eating habits

[Dimitri]

it would appear my boy is not eating like he use to. he was always able to inhale his food (2 cups) without so much as hesitating, come to think of it, i would barely have time to put it on the floor, turn my head and the food was already in his stomach. he had a small spout of diaherria to which the vet gave some meds and now it is all the same. he loves to play in the park and chase all other dogs, but he doesn't want to eat any food. I don't want to leave the food bowl behind and let him eat at will. what could be wrong? the vet says they can't seem to find anything wrong with my boy

[hokisteph5]

When you say "not eating" does that mean his food + treats or just food? There was another thread recently where the dog wasn't eating their food, but she was getting treats. The recommendations the member was given was to cut out all of the treats and give the dog 15 minutes to finish their food.

I had to take up Samson's food a few feedings when he first came home, but ever since (over a year) he's been fine. When Gretchen started eating near Samson, she soon learned that if she didn't eat all her food, Samson would.

Another thing I've done is decided to try rotating foods. About six months ago I switched them to Canidae from a less premium food and after a few bags on that, I tried Innova. They seem to like anything so I'm trying to decide what their next food should be.

[Dimitri]

he rarely gets any treats anymore. come to think of it he got one raw bone in the past four days. He's currently on Fromm and he use to love the five star duck formula

[Sam's Mom]

What can it hurt to leave the food down if he doesn't eat it right away? At least until he starts eating normal again. Are there other dogs in the house? Will he take a treat if offered? Just some thoughts.

[Dimitri]

no other dogs in the house, just him. he will always take a treat no ands, ifs, or buts about that part. funny thing is that if i hand feed him his kibble he would take it. this morning i pushed the bowl towards him and he refused it but managed to eat about 1/2 cup. i'm following the rules that he gets to eat everything he can within a 15 minute period.

[TJK291]

How old is the dog? 2 cups doesn't seem like very much for a pup or full grown dog.

[dogsbydoug]

Originally Posted by TJK291

How old is the dog? 2 cups doesn't seem like very much for a pup or full grown dog.

We have two dogs here - almost 8 years old (85 pounds) and almost 5 years old (90 pounds). We feed a few different foods - all premium/high quality, and the dogs get between 2 to 2 1/2 cups per day. We've recently added Natures Variety Raw Instinct and Natures Variety Prairie foods to the rotation - the dogs LOVE this stuff!!

What can it hurt to leave the food down if he doesn't eat it right away? At least until he starts eating normal again. Are there other dogs in the house? Will he take a treat if offered? Just some thoughts.

If you leave the food down for the dog to eat whenever he wants you often create a picky eater, and it is much harder to figure out if the dog is ill if he goes 'off his food' if you've got a dog that picks all day.

We had a foster that was 'free fed' and she very quickly learned that she'd better eat within the 15 minutes that bowl was down or she'd be hungry until the next meal! I think she missed two meals before she figured it out.

[Dimitri]

my puppy is just 11 months old and it is 2 cups twice a day

[TJK291]

Wow, he should be eating twice as much I would say around 4 cups a day. Get him to a vet if he doesn't eat in a few days. Does he eat treats? Maybe he's just being picky. How much does he weigh?

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by Dimtiri

my puppy is just 11 months old and it is 2 cups twice a day

So he's not eating anything at all? If he was eating some, I would think maybe he just wasn't hungry for four cups a day. I fed four cups when mine were puppies, but they now get about 2-3 cups a day. They also get treats and fruit w/ yogurt on a regular basis.

When you had him at the vet did the vet just do a physical exam or were more tests involved? If it was just an exam and he's not eating at all, I think it may be time to take him back for more extensive tests.

[Dimitri]

Originally Posted by TJK291

Wow, he should be eating twice as much I would say around 4 cups a day. Get him to a vet if he doesn't eat in a few days. Does he eat treats? Maybe he's just being picky. How much does he weigh?

he weighs 97lbs about a week ago at the vet. i brought him in that time because he had the runs and wasn't eating well for a few days.

[Dimitri]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

So he's not eating anything at all? If he was eating some, I would think maybe he just wasn't hungry for four cups a day. I fed four cups when mine were puppies, but they now get about 2-3 cups a day. They also get treats and fruit w/ yogurt on a regular basis.

When you had him at the vet did the vet just do a physical exam or were more tests involved? If it was just an exam and he's not eating at all, I think it may be time to take him back for more extensive tests.

he barely eats anything anymore. 1/2 cup a day :(

[spoiledbabies3]

I would definitely make an appt to see the vet immediately and have him run more extensive tests. This doesn't sound like a normal appetite for such a youngin...my 10 mo old girl eats like a horse...please keep us updated on his progress...Sending only good thoughts and prayers to you...

[observer]

[quote=TJK291;704459]Wow, he should be eating twice as much I would say around 4 cups a day. QUOTE]

He said he's been feeding 2 cups twice a day.... that's four.

Missy went through a spell of no eating a few weeks ago. Took her to the vet, did an exam and blood work. All normal. I fed her the bland diet canned food from the vet and gradually mixed her kibble back in... in a few days, she was fine. In a young dog like yours (Missy is pushing 11 years) it is concerning when they just quit eating. Has blood work been done?

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by Dimtiri

he barely eats anything anymore. 1/2 cup a day :(

I would definitely go back to the vet then and have them run some bloodwork. Gretchen will be a year old on Saturday and she devours her food.