Food question

1796 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Sam, Jan 9, 2008

Sam

Discussion Starter · Jan 9, 2008

Is it possible for puppies to become fussy eaters or to suddenly lose interest in a certain type of food? Sam was being fed Eukanuba puppy biscuits by the breeder and I've continued this. I've added the odd different meal here and there. Tinned food just makes his poos too soft and mushy. (ew!) Lately, I've noticed that he's losing interest in his biscuits. Today, the biscuits that I put out for breakfast were still untouched when I checked on him at lunch time. He eats other stuff but just seems to have lost interest in the biscuits. I'm thinking he's got bored with them. Is it possible for puppies to get bored with food?

He does the same thing with liver treats. Yesterday, he turned his nose up at them. He simply sniffed, little lick and then walked away. Needless to say, I changed treats. I'm a bit apprehensive doing this because I don't want him to turn into a fussy eater.

Any suggestions?

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Lori2147

· #2 · Jan 9, 2008

I'm not sure about this one, but I'm sure someone will have some suggestions. I have a couple of questions.

Do you leave Sam's food out all day? I've read that it's best to set the food down for 15 - 20 minutes. If it hasn't been eaten in that time, pick it up and repeat the process for the next feeding time.

Also, I'd check to make sure he's not having any dental problems.

That's all I can think of for now.

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Sam

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 9, 2008

I've never left his food out. I usually leave it out for a few minutes then remove it. Today is the first time I left it out in the morning because I was running late for work.

I suspect the teeth might be an issue. I've tried wetting his biscuits and it sometimes works.

Thanks for your suggestions though. You have such a cute puppy avatar.

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annabelles mom

· #4 · Jan 9, 2008

what other food are you feeding him besides biscuits? Biscuits should be used for a treat only, they should have kibble for meals.

I've always fed my dogs Iams and my labs decided they didnt want it anymore so I switched to Iams lamb and rice food and they were fine. Annabelle was eating Iams beef and was getting finicky so we switched her to Iams Natural and she loves it, havent had a problem since. Just remember is you switch food to do it over time - mixing the new in with the old and slowly decreasing the amount of the older food

Good luck !

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MaxandMe

· #5 · Jan 9, 2008

SAm most puppies do what you describe....i am leaving for work and for now say do a search on this topic

the other thing is to pick up his foodbowl and act like YOU LOVE IT and keep pushing him away like he can't have any. OH yeah make yummy sounds then put it down.

trick #2 put some pineapple in it

trick #3 take food up and wait till next meal and serve again

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lmtoth2

· #6 · Jan 9, 2008

trick #3 take food up and wait till next meal and serve again

I am a firm believer in trick #3. I think if you give in and make the food taste better by adding more to it, your puppy will get used to that and then refuse to eat unless you add stuff. Now I'm not saying let him go multiple days w/o eating, but he will not be harmed by skipping a meal. We did this with Dex and when he didn't eat in the morning, he pounded that food in the evening. We also were making trips home at lunch when he was at that point and we would offer his food to him then (I'm not a meanie)

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DebBrown

· #7 · Jan 9, 2008

I'm with Leslie. I never add extras to the food but I don't want it to be expected. Pretty much any treat is going to be more interesting than the kibble they are fed day after day.

It seems like Sam is at the age where Charlie started losing interest in breakfast. He is always hungry for dinner but breakfast is not so important to him. Now I give him a smaller portion in the morning and more at night.

Deb

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KGarro

· #8 · Jan 9, 2008

When Uma was a puppy she was a voracious eater. She'd jump on the dish as soon as we'd let her and eat every little bit, but as she grew up that's died down. Most morning she's disinterested in her breakfast, but will eat it around 5:00pm and then pick at her dinner. Unless, of course, we go to the park or doing something really active, then she jumps on the dish like a puppy.

I talked to my vet about it and bottom line, a dog isn't going to starve to death. She'll eat when she eats.

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daissyj

· #9 · Jan 9, 2008

Hi!

Yes, I pretty much agree with everyone else! I sometimes get heat for this, but I don't feel like dogs need to be babied into eating anything. I actually do the same with my kids! They eat what I fix or they can wait until the next meal. They aren't going to starve and need to learn that momma isn't going to cook separate meals for everyone! :? Of course, this is all within reason.

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gene

· #10 · Jan 9, 2008

daissyj said:
I actually do the same with my kids! They eat what I fix or they can wait until the next meal.

My Mom had a sampler hanging in the kitchen when I was little that said..........

Tonight you have two choices for dinner,
Take it, or leave it!!

There were many times I wish I had opted for the latter......she wasn't a very good cook! :shock: :lol:

On the dog food issue, I did have to entice Miko for a while to eat. She would just tease Jonah by not eating, then growl and snap when he approached it. I started putting yogurt on top of her food and she couldn't resist it and got over the teasing....most of it anyway. She's still a slow eater.

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Sam

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 9, 2008

annabelles mom said:
what other food are you feeding him besides biscuits? Biscuits should be used for a treat only, they should have kibble for meals.

Oops, I meant kibble. Admittedly, I'm a believer in "you eat what you're given" and I've been lifting the food bowl and serving it the next meal. Thanks for the reassurance.

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