how to make them eat??

[peachesandchubby]

My two 8 month old pups dont eat very well?? They are very healthy and look to be a good size - peaches is around 88 lbs and chubby as his name makes you think at 95 lbs looks almost chubby. Vet says both are in good health and weight.
I put down 2 cups of Nutro Ultra puppy dry for both of them and split a can of Merrick wet between the two. Its not like they dont get really good quility food.
I kinda think maybe its like kids...when they are going thru a growing spirt they eat when they arnt they dont?? Does this sound right to yall?

[moondog]

Yep, that sounds right to me! Dogs are pretty good a regulating their intake, and generally will only eat what they need. If you find that they maintain a good weight, but aren't finishing their meal, simply cut back the amount as it's likely due to a slowing of growth.

[Argos]

I have to agree with moondog. My boy Cody does the same thing. He has always been very good at maintaining his own weight. As a puppy, he would rarely eat all I gave him, so I gave him less so it didn't go stale. Dogs are just like us. They like fresh food and water each time they eat, so if you leave out more than they will eat in a meal, chances are they wont eat it later because it loses its flavor. Some people suggest to feed them and leave the food out for a specific amount of time then put it away. That will encourage them to eat all they will need before the next meal. Put them on a set feeding schedule, and stick to it. The main thing to be concerned with is that they are healthy. As long as the vet says they are good, there should be no problem. Another thing to try if you really feel like they are not eating enough is to increase their exercise. Rotties are working dogs and need activity to work up an appetite.

[jackdee]

So what if you dog will eat more than 2.5 cups at a meal should you give more mine will eat forever?

[moondog]

Originally Posted by jackdee

So what if you dog will eat more than 2.5 cups at a meal should you give more mine will eat forever?

No.... We are talking about dogs that do regulate their intake, not dogs that don't! You should give your dog the amount of food they need to maintain a healthy weight. If they are getting too heavy, you have to limit the amount they eat.

Most dogs will eat voraciously during a growth spurt, and then back off considerably when the spurt is over, because they don't need as much food and are consequently not as hungry at mealtime.

[peachesandchubby]

Thanks for the input everyone!!
Im tring not to stress over it ... as chubby sits in his crate lookin at me like "what am I suppose to do with that?? (meaning his food) I wanna play" !! LOL!!
They are healthy sure nuff shiny coats, lean muscle, over all absolutely gorgeous babies. Of course I am mom so [i]maybe[i] Im slightly bios!!!
I do feed them on a regular shedule but like tonight we were out late shopping with the puppies for stocking stuffers. So hopefully they will at least nibble on it here and there. I do take up the food left over and throw it away, and put down fresh the next feeding. I think I will cut back on the amount and add more if they look like they want it. Thanks for the ideas and Merry Christmas yall!!

[rottnelmo]

Also it could be that the food is not agreeing with him. Maybe try a better quality food....

I usually switch every three to six months...my current dogs eat with a flourish.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by moondog

Dogs are pretty good a regulating their intake, and generally will only eat what they need.

Originally Posted by Argos

I have to agree with moondog.

How, then, does one explain obese dogs? Many of the Rotties--puppies included--I've seen at rescue meet & greets I've attended over the years in various states have weight problems. It's so rare for me to see an in shape Rottie that I'm always astonished when I do.

In my years of owning Rotties, I've never had a dog who would regulate what he or she ate. All my dogs--past and present--have hoovered their food and then dashed around to each other's bowls to see if anything has been left. I could feed my dogs vast quantities and they'd eat what I fed them.

Maybe a solo dog could be "pretty good" at regulating food intake, but I've never only had one dog at a time.

[rottcrazed]

I have never had more than one dog self regulate at a given time and at that, it has been for maybe a meal or two at a time - that is all. Justice, when he was young, from time to time, would skip a meal. Now that he is older and for about the past 4 years I can honestly say, he would eat until he explodes if allowed to.

Puppies, I have never had one self-regulate.

I know all dogs are different and some may just not eat like others, but for both pups to skip meals regularly, I would think they are just not liking their food.

Try a new food, see what happens. Can't hurt.

Kristi

[moondog]

Angelbunny, I don't know what to tell ya. Like you, but opposite, I've always been astonished when people say their dogs inhale their food in 30 seconds, too...I've never had a dog of any breed do that. I've always given my dogs the amount of food they need, and none of them has been overweight or has run around looking desperately for more when done eating. They like their food, but If I've given them too much they don't finish it and I use that as my barometer.

It almost sounds like it has more to do with us than the dogs, eh?

[my2boys]

Okay, so you can probably guess about my guys! Baron is one of those dogs that "regulates" his weight. There are times when he literally picks at his food or doesn't eat at all for 2 days. One time he barely ate for 4! He drinks water and acts fine, just won't eat. Then there's Duke. Duke is a 30 second or less dog! I put the food dog, give him the "okay" and by the time I'm completely straighten up, it's gone. I've learned with Baron that he will eat when he's hungry.

[JemarsSerena]

I have a 1 minute or less dog as well. Whether she is eating raw, kibble or mixed. It doesn't matter if there is one cup of food or 3. We started out from day one putting the food down for 15 minutes then pulling it until the next meal. She learned REAL quick to eat or wait.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by moondog

...I've always been astonished when people say their dogs inhale their food in 30 seconds, too...I've never had a dog of any breed do that. I've always given my dogs the amount of food they need, and none of them has been overweight or has run around looking desperately for more when done eating. They like their food, but If I've given them too much they don't finish it and I use that as my barometer.

How, then, if dogs are so good at self regulating, does one bulk up Rotties for the conformation ring?? I am not singling you out--just asking a question. From my experience, if I ever conformation showed a dog, it would be no problem at all to bulk up the dog!

I've had Rotties as my only breed of dog since 1984 and have had 8+ years of fosters coming thru our home. All of them have been stomachs on legs masquerading as dogs. Yes, we had a starvation case who had to be jollied into eating because he wasn't interested in eating, but once his appetiate returned, he too joined the ranks of eager eaters. Yes, we've had a foster or two who took about a minute to clean his bowl (compared to our girls who polish off their meals in about 20-25 seconds).

I too give my girls what they need for their age and level of activity, but I could feed them double what they're fed, or even three times, and they'd eat it all. They'd eat til they popped.

A couple of years ago, I got home from work one night to find only our older girl waiting for me at the door, instead of our two girls. I went looking for Moxie--and found her, round as a barrel, lying on the floor of the pantry, guarding the food bin. Her belly was so fat, it was painful to look at her. We keep food in a large plastic tub and I clearly hadn't secured the lid before leaving that morning. Mox had pushed open the top and had eaten God knows how much, but from the size of her, had clearly eaten until she could eat no more. (But, this still didn't stop her from guarding the food to prevent her sister from sharing the bounty!)

I just thanked my lucky stars Mox didn't experience bloat.

Originally Posted by moondog

It almost sounds like it has more to do with us than the dogs...

Not in our case! Fosters are fed away from our girls, often outside. Watching them thru the window, they too are very interested in eating everything they're fed, once they get accustomed to what the house feeds.

It defies my imagination that there are many dogs, apparently, who eat as judicially as do cats and mules.

[shybird]

I have 5 dogs. Two that I raised from puppyhood are dainty eaters. They take their time and most often finish their meals. Three came from shelters and were very skinny (bones showing) They gobble as fast as can be and go bowl hopping looking for more. Those three have been here long enough to know that they are going to get breakfast and dinner every day. (5,4 and 3 years) I have often wondered if they have not forgotten their hungry days? I do believe though that it is just in their makeup to be gobblers or dainty eaters and not their circumstances that rule this. I find this a very interesting thought though.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

How, then, if dogs are so good at self regulating, does one bulk up Rotties for the conformation ring?? I am not singling you out--just asking a question.

It defies my imagination that there are many dogs, apparently, who eat as judicially as do cats and mules.

Well, again....I just don't know what to tell ya, other than not all dogs are yours, not all dogs are stomachs on legs masquerading as dogs, and not all dogs will eat until they explode.

I understand your dogs are like this. Is it possible for you to understand others may not be?