Hello All,

My 10 month old GSD, Kodi is showing a complete disinterest in his raw food diet.
He used to be a voracious eater when he was a small pup, and has been raw fed since 12 weeks old.

I also give him the Honest Kitchen a couple times a week, and he is not very interested in that either.

I did feed him some boiled chicken breast and he ate that willingly and his energy seems very normal. He doesn't have a temperature either. Poops are normal.

Just put him on a new heartworm med recently, and wonder if that some how could be affecting his appetite. He had a a temporary bout of diarrhea from it, but it only lasted a day.

I just had him into the vet prior to this and he checked out in good health and is around 80 lbs.
I have been feeding approximately 2.25 lbs of meat and RMB's.

It has just recently been getting hot here and he is a long coat, so wondering if the heat could be a contributing factor, although they are inside, and just go out for walks and play time in the yard.

It is his third day of eating less and less.
I have been trying everything I can think of, adding canned wild salmon, canned mackerel, and still not too interested. Maybe takes a few bites and then gets up and walks away from the food.

Is this just a dog being picky?
Also, has anyone had to take their dog off raw and put them on kibble because their dog wouldn't eat the raw?
For a 10 month old puppy, should I be worried about a few days of disinterest?
Thanks in advance for your replies.

About how much is he eating a day for the past few days?

And is acting normal otherwise?

Random thought: could it just be that 2.25 pounds of food is too much and he's not hungry? Perhaps his metabolism has slowed a bit from when he was in his puppy growth spurt...maybe he just needs less food now than before.

FWIW, my 90-pound adult GSD eats about 1.6 pounds of food per day. But every dog's different, your mileage may vary.

He ate three or 4 chicken necks, and refused to eat the chicken backs the previous two days. Last evening he rejected some HK with salmon and mackerel.
This morning he ate a a small portion of some ground lamb and a raw egg with the shell ground up. But refused anything more.

His energy doesn't seem to be less than his usual self. His drive is less than my other GSD.
Still excited to go for his walks, but just sniffs his food and walks away.

This afternoon, I offered a rec venison bone to both and neither one is interested in it. ???

I just thought maybe it was the morning feeding and maybe giving the venison bone this afternoon, he might go for that, but so far he hasn't.
I haven't fed tripe in awhile, should I get some and give it a try?

 Quote: Tracy Collins

Random thought: could it just be that 2.25 pounds of food is too much and he's not hungry? Perhaps his metabolism has slowed a bit from when he was in his puppy growth spurt...maybe he just needs less food now than before.

FWIW, my 90-pound adult GSD eats about 1.6 pounds of food per day. But every dog's different, your mileage may vary.

I thought about that, but he is still only 10 months old. Plus he just seems so disinterested. Trying to discern is this is something more than just being fussy or not.

try cutting back amount, and then see where his interest level is. he really may just not need that much food, i know i wouldn't keep a dog on puppy food at 10 months...it may be time to reduce the amount. maybe skip a feeding a handful of times.

He has already had one day in which he refused both morning and evening feedings, last week. The next day he ate normally.
I will try cutting back, but it just seems like he is not wanting to eat much at all.

I guess I will continue to monitor him, and if it goes on, then maybe we will have to get another vet appointment.

Sounds like he's just not hungry.

Still, with the sudden change and all.

If you feel truly concerned, I'd say go to the vet for peace of mind.

Then you will know, can cut the amount of food, and not start jumping through hoops trying to get the dog to eat.:smile:

 Quote:

Then you will know, can cut the amount of food, and not start jumping through hoops trying to get the dog to eat.

Sadly, that has already started!
Guilty of hand feeding. I hate to see him not eat, and so I have tried. But just as in the one day when he refused both meals, then the next day he ate.

Also, wondering if he might be one of those dogs that doesn't want to eat in the morning? A possibility.

I'm with Michael--if you continue to be concerned that it's a health issue, see the vet for peace of mind.

But one you're sure he isn't sick, then I think you should be the one making choices about meals, not the dog. Decide when and what the dog will eat. Serve the food, leave it down for 5 minutes (or whatever your house rules are) and then pick it up. Meal time is over, until the next meal. You don't want to be hand-feeding him ever more exotic delicacies forever.