Is too much exercise NOT good for 5 month old pup?

**4theloveofzoe** · 10-12-2005, 07:59 PM

Today, we have taken Zoe on 1/2 mile walks 5 times today, and then in the late afternoon we walked about 1 1/2 to 2 miles.

She's a lab/spaniel mix, and I'm pretty sure that she has some "Pointer" in her too. Because when she stares at people, her body will get this stiff appearance, and her tails points straight out. lol

EDIT: What kind of dog/puppy food do you feed your dogs/puppies?

Right now we're feeding Zoe Purina Puppy Chow with mother's milk added.

**Jessika** · 10-12-2005, 08:06 PM

The rule of thumb, so I've been told, is that 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, not to exceed twice daily. So for a five month old pup, 25 minutes of exercise twice a day.

It can be VERY stressful on growing joints and muscles for a young pup to get TOO much exercise. I would just take it slow for awhile!!

As for food, I don't recommend any purina product. Full of fillers and by-products. You will see better results with a slightly higher quality food (even if you just switched to Purina Pro Plan, which still I don't recommend, but it IS better than Puppy Chow). I feed and STRGONLY recommend Nutro Natural Choice to my pups. Since they've been on it, they have THRIVED. Beautiful soft and shiny coats, and always full of energy LOL Even Charlie's dry skin condition went away on this food! I swear by it.

**4theloveofzoe** · 10-12-2005, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Jessika

The rule of thumb, so I've been told, is that 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, not to exceed twice daily. So for a five month old pup, 25 minutes of exercise twice a day.

It can be VERY stressful on growing joints and muscles for a young pup to get TOO much exercise. I would just take it slow for awhile!!

As for food, I don't recommend any purina product. Full of fillers and by-products. You will see better results with a slightly higher quality food (even if you just switched to Purina Pro Plan, which still I don't recommend, but it IS better than Puppy Chow). I feed and STRGONLY recommend Nutro Natural Choice to my pups. Since they've been on it, they have THRIVED. Beautiful soft and shiny coats, and always full of energy LOL Even Charlie's dry skin condition went away on this food! I swear by it.

Where do you get that food at?

**Tollers-n-Dobes** · 10-12-2005, 08:38 PM

That's probably a bit too much exercise for a puppy of her age, especially since she's not used to getting much exercise at all yet I'm sure. Once she's an adult that'll probably be fine but for now try to keep it a bit lower

I also feed my dogs the Nutro's Natural Choice (lamb & rice), that's all Tango can eat without getting sick it seems and she aswell as my Dobes do really well on it. You can get it at any pet store I'm sure, I get mine from Petsmart. I'm constantly getting comments one how beautiful their coats also. The same company makes puppy food but she's not really considered a large breed so try to stay away from the food made specifically for large breed dogs and stick with the regular puppy food if you think you'd rather feed her the puppy food instead of adult. I have barely any experience with puppy food as it's been forever since any of my dogs have eaten it, so hopefully someone else can give you their opinions. Good luck with Zoe! Sounds like she's going to have a wonderful home with you

**Jessika** · 10-12-2005, 08:38 PM

Any Petco and Petsmart near me sells it. I'm sure they have a store locater on their website... yup, here
http://www.nutroproducts.com/dealerlocator.asp

**4theloveofzoe** · 10-12-2005, 08:52 PM

Okay... I did a search for a store near me and I found one. IN THE SAME town. lol

Thanks everyone!

I'll donate the bag of dog food that I already bought to a local shelter. At least it's food, right?

**Kirbys Mom** · 10-12-2005, 08:56 PM

well i will start my chihuahua on purina puppy chow, nutient formula since thats what the breeder uses.

**lv4dogs** · 10-13-2005, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by 4theloveofzoe

I'll donate the bag of dog food that I already bought to a local shelter. At least it's food, right?

Nutro is an AWESOME food!!!

I'd keep the bag you have as you want to gradually switch the puppy over to the new food to avoid an upset digestive system. Slowly add a bit of the new food to the old & slowly start to take away the old food, this should take about 2-3 weeks to complete.

And being a medium/large size dog and at 5 months I'd say it is safe to say that you can stop feeding puppy food. Adult food is fine.

**Vette** · 10-12-2005, 08:08 PM

Im not sure if this true or not.. but ive heard puppy food can cause largre/medium sized breed puppies bones to grow to fast.. and as the dog ages it literaly has growing pains.