finicky eater

[jp2854]

Do you any of you have dogs that will eat there food for a while then show no interest in it but force themselves to eat when nothing else is offered? We just in the last few days had that start with bruno so today I mixed a can of a/d prescription food in with her dry and boy did she go to town (she acted like she hasn't eaten in months when she surely has). I am only going to feed her 2x a day 3 cups of dry plus 1 5.5oz can of wet since she did pretty well with that this am to see if I can get her on some sort of schedule as that is what the vet said needed to happen as before she was just free eating whenever she wanted to as the dry food was always out all day til about 730pm. She isn't a real big eater and isn't putting weight on really fast which the vet said is a good thing because if she does she might end up with hip problems (this breed is known for them) shes a saint bernard.

 

[forever jewel]

You should never offer your dog free food. Schedule feedings around the same time each day, AFTER you eat your breakfast or dinner. It teaches the dog respect.

As for finicky eaters, many puppies go through this. I suggest not changing the food too much as it may cause the dog to get pickier. If she's hungry enough, she'll eat whatever you give her.

 

[jp2854]

she is still on the same dog food all we did was add 1can of wetfood to it and I think we will just stick with it since she seems to like it.

Her feeding times I think are going to be 730am and 330 or 8 and 5pm or something like this I have to talk it over with the others in teh household here so we are all on the same note.

 

[migtig]

My dog has always been like that and still is. However, I "range feed" him since he was a pup. That means, he always has clean food and water. He eats and drinks when he feels like it. Sometimes he'll even go a day without eating. At most he has been 3 lbs overweight.

I never switch his dog food and I never give him wet food. Wet food is too high in calories and messes up his digestion. I'm not going to clean up runny poo.

 

[jp2854]

well I guess we will see what one day of giving her wetfood is going to do to her. She went earlier and it was still firm not runny (I know tmi).

Migtig shes a saint and supposed to be eating 6plus cups of food a day and she only eats 2 to 4 if we are lucky. She gets all excited when I open the wetfood for my male cat that she tries to knock me over to get it before i try to dart up the stairs to feed him.

 

[jaybeeztoo]

well I guess we will see what one day of giving her wetfood is going to do to her. She went earlier and it was still firm not runny (I know tmi).

Migtig shes a saint and supposed to be eating 6plus cups of food a day and she only eats 2 to 4 if we are lucky. She gets all excited when I open the wetfood for my male cat that she tries to knock me over to get it before i try to dart up the stairs to feed him.

I could be wrong, but isn't it also your cat that won't eat? Maybe I am mixing up screen names.

 

[migtig]

well I guess we will see what one day of giving her wetfood is going to do to her. She went earlier and it was still firm not runny (I know tmi).

Migtig shes a saint and supposed to be eating 6plus cups of food a day and she only eats 2 to 4 if we are lucky. She gets all excited when I open the wetfood for my male cat that she tries to knock me over to get it before i try to dart up the stairs to feed him.

Not that I have ever tasted it, but from what I understand cat food is "sweet" like a treat or cookie, so of course it's exciting to a doggie. But dogs will also eat cat poop and rub themselves in fish guts. That means, just cause they want it doesn't meant hey should have it.

I don't think there is a problem with undereating. Seriously, perhaps she's not at the energy/activity level to need that much. I have a Shiloh Shepherd and he's huge and doesn't always eat his food, but when he's hungry you know it. Then I have the smaller dog who never eats when I think he should. Sometimes he's in the kitchen eating while I'm trying to sleep. Again, that's because I've range feed them, and this doesn't work for everybody.

But if you are doing dry food at set meal times, put the measured food down and leave it. If she eats, she eats. If she goes back later and eats, she eats. No harm to her. Refill her bowl at meal times. Otherwise, don't worry about it. If the food never gets eaten, then there is cause for concern, but allowing her to eat it when she's hungry isn't going to harm her at all.

 

[MMDad]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.7) 320x240; VZW; Motorola-Q9c; Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard)

Poor dog. :cry:

 

[forever jewel]

If you offer her the food at meal times, try leaving it down there for her to eat for 30 min-1hr. If she doesn't eat it, take it away and do not offer her food until the following meal time. She'll quickly learn to not be picky, that food won't always be there and to eat what she can get. Its not mean, its real life. In the wild, if dogs do not eat right away, there is nothing to eat.

 

[Cowgirl]

You should never offer your dog free food. Schedule feedings around the same time each day, AFTER you eat your breakfast or dinner. It teaches the dog respect.

I always feed my animals before I eat. They're hungry and they don't have the ability to feed themselves.

 

[forever jewel]

I always feed my animals before I eat. They're hungry and they don't have the ability to feed themselves.

Of course they don't have the ability to feed themselves. But if you eat after them, you tell them "You [the dogs] are more important than myself/family and deserve to eat before me".

 

[cattitude]

Do you any of you have dogs that will eat there food for a while then show no interest in it but force themselves to eat when nothing else is offered? We just in the last few days had that start with bruno so today I mixed a can of a/d prescription food in with her dry and boy did she go to town (she acted like she hasn't eaten in months when she surely has). I am only going to feed her 2x a day 3 cups of dry plus 1 5.5oz can of wet since she did pretty well with that this am to see if I can get her on some sort of schedule as that is what the vet said needed to happen as before she was just free eating whenever she wanted to as the dry food was always out all day til about 730pm. She isn't a real big eater and isn't putting weight on really fast which the vet said is a good thing because if she does she might end up with hip problems (this breed is known for them) shes a saint bernard.

Free feeding is not a good way to feed dogs, especially growing puppies. What kibble are you feeding her? Dogs love the canned food...it's different and more smelly than kibble. Honestly, I'd try to keep her to the kibble with some cooked vegetables (green bean, carrots, peas...) and a little fat-free plain yogurt.

She needs to have a regular feeding schedule...probably twice a day now that she's older.

 

[Cowgirl]

Of course they don't have the ability to feed themselves. But if you eat after them, you tell them "You [the dogs] are more important than myself/family and deserve to eat before me".

Ok.


I know what you're trying to say, because that's how wolves and dogs in packs act...but my animals know I'm the boss.

 

[jp2854]

Free feeding is not a good way to feed dogs, especially growing puppies. What kibble are you feeding her? Dogs love the canned food...it's different and more smelly than kibble. Honestly, I'd try to keep her to the kibble with some cooked vegetables (green bean, carrots, peas...) and a little fat-free plain yogurt.

She needs to have a regular feeding schedule...probably twice a day now that she's older.

Catt

Bruno is 10months old almost and she usually just right now will only eat 1x a day for some reason my mom is afraid that she might be losing weight that is why we added the wetfood. We feed her beaverdam high energy (puppy/adult dog food).

I need suggestions on what kind of wetfood cans to get her from the grocery store as my mom said giving her the a/d diet food I am giving picasso is too expensive for her to eat but I am afraid with the foods they been recalling that she might end up a sick puppy and I don't want that.

 

[forever jewel]

Ok.


I know what you're trying to say, because that's how wolves and dogs in packs act...but my animals know I'm the boss.

What kind of dogs do you have? Currently, bf and I have two: a older lab mix (13) and a young mini poodle mix (2) and we're considering adopting a goldenpoo puppy around Thanksgiving

 

[Cowgirl]

What kind of dogs do you have? Currently, bf and I have two: a older lab mix (13) and a young mini poodle mix (2) and we're considering adopting a goldenpoo puppy around Thanksgiving

I have a 12 yr old Airedale mix.

 

[cattitude]

Catt


I need suggestions on what kind of wetfood cans to get her from the grocery store as my mom said giving her the a/d diet food I am giving picasso is too expensive for her to eat but I am afraid with the foods they been recalling that she might end up a sick puppy and I don't want that.

Did you read my post above?

I wouldn't use the canned food.

 

[forever jewel]

I have a 12 yr old Airedale mix.

I love Airedales, they are so adorable

 

[jp2854]

yes i did read it catt...I have never cooked for any of my animals I could give it a try I guess.