Clearly something is wrong with Murphy!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

My Murphy can do one thing faster than any dog I have ever met and that is finish off his bowl of food in seconds! I have even gotten him the bowl with the bumps in it to slow him down being as I worried about bloat as he ate so fast. We call him Hoover and have timed him just for laughs as it is SO quick. It didn't seem like he even chewed or breathed.

However, this week I have noticed Bella finishing before him, (she's pretty quick too but he's usually done before her) and then standing around waiting for Murphy to finish. Hummm....the first day I thought this was odd, but didn't pay too much attention, and it was only a matter of 20-30 seconds. The next day it was longer and today I watched as Murphy slowly took a bite, moved his mouth out of the bowl and chewed, then slowly repeated this process. Very unusual! Minutes went by and for once he didn't look like a crazed hungry dog being threatened to have his food taken away any second like he always has.

Why the change? What's different? He has been getting less homecooked these past 2 months since our  son's two dogs were here\ and they don't get real food. Can he be bored with just kibble although I still add yogurt and veggies to it.   The son and 2 dogs moved out Sunday and this started on Monday?Maybe that's it? The amount is the same that he's been getting for months. 1 1/2 cups 2 x a day. Just switched from Fromm back to Candidae which I do on occasion, so nothing new there. Could it be he is more relaxed with 2 less dogs here?

But Bella is still here and he's always done it even when no other dogs were around. I don;t get it. I even checked inside his mouth to see if all their rough-housing has caused a loose tooth or injury to the inside of his mouth. Nothing.

Have any of you had your dog just slow down his eating pattern for no apparent reason? If he starts leaving food in his bowl I'll be really worried as that would be very odd for him.

 

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think it is just the change and two less dogs.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think so too.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I am hoping it was a change in the household, but he is even slower today. Took forever to eat and he came to his bowl and just looked at it for a few seconds like he was trying to decide if he even wanted it. DH wasn't too alarmed until today when he said "this is a significant change". He otherwise seems fine, stools are good, playful. Much more moppy since the other 2 left, but I thought he was just tired, (depressed?) and I have been so busy with cleaning and in and out that we haven;'t done much else for 4 days.

I don;t know. I checked his mouth, but I will look again. Do they get sore throats?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Calla is fast and thorough when it comes to food. But there are times when she doesn't start to eat immediately, or leaves food, temporarily, in her bowl. Sometimes this continues for a day or two. Then she's back to her usual bowl polishing. No rhyme or reason.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Maybe the changes in the household have thrown his system off balance a bit?

[Pam & Trixie]

I really hope Murphy is ok.

My previous fast eaters only slowed down when they were sick.

I would keep a close eye on him & if it doesnt improve bring him in to be seen.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Maybe Murphy is just savouring his food now that there aren't three dogs waiting for him to finish.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Could be he is bite depressed with the 'loss' of 3 playmates. I know when Mickey leaves both my girls mope around and it effects how much they eat. They don't eat fast but I do notice that they don't finish their dinner for days.

I would also check to make sure there isn't a piece of wood from a stick caught in between Murphy's teeth. I found a small piece in Samantha's that bothered her to chew.

Keep us posted.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I am going to check more throroughly again. He has just NEVER done this. I am trying chicken and rice tonight and if he eats that slowly I will know something is up

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Could be slight depression, but if it continues, I would take him to the vet. Trust your instinct. If Peri did this, I would be alarmed.

Not to scare you, and this is a totally different situation, but my sis's chihuahua was acting weird while I visited her last week.  He was not eating as quickly and seemed "off".  I told her to take him in. She did and he has an infection in this mouth. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sue, How is Murphy doing today??

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Just checked in to see if there was an update as well!