Rottie not eating out of bowl

[RotZumZumRot]

Hey guys, my male 7month rot is not eating as good as he used to. I have been feeding him Science Diet for large breeds since he was 2-3 months... yes I know it seems not to be a great choice, but like many others here followed my vets advice. Anyways ... the thing is I feed him in the morning bout 2 1/2 cups and at night bout 2-3 cups in his bowl but he sometimes just doesn't seem to want to eat anything .I really don't think he likes it too much but will eat just bc he has too. I am thinking of changing his food. He is 65 lbs and he is my first rot pup so I just want to know if I should be worried or is this normal behavior?

Naldo

[LavenderRott]

I highly recommend changing his food. If you do a search in the Nutrition section, you will find a ton of information on what to look for in a good food.

Every animal I have ever had has turned their nose up to a meal on occasion. So long as everything seems fine - energy level, etc. and it is only a meal (or two), I don't panic. If it lasts for longer then a day, or there are other "off" behaviours - then it is time to check with the vet.

[JemarsSerena]

Serena just went through about a week where she didn't finish a single meal. Could be your pup is just not growing right now. As well, I'm not an expert but 4.5 - 5 cups a day seems like a lot of food. Unless you dog is extremely active and excersised religiously several times a day, I would cut back on the food a little. Although, weight looks good. Try adding a little yogurt to the food if this continues. Serena gets some and cleans her bowl everytime. (not that she's growing again)

[hokisteph5]

Like everyone else has said, you should look for another food and possibly cut back on how many cups you're feeding. The most mine ever got was 4 cups a day, but that's now been reduced since they're no longer puppies.

Also, are you putting the food down and leaving it there until your dog eats it? If so, I'd recommend putting it down for a set amount of time (say 15-20 minutes) and then taking up the bowl after that time. I did this with mine and it took a few times, but they eventually learned that they only had so long to finish their food. They now have their food finished in a few minutes.

[RotZumZumRot]

Hey Everbody, Thanks for the feed back. Thing is I live in St.Maarten and I just don't understand why I can't seem to find any other name brands that have been recommended . So far I've only seen Alpo, Science Diet and Pedigree. It is a lil annoying but I plan on checking more places. But by these choices which should I use?

Naldo

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by RotZumZumRot

So far I've only seen Alpo, Science Diet and Pedigree. It is a lil annoying but I plan on checking more places. But by these choices which should I use?

Oh, dear--can you keep looking?? None of them are good.

[RotZumZumRot]

heheh lord make me feel like I'm in a third world country .. hehehe .. Purina any better? I found that one too. I am off tomorrow so I will be doing some serious searching all over and I will post what all I have found.

[RotZumZumRot]

Well I plan on checking some more. I found Purina close to where I work. feed back?

[JemarsSerena]

You might have to look in to ordering online. If your local pet store is independantly owned, they might be willing to order for you. You couls also consider a raw diet. If worst came to worst serve small amounts of Pedigree kibble and supplement with nutritious snacks like apples, carrots, yogurt, cottage cheese, bits of real lean meats.

[fostermom]

Several of the better dog food companies have websites that will offer a locator link...punch in your zip and they will tell you what the closest stores are to you. Sometimes you can find better brands of dog food at places like feed stores, even groomers or health food stores...places I wouldn't normally think to look. Good luck with finding something.

[LavenderRott]

Ouch. Purina, Pedigree and Alpo. Yeck.

Check the ingredients lists on the available food. You want to avoid meat by-products, soy and corn and you want at least 2 meats listed in the first five ingredients.

[RotZumZumRot]

Ok guys .. all morning searching and this is what I found. Attaboy , Purina, Alpo, Pedigree and ofcourse Science Diet. NOTHING else. Thing is I am in the Dutch Caribbean so I kid you not when I say we don't have a zip code.
I plan on checking one last place to see if he can order the food for me. But I really need a choice for now out of those. Cause he really isn't eating the Science Diet .

[Gunsey'sMom]

Thanks Fostermom-thats how I found my nearest Canidae dealer-and their store is chalk full of just about EVERY good food mentioned here! I was like a kid in a candy store when I walked in!!!!

I have found the feeding reccommendations on the back of the bags are not always something to go by as well. Gunner gets a heaping 2 1/2 cups a day right now, but I am about to cut back a little on even that (he is not finishing it all)

So I would reccomend a quality kibble (which you will feed less of any way) and reducing the amount.

[LavenderRott]

Well, if you can't find anything good, you will have to go with the best you can get.

Check the ingredients. All the foods you mention probably contain soy and corn, but the further down the ingredient list the better. Also, if one of the first 5 ingredients is "meat-by-products" - skip it. Chicken by-products are bad enough but meat by-products could be anything from chicken to dog.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by RotZumZumRot

... all morning searching and this is what I found. Attaboy , Purina, Alpo, Pedigree and ofcourse Science Diet. NOTHING else.

I don't know anything about Attaboy. Can you post the first couple of ingredients and perhaps the company that manufactures it? That way we can figure out where it stacks up with the other food you named.