I don't think it's because he's not hungry, I think he just loses interest. He's 9 weeks old (GSD), and I'm feeding Orijen Large Breed Puppy food. I've tried soaking it in water to make it soft to no avail.
He's spry as can be, he just doesn't seem to want to eat much. He eats about 1/4 cup and then finds something else to do.
Any tricks? I was going to go grab some Bravo or Instinct frozen raw diet and mix them, but I haven't had time yet.
Jennifer Marshal Webboard User Reg: 08-02-2007
Posts: 1078
Loc: Southern Oregon
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You can try mixing things in but that might increase your problem if the pup really likes the additives and doesn't eat the kibble around it or then refuses to eat the kibble at all. is he fed in his crate? If not I would feed in the crate, this will prevent distractions getting the best of him and allow him to eat.
Doesn't sound like he is eating much at all - does he like treats and such? Is it general not wanting to eat or just the food? Is this a new food from what he was fed before you got him? If so, how did you switch?
Amber Morgan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006
Posts: 1849
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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Are you free-feeding? Many people do this with young pups but I've found they'll be more interested in eating what you give them if you stick to a three feedings a day schedule until they're a bit older.
If you're not free feeding I would imagine the raw patties will help a lot.
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006
Posts: 2665
Loc: AZ
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John, it's best not to mix the kibble with the raw. Just give raw for a while and see how he reacts. If you have to feed kibble also, try a different brand (maybe he just doesn't like the one you're feeding) and feed the kibble at one meal and raw the other 2 meals. (3 meals a day for a young pup.)
I always feed in the crate, once at 7am, and once at 5pm. I did switch him over suddenly, the breeder was feeding a different kind of food that didn't really thrill me. I started feeding Orijen. He LOVED it the first couple of days, but then just seems to have lost interest.
I think it must have been the flavor he got bored of. Last night, I picked up some frozen raw patties, and I do about 75% Orijen, and 25% raw. I can't keep him away from it. He goes NUTS over it. His energy level was just insane today, and so far it looks like there's no digestive issues at all.
Brenda Mitchell Webboard User Reg: 07-03-2007
Posts: 125
Loc: Tallinn, Estonia
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John - I feed Orijen Large Breed Puppy Food in the mornings and raw in the evenings. I used to mix raw with the kibble but it gave Star really bad gas. Someone here said to feed them separately because it takes a lot longer for the kibble to digest and it was keeping the raw in the stomach alot longer, therefore the gas. Once I separate the meals, no more gas.
I give my puppy salmon oil and vit. E, so I mix that into the Orijen in the mornings - adds flavor along with the health benefits. I also mix in just a bit of Kefir which aids in digestion and that combination just makes Star go nuts for her food. (both meals, morning and evenings, are gone in a minute.)
John, just another trick that may help him eat his kibble is to mix in a teaspoon of baby food (veal, beef, lamb) and mix it thoroughly to coat each piece. They love it!
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