Too Hungry?

[Boxermomma]

Okay, I have a question.

My boy is 7 months old now. He has been 46 lbs for the past two 1/2 weeks. He is not small. He is pretty tall (Have to measure) and very muscular and not ribby like some pups. You can see his last three, but he is not quite as thin as some of the other pups I see. Anyway, for the past two or three days he seems to be ALWAYS hungry. He is fed California Natural and is given a tiny bit more then the recommended. He is fed at two times a day and is given wet food with his first feeding. After each meal (esp at night) he keeps crying at his bowl for more food. Should I give him a little more? Maybe he's going through another growth spurt? Or is he just being greedy? ANd I should ignore him? I don't want to over feed him or make him fat. It's not like he's small.

I have some recent pics in my gallery if that will help.

Any advice?? Thanks!

[oc_spirit]

If he thinks he's hungry but you don't feel he needs anymore at all then you could always just add some string beans to his kibble. They make him feel full but they hold no nutritional value for dogs (just goes right through their system) so he won't get fat from them. Does he spend a lot of time outside? Dogs who do lots of activity in the cold do need extra calories during the chillier months so they burn fuel faster to keep warm. OC's kibble gets increased by about 1/2 cup during the winter OR he gets a chunk of beef fat with his kibble OR a little extra meat.

[Novel]

With puppies, in my opinion, you should err on the side of too thin vs. too heavy. Boxers tend to be pretty ribby, especially depending on their lineage. If his spine does not show, but you can barely feel it, he's at about the right weight. The pins of his hips should not stick out, but they should also not be buried under any fat. Boxers are a relatively light dog, yet each dog has its own ideal weight.
My dogs are always hungry. They are not like cats that eat when they are hungry, but they are opportunists, who will eat the whole pot roast and still look for more, if they get the chance. Being hungry is healthy for them, as long as they get nutririous food, plenty of water and appropriate exercise, you will raise a puppy into healthy adulthood.
The green beans are ideal. I can tons of them in the summer to use over winter, when activity levels are lower and they want more to fill their stomach, but they don't need any weight.
If you have a clear picture of him, we could always evaluate that too.

Boxers should have a coke bottle shape when looked at from above. wide at the ribs, narrow waist, and then wide in the rear. If you don't have the thin waist, tuck up area, your dog is most likely too heavy.

[shandoggy1]

I have a 7 and a 1/2 month old Cattle dog and he eats like he is never going to eat again. I put a cup plus in his bowl twice a day and he eats it within 45 to 60 seconds maybe even 30 seconds . I have talked to my vet about it and they said that some dogs are just real "chow hounds". My Cai is 52 lbs and solid muscle and you also can't see his ribs, so I don't worry about him. I just recently switched him to Innova evo and he is doing great on it, plus I give him some raw meals. I'm sure your boy will be fine Maybe you should have him checked for tapeworms LOL! those suckers make you eat alot. Good Luck!

[Boxermomma]

I put up a few pictures.

He is a VERY active boy. And I have been noticing a lot more muscle lately also.

What I mean by he is bigger than most boxer pups is that there are very many boxer pups that are on the thin side. Because boxers grow upward until about 18 months and then fill out till about 3 years.
He is not fat at all, just not small either. I just want to be careful not to make him fat.

I can understand the post about it being winter. That is a good tip and heads up. Thanks!

Anyway, I posted the pics so you can give some more feedback.