more puppy food questions

[PA GOBBLER]

im feeding my pointer puppy Diamond brandfood. its high in protein. now my questions are he goes to the bathroom 8 or 9 times a day. the vet didn't really think that was a problem. and its solid, not runny. well he is rather small for his age, he is 16lbs at 4 months old. i saw his sister last week and she is about 8lbs bigger than him. i was wondering if i should switch to a more fat content food and if that would one help him grow more and 2 help him not crap as much. or should i just stick w/ what im doing and it will all come?[/align]

[underdog]

I don't see a problem with the numerous stools, so long as they are solid. Diamond Puppy food is a good brand with 31% protein and 20% fat. Where are you going to find a food with more fat? On a puppy, I don't see more fat as a solution.

You're not feeding the Diamond Large Breed Puppy Food are you? It has less protein and fat than the regular blend.

I'm assuming pup is wormed properly. That is probably the most common cause of malnourished pups.

Is a big bird dog better?

[Doc E]

FINALsize is 100% genetically determined. The RATE of growth is determined in large part from the food. The dog is going to end up the same size, whether you grow it fast or slow. Growing a pup slowly is better for their joints (that's the purpose behind "Large Breed" puppy foods).

[PA GOBBLER]

yes im feeding the large breed puppy food. and yes he is wormed.
i'll just stick w/ what im doing and see how it goes. thanks guys

[underdog]

I'd switch to Diamond's regular puppy food with higher protein and fat if I were concerned. I'd use the recommended method of blending in the new food in 25% increments for a period of three days as well. Pointers aren't large breed dogs and aren't plagued with some of the growth problems the larger breeds frequently have. Pointers do generally have higher activity levels than large breeds which might require more calories.

You still haven't commented on the physical condition of your pup. Can you see his ribs? Does he have some muscle? Energy level? Does he appear thin, normal, heavy?

Like Doc said his eventual size is already determined, what you need to be concerned with is his current physical condition.

[PA GOBBLER]

yes he has a lot of muscle, he is solid.it seems hehas long legs compared to his body. his neck is kinda small. i dont see the ribs, so not thin or heavy. just very solid for his size. andhis paws arent that big.i am comparing him to his sister that i saw and she was 8lbs heavier and about 4-5in taller. the vet said he is in great shape he put on 4lbs in 3weeks. the vet said by looking at him unless something really happends he looks like he will be around 40lbs. his dad was 60 and mom was 55lbs.. its no big deal to me i am just wondering if he wasent as big cause of the food. and his energy level is very very very high. this pup does not tire out.. i know thats part of the breed. but he is go go go.. he can run for an hour then walk miles if he had to then still be bouncing off the walls in the house..
he is a picky eater somedays though. i try to feed him 3 cups and somedays he eats it and some days he'll eat 1 1/2.. i feed him twice a day. the vet wanted me to pull the food instead of letting him eat when ever.. which i dont understand.
so okay me switching him off of the large beed food what is that doing for him? sorry im still confused on the whole large breed and protein and fat and why one is better and other isent and so on.. thanks for the help

ORIGINAL: underdog

I'd switch to Diamond's regular puppy food with higher protein and fat if I were concerned. I'd use the recommended method of blending in the new food in 25% increments for a period of three days as well. Pointers aren't large breed dogs and aren't plagued with some of the growth problems the larger breeds frequently have. Pointers do generally have higher activity levels than large breeds which might require more calories.

You still haven't commented on the physical condition of your pup. Can you see his ribs? Does he have some muscle? Energy level? Does he appear thin, normal, heavy?

Like Doc said his eventual size is already determined, what you need to be concerned with is his current physical condition.

[Mite]

I would regulate his food. Two cups a day, 1 cup ea. morning and 1 cup at night until about 25-30 lbs then 2.5 cups. I feed my puppy Pro Plan and feed her about that much. She weighs about 32lbs or so. I can't see her ribs mainly because of hercoat but I can feel them. The vet told me she's the perfect weight. Anyhow, you should just be able to see a hint of ribs and backbone.

From what I understand (which isn't much) from Doc E, Protein + Fat = rate of growth. The less Protein and Fat the slower the growth.

[PA GOBBLER]

thanks guys, im going to the vet this week and ill talk to her and see what she thinks