This week’s note from Moe’s Mailbag comes from a frequent customer who has some questions about feeding his Rottweiler:
Question: I was curious as to the amount of food you would suggest I feed my dog, a female Rottie, fairly active, who weighs about 95lbs right now. Thanks.
Moe’s reply:
When deciding how much to feed, a lot depends on breed, size, activity, age and metabolism. For instance, consider me, a 90-lb high born Ridgeback, and my roommate, a 50-lb commoner mutt mix of unknown origin. Guess what: we eat the same amount, because my roommate burns right through her food. That means about 10 oz of delicious meat per meal (approximately 1/3 of a 2-lb tube) for each of us, plus about 1/2 cup of pureed veggies.
When we get whole bones for a meal (chicken backs, chicken feet, mmmm, so delicious) my people cut back on the ground meat (though I personally have no idea why). For example, if I get two or three chicken feet, then they cut my ground down to about 7 or 8 oz. And they wonder why I’m hungry all the time! (Editor note: Moe likes to eat but that doesn’t mean he is actually hungry.)
One last note: as a senior dog (11-years-old), I’m eating “a little” less than I did during my hardcore bodybuilder days, when I packed on the beef for the dog park circuit. Cutting back as your beloved dogs get older helps maintain their weight, saving stress on their bones.
Thanks for writing, and for shopping with Moe!