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I just bought a new Yorkie today. He's 7.5 weeks, 3 lbs 6.5 oz., and 9 inches. He seems rather heavy to us for such a small puppy. Does anyone have any suggestions about the amount of food he should be offered daily? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

>>I just bought a new Yorkie today. He's 7.5 weeks, 3 lbs 6.5 oz., and 9 inches. He seems rather heavy to us for such a small puppy. Does anyone have any suggestions about the amount of food he should be offered daily? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Well, I'm sorry to have to say this, but the sad truth is, what this puppy should be eating is his mama's milk. Toy puppies should not be taken from their mothers and littermates until they are 12 weeks old.

The breeder should have provided you with full information on how to feed your puppy, plus at least a few days' worth of the food he was eating. However, a good breeder wouldn't have placed this little one so young, so I'm not surprised to hear she or he did not give you this basic and vital information.

You can buy a puppy milk replacer formula at a pet store or veterinary hospital, and try mixing it with some high quality puppy food, and give small meals about six times a day. Be very careful to feed small, regular meals as toy puppies are prone to hypoglycemia if they don't eat on a very regular schedule. I'm not sure about amounts, the little tummy should be full but not bloated or distended. Knowing how much to feed a weanling pup is an art more than a precise science.

I do not believe Yorkies are prone to eating too much, the way Labrador puppies are, for example, so you might be able to rely on his own instincts to tell you when he's full.

I wish you luck with your new puppy.
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Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
www.caberfeidh.com/
Dogged Blog

Thank you! He's been eating a little less than 3/4 cups a day. In 4-6 little meals. The breeder was feeding him Purina Puppy Chow and did give me some. I had some Science Diet Puppy that I mixed a little bit in with his food one day, but it seems to make his stools a little softer. And being that he's not exactly sure of where to put his stools, I do not really want them to be too soft. I would like to switch him to a better quality dog food, i.e. Iams, Science Diet, etc. And I know to slowly mix it in with his food. I am glad to learn that they probably aren't prone to overeating. Thanks again for your 2 cents.

>>Thank you! He's been eating a little less than 3/4 cups a day. In 4-6 little meals.

This sounds pretty good to me. Try using a slightly better kibble - I'm not a fan of either Purina or Science Diet, and add in the puppy milk replacer or some goat's milk for a couple of weeks. And some probiotics would be good, too.

There are some good kibbles listed at www.dogaware.com

Please keep us posted!

>> And being that he's not exactly sure of where to put his stools, I do not really want them to be too soft.

No, but puppy stool IS normally quite soft.

>> I am glad to learn that they probably aren't prone to overeating. Thanks again for your 2 cents.

You're welcome!
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Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
www.caberfeidh.com/
Dogged Blog