows the dry kibble to expand slightly in the dish instead of it the puppy’s stomach.
Gradually increase the amount of food based on your puppy’s appetite and appearance (refer to the chart below). Mastiff Puppies should be kept on the lean side to ensure a slow, proper bone growth. You should be able to see a hint of the last couple of ribs on your puppy, but no hipbones. Your puppy should not have swollen wrist joints, sloppy feet, or be extremely high in the rear. These signs and/or occasional limping may mean the puppy is growing too fast, and you should cut back on its food intake. In general, you cannot hurt your puppy by keeping it slightly lean, however you can certainly hurt it orthopedically by overfeeding or by feeding a non-recommended food. This chart will provide a guideline for feeding:
Months : 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Cups Per Day : 2 to 4, 3 to 5, 4 to 6, 5 to 7, 6 to 8, 7 to 9, 8 to 10 and 9 to 11
This chart is based on a moderate calorie and protein level food, such as Diamond, and assumes that the dog may be crated or less active during the day while the owner is at work. Using these guidelines will help to prevent growth diseases. The most sensitive time for growth is from 3-6 months. This is only a general guideline so that your puppy does not consume too many calories or get too much protein before six months of age, which can disrupt its growth pattern, causing accelerated growth and potential bone problems. Visually inspect your puppy as described above. If he is too lean, try feeding one more cup per day. When your puppy is about six months old, you may reduce the number of feedings to twice a day. It should be kept at four then to three feedings a day until then. Young adult males may eat as much as 12 to 14 cups per day until they mature. If this occurs, you may want to switch to a higher protein food, for example 25% protein, 15% fat to and reduce their food intake, so that they need to process less food. Again, please call us if you have questions.
At maturity, bitches may eat approximately 6 to 8 cups per day, and mature males approximately 7 to 10 cups per day. Older dogs may drop to about 5 to 6 cups per day. Older dogs and growing puppies should never be placed on a low protein diet. This should be done only due to a specific disease and upon the advice of your veterinarian. You should normally adjust the amount of food rather than switch to a lower (or higher) protein level diet. Except for occasional special treats or for training purposes, it is best not to feed table scraps, or anything other than dry food, to your puppy or it may become a finicky eater. At mealtime, if your puppy has not eaten within about 15 minutes, remove the food and try again at the next feeding time. They will not starve, and you do not want to get into the habit of begging your puppy to eat. Do not let them linger or be distracted at feeding time. If they don’t eat right away, they are either simply not hungry, or something may be wrong. Monitoring their food intake is an excellent way of telling when they are not feeling well. Young females will often go off their feed during hormonal changes, as will young males.
Force feeding is extremely stressful on your puppy (or older dog), and does not allow for the hydrochloric acids and digestive juices to kick in to aid proper digestion. Stress can also be a trigger for bloat, which is something you want to avoid at all costs. Do not allow lots of running around or exercise for about 1 to 2 hours after feeding. This will aid in digestion. When you do feed treats, make them small. Break a milkbone into several pieces instead of feeding 5 a day. You can also use carrots, a slice of apple, and berries as treats. Do not feed grapes as they may damage a dog’s kidneys.
Always keep lots of fresh water available both inside and outside so that your puppy knows there is water always around. This will help him to not over-consume; worried that it won’t be there the next time. Do not withhold water to help housebreak your dog! Don’t let them drink too much at one time however. If they have been running around, and start drinking, monitor them. Give them just a little, and when they have calmed down they can have some more. Use common sense. You may want to take away any water from the crate at night when they are sleeping so that they don’t spill it accidentally. But during the day, always have water available - clean, fresh, non-slobber water.
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