Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff

I have a Neapolitan Mastiff and I am unsure on whether I'm feeding her the right amount of food. She has lost weight recently and does not look like the Mastiffs on the internet. I love her to bits and I'm so worried. I have had her at the vet's and he's said that she's fine.

Bucky from England

Answers:

Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff

I think you should find a small pet store, the kind that won't sell food that's in the super stores, and take her in. A lot of times people think little stores are more expensive, but that's not true. And they will know a lot about keeping your dog in good health without having to pay for a vet. They will also tell you when its time to see a vet too. (11/13/2006)

By Melissa

Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff

Melissa had some good advice, I always go to a pet store where my "children" can go in with me. Pet stores that allow your pets generally speaking have trained personal that can recommend food types, how often to feed and other things. I would like to add that sometimes dogs go though a gangly stage just like our children.

As they grow taller they look thinner, also when they shed. The loss of hair can make them look a little thin. If you have had her to the vet, checked for worms, etc. and he found nothing wrong I would say you are worrying too much. I do that myself. (11/13/2006)

By Glenda

Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff

We have a Neapolitan/Shepherd mix, she weighs 130 pounds. She gets a can of food for breakfast, and at nite she gets about 1 1/2 cup of dry food and half can of wet food mixed in it. It is better to feed a large breed dog a couple, or 3 small meals a day, due to the fact that they can get intestinal problems with too much food at once. You did not say what your dog's age is, but if it is still in the puppy stage, they will get skinny and gangly, just like any child. If your vet said not to worry, don't. Also watch for hip displaysia, mine has this already and she is only 5, will be 6 on Valentine's Day. Hope this eases your mind a bit. (11/13/2006)

By Rosa

Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff

Watch her closely; if she wants more, feed her a bit more of pet store better food, but beware that in the US at least, canned pet foods are made from diseased animals. I lost two precious young dogs because I had no idea this was the case. I should have bought and prepared sale meats and stewed veggies for them instead and would still have them today! Good luck and God bless. (11/13/2006)

By Lynda

Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff

Based on this weblink below they eat like a gallon of food a day

http://www.neapolitan.org/html/faq.html (11/14/2006)

By Brenda

Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff

There is no need to worry, I have a 4 year old boy, who went through a similar phase. (04/12/2007)

By rap

Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff

I feed my Neo IAMS Proactive Health Smart, large breed food and I use a pressure cooker to cook whole chickens. Always make sure your dog has fresh water. And make sure when you pressure cook that all the bones have turned to mush the minerals and protein are excellent for the breed also for more info check out the BARF diet. You can google or yahoo search it. (07/02/2008)

By Liz