My puppy is 4 months old and eats twice a day. He doesn't seem too interested in eating and would rather play or just sit around that actually sit down and eat his food. He is gaining weight, but it concerns me that he isn't a good eater. I am used to dogs who scarf down their food and he just casually eats it. I don't leave it down all day, he's in a crate anyway, he gets it in the morning and at night. Any tips on making him a more active eater?
If he is gaining weight then he is eating enough to keep him happy and full. Nothing to worry about until he does not eat and ends up losing weight because of the lack of food intake. Could indicate a medical problem. He may dislike something he is currently eating but not enough to stop him eating it.
Our dogs are fed twice per day. They get one hour to eat. After the one hour time limit anything left is taken and thrown out. They do not get anything until next feeding. Eventually they will get hungry enough to eat.
I would not worry about him not wolfing down his food. It is better that a dog does not scarf his food down rapidly Dogs that rapidly eat or scarf down their food (my dog) have a greater chance to bloat. In reducing that possibility the dog should be fed twice per day. (If you feed 12oz of food split the feeding into two 6oz meals) The food and water dish (bowl or pan) should also be elevated high enough off the floor so the dog does not have to bend his neck down to eat or drink.
If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?
I've had the same problem with both my dogs from the same kennel (neither is related). After hundreds on tests on the first dog and about 5 different brands of top quality kibble, I finally just whiched to Raw (vet didn't approve) but he's my dog, I'll feed him what I want. He started to gain weight and looks great. Well, the puppy decided that raw was the way to go, so she gets it too. Both dogs look great and the cost and time it takes to prepare the meals is worth it. Since your dog is not losing weight, he might be eating when your not looking?
Thanks for the help. I currently am switching his food to Natural Balance and he likes that better. I don't think I'm ready to do the raw diet yet. Thanks again for the advice
Chrissy, if you have found a food that your dog likes and is good quality then good for you and your dog. I wish mine were not so picky, maybe it's A GSD thing. Every dog I owned before these two have been the eat the food and don't stop to chew kind. But, I did learn a lot about different dog food brands and the BARF diet.
Mine has max. half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening to eat. And he smells, thinks, evaluates, goes round his bowl, then eats. But if I measure, he eats daily twice the recommended quantity, the one you find on each dogs food sac.
Only two things made him eat like a vacuum cleaner:
1. natural food - unfortunately, I have time to cook only once a week, and when the big bowl is over, dogs get back to dry food.
2. my second dog, which is older and a great eater - bad chance, they are separated at meal time; but even feeling him around it's good to make the young one eat.
If he refuses his food but he likes to eat a piece of cheese or meat, I am sure he is healthy and I don't get concerned.
I would shorten the time up/... I tell people to feed thier dogs in a crate..where they have nothing else to do..but eat.. and I would only give them 15 minutes to eat.. then pick it up.. usually within a few days they are eating just fine.
Thanks again for the tips. I will shorten up my time for feeding. Other people also told me about shortening up the feeing time because if he is hungry he will eat. Thanks again.
comment on elevated food bowl ; i found that when i fed my dog ( BC ) from an elevated position , he would puke up completely unchewed kibble up to three , four hours after ingesting . i figured out that by having the bowl up ( 6,8 inches )he didn't have to chew it up at all to get it in . this was a daily occurence until i put the dish back down on the floor , and the up chucking ended immediately .
as for the timing : we have " food time " and if it doesn't get eaten then , i assume he's had enough , and it goes away , right away .
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Top
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
.jpg)
