making the transition from puppy feeding schedule to adult

[ledhed]

Hello all,
Napoleon is coming up on 6 months old, and he is currently doing well on Canidae kibble, a touch more than a half cup, 3 times a day (Canidae recommends 1.5-2c per day for puppies 10-25#). He's around 15 pounds now, right on schedule according to the growth charts I've seen posted on this forum.

I have heard it suggested in these forums that the switch to adult food/feeding schedules be made earlier for frenchies than many food manufacturers suggest. Based on this, I'm considering taking Napoleon to the adult feeding schedule, with 2 feedings per day, in the morning and around dinner time. A couple of questions about this general point...

Is the recommendation to go to an adult feeding program directed specifically at switching from a "puppy" kibble to an adult formulation? Canidae is an all life stages kibble, so there will be no need to switch foods, but should I switch him to the adult feeding volume appropriate for his weight, or keep him on the recommended "puppy" serving per day? This would be a considerable decrease in the amount of food he is currently getting- the recommended adult serving is roughly half of what is recommended for puppies under 1 year. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to the dog in regards to 2 feedings per day vs 3? Finally, I'm not sure if the opinion that frenchies should go to an adult feeding regimen is all that widely held... (I think it is something that I've come across only once or twice).... if anyone would like to weigh in AGAINST that opinion, I'd like to hear what you have to say. Thanks.

JL.

PS- notice my new avatar (Napoleon taking a nap on my chest while I read and try to casually snap pictures of him).... finally figured out how to shrink my digital photos enough to use them here appicon ... I will try to get around to posting some other picks of his majesty in coming weeks.

[Martina]

I would like to say that I DID notice your avatar immediately! and I LOVE his look! He very much reminds me of my Lola, whom I adore, adore, adore :D

But as to your question ... I actually have Tigger on 2xs a day with Gigi and Lola (he' 5.5mo). I also just transitioned him to their food, too. He seems to be doing fine. Others will give you better info about guidelines, etc. I was a lot stricter and adhered to the guidelines with G & L much more than I'm doing with Tigger. I figure that if he's okay, then I'm okay. I will say, though, that he eats more now than he did before ... but he's bigger and more active. I let him dictate how much he wants to eat at a time. When he's finished, he stops.

I know that doesn't help much, but it's really all I do. Sometimes he eats 1/4 cup and other times he seems to eat 2cups ... I think it just depends on how 'busy' he's been that day. I have yet to have any over-eating problems that some people have. Then again, mine just get kibble - so I think they only eat what fills up their tummies, not for pleasure.

[adora's mom]

I feed Adora dry Canidae 2x's per day, about 1/3 cup each time. She's 7 months and about 24 lbs. I was feeding her 1/2 cup 2x's per day, but she was getting to be quite a chubster! I reduced her food when she was about 6 months.