Help me get this boy to eat!

[Lucinda195]

Hi all,

Here i am again writing about the Reno boy!!! I cannot get him to eat! He is so picky.

If any of you remember previous threads there was a misunderstanding about food with the breeder when i brought Reno home. Orignially it was supposed to be Eukanuba puppy food, but when i got there to pick him up it was Eagle Pack puppy. Well since the ONLY person in my area that carries Eagle Pack didn't have the kind i needed i started feeding him Eagle Pack all natural. I believe the protein/fat was only 23/12 so per one of the Dr's i work for they suggested a higher protein/fat content. I am now feeding Eagle Pack Holistic.

I am lucky if i get this boy to eat 1 cup a day. I have tried mixing yogurt,(he licks the yogurt), Maceral and salmon, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, I have left his food down for 15 minutes, picked it up, put it down ect, he just won't eat!!

I check his stool on a regular basis and he is clear of any parasites.

I have tried the Canidae and that just did not agree with him, he had diarrhea big time.

I am very concerned about his weight. He is almost 19 weeks and he weighs 39#. This just doesn't seem to be right to me.
As far as genetics goes he certainly isn't following that for i would think he would be bigger. His sire is Akino von der Lauterbrucke and he is pretty good size, the dam is nice size too.

As far as seeing his ribs, certain ways he walks yes i can see them. I am not trying to make him gain quickly for i know the results of stress on his joints. I just want him to be healthy.

I would love opinions on his size and if you think he is within the average weight. And PLEASE any suggestions on getting this boy to eat better would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you,

Lucinda

[LavenderRott]

What does your vet say about his size?

A couple of weeks ago, I was at the pet store buying crickets. They were unpacking products that had just been delivered and on the counter was some gravy. If I remember right, the bottle looked like a salad dressing bottle. I can't remember who made it but I do remember that the ingredients were all natural and healthy sounding.

If you want, I can check it out tomorrow.

[Lucinda195]

LavenderRott,
Thanks for the response. Sure i would love to know what that product is!:) Although i am hesitant about adding to his food. I want him to strickly eat dry GOOD food, but at this point to get him to start eating i will try anything.

I work for 7 Dr's and they all have placed bets on his weight full grown. All but one Dr. says he is very small. The one that thinks he will eventually gain the weight he needs owns two rotties.

I get harassed daily about my little guy!:) One Dr. believes his maximum weight will only reach 60#.

I love him just the way he is but i do want him healthy! And i want him to eat!! He is very leggy right now. I am going to go post a picture in "Picture this" as soon as i am done here so you can take a look at him. Hard to tell from a picture but at almost 19 weeks i would think he should be bigger.

Thank you again,
Lucinda

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally posted by LavenderRott
A couple of weeks ago, I was at the pet store buying crickets. They were unpacking products that had just been delivered and on the counter was some gravy. If I remember right, the bottle looked like a salad dressing bottle. I can't remember who made it but I do remember that the ingredients were all natural and healthy sounding.

Is this what you were talking about? http://www.petco.com/product_info.as...2&dept_id=%2D2 It's called Vita Gravy & I've seen it at Pet Co. several times. I was actually thinking of getting some for Julius when he was showing disinterest in Nutro but now he's gobbling up the Canidae.

Brooke

[LavenderRott]

That sure looks like it. I would have to go back to the pet store to be sure.

I was really surprised by the lack of crap in it.

[Judi W]

From your description he is just fine. His hip bones nor ribs are sticking out. The only thing getting him to eat more would do is make him fat. The rate of growth, when growth spurts occur, and size are genetically determined excluding serious illness. Isn't it rather silly to worry about how "big" a baby is? Quality is not measured by the pound. He is eating as much as he needs and much fussing on your part is going to create eating problems where none exist. Give him his food and walk away. Come back in 20 minutes and pick it up. Do not free feed. Don't stand over him and fuss or distract him or make him wonder if he waits what else you might put in his bowl. That is a prescrition for life time eating problems.

[rotties29]

then take him to the vet and see what she has to say or suggest that is where you should really go because if something is wrong internally you would really know

but try some other techniques and see if leaving his food and him alone will do some good go into the kitchen and watch or peek from a corner to see what happens and some pups dont eat as much as others do so just be a little patient

but if you see signs that dont look proper to you then take him to his doctor to have him checked out:D