When and How Much You Should Feed Your Sheltie Puppy
There are conflicting views on when a new Sheltie puppy owner should feed his or her new pup. There are two basic forms that are most commonly used in puppy feeding: free feeding and scheduled feeding.
Free feeding is when the owners leave dry food out for the pup all day long so the puppy can eat whenever he or she pleases. Scheduled feeding involves placing a food bowl out for the pup and then taking it away after a period of time , which usually is a 30 min. span. For the puppy stage most Shetland Sheepdog breeders recommend the scheduled feedings. This is an easy way to allow your Sheltie puppy frequent smaller meals which help to control how frequently the puppy will need to go outside for bathroom use and also helps to control weight gain.
The most common mistake new owners make is allowing the Shetland Sheepdog puppy to eat all day long whenever he or she pleases. This may seem like a thoughtful idea but really you are not putting any discipline on the pup and its eating habits. During the early stage of housebreaking this feeding schedule will also become a wonderful tool. You can essentially control when the Sheltie puppy eliminates or not.
As your Sheltie puppy ages or if there are any digestion or finicky eating issues, you may want to adjust this schedule to meet the needs of your dog. Your vet will be able to give you tips and alternate feeding methods if needed.
The exact amount of food you should allow your Shetland Sheepdog to eat at one sitting will be labeled on your bag of premium dog food. If you have any questions concerning the amount or what form of feeding schedule to use, it is always best to consult your veterinarian.
