Feeding your dog less will help prolong their life...

Innova says to feed my big boy 4 cups per DAY.  I was feeding 4 cups in the MORNING plus raw PLUS homecooked for dinner all winter to try to keep a bit of weight on them over the winter.  They looked DREADFUL they were so danged skinny.  So, I feed MORE than the recommended amount and I don't think my dogs are terribly, terribly active.

My vet told me that the dog food companies recommend feeding more than is needed and I've read that also.

 
Hmm, I wonder if thats because they can sell more dog food that way.[8|]  Go ahead, give em a lttle extra... and come buy a new bag sooner...
Just a thought.
 
" See, to me... that's not all that impressive. I hope to keep my dogs around significantly longer than that. "

Me too... my poor Kayla had to leave me at 3 and a half.  But I wanted her with me as absolutely long as possible... and Im hoping Bailey can stay with me for a LONG happy life[]

Hmm, I wonder if thats because they can sell more dog food that way. Go ahead, give em a lttle extra... and come buy a new bag sooner...
Just a thought.

 
  Of course it's the reason.
 
 " and Im hoping Bailey can stay with me for a LONG happy life[] "
 
  I'm sure Bailey will be around for a long time. []

Actually, I think 12-13 is about the normal for labs and goldens.  Of course, some live to be old, old, like pappy Boone that golden that died a few weeks ago--he had turned 19 in Jan. 
 
And I totallly agree overweight dogs (and humans) as a rule do not live as long as thin ones.  And I know for sure thin is much better on joints.  Also, heavy weights have a lot more other problems like diabetis, heart problems, respitory problems, etc.
 
I think totally working dogs or extremely active dogs do need more food than couch potato dogs.  Daddy always fed more during hunting season as the dogs were often out 5-6 hours a day 5-6 days a week and they had rough terrian to cover, lots of brush, tall grass, etc to push thru and if you have ever done that, you know that is work in itself.

" So, I feed MORE than the recommended amount and I don't think my dogs are terribly, terribly active. "
 
   They may burn more calories than you think. You do have several dogs and I'd imagine they spend a lot of time playing with each other. I thought I remember an exercise thread where you said you have a large area (several acres) where they can run.

I have noticed that the grocery foods tend to really up the feed amounts and I just assumed it was to sell more food.  But I think also with lower quality/protein source foods a dog has to eat more to get more nutrition from them.  On the other hand, in regards to Pro Plan, many people complain that our feeding standards are too low.  That their dogs are starving on the recommended amounts.  I would do what your dog leads you to do.  If he is thin and burns it off easily feed more.  If you have a robust/rotund dog such as my couch potato, I feed less that the recommened amount.  And I would be thrilled to have a large breed dog live to 13!  I haven't been that blessed before.  I am excited Jax is turning 9 on Mother's Day.  The best gift I could wish for this year.

I am feeding my dog Blue Buffalo (chicken and rice formula) and the label says feed him four cups a day but that's too much.  He is quite well fed on 25% less.  I am not quite sure how much less to feed him in order to get him to lose two pounds a month especially with medical conditions.  I am trying to keep him as still and quiet as possible.  I hear (read) people talk of feeding raw food and rotating food and I am lost.  I do know that with 3 cups of kibble, a couple TBSP's of pure pumpkin and plain yogurt that Mack's coat is heaven! Very thick and silky soft.  I have never seen anything like it on a lab, esp a labX.   In a month at the end of h/w trtmnt I will take him in and have him weighed to see where he is.  He needs to lose AT LEAST 40 pounds.  The extra wt is really antagonizing the UAP he was diagnosed with.  [8|]   Jules