puppy has increased appetite - Page 1

Hello,
I have a male GSD Czech puppy who will be turning 7 months next week. He is a good size puppy for his age  but average weight. In the past 2 weeks I've noticed an increase in appetite. He seems to always be hungry. I don't want him to get chubby but don't want to deprive him either. He's on a raw, homemade food diet and occassionally I give him a meal of kibble.  I'm wondering if he might be in a growth spirt or maybe a change in the seasons has brought on this big appetite? I don't want hip problems but don't want to stunt his growth either.

Juno11

I would probably take a fecal sample to your vet and make sure he's free of parasites but absent that, would go ahead and incease his food a little.

Between 7 and 9 months they go thru a significant growth spurt and need extra food to keep up. Think of teenagers......they empty the refrigerator like no others and grow like weeds.

I would worm just to make sure, worms don't always show up in samples.

If poop is solid, that I wouldn't worry about EPI.

Enjoy your pup!

Thanks for the responses. Yes I found out that parasites don't always show up in a fecal. His stools are normal but I have some dewormer from the vet that does all worms which I will give him. I just wondered if there is a stage they go through where they eat more.
Juno11

As fall approaches, it's normal for ALL animals to eat more to store up fat for the lean winter months.

Also, around 7 months, my female GSD was polishing off 5 cups of food a day, and STILL looking rather skinny!

post a picture....
:)
P.S. agree 100% with Sunsilver....in a fall my dog food bill almost doubles...in a fall/winter they are always acting like i am starving them to death....in spring summer they get so picky that some days they skip their meals...thats when frozen meatsickles come in place.