eating?

[Dana]

Our 6 month of old puppy doesn't seem to eat very much.  We used to feed him 3 times a day.. He was not eating his lunch but would eat his breakfast and dinner.  We decided that maybe we should just feed him 2 times.  Now it seems as though he barely eats that.  We only leave his food down for 20-30 minutes and take away.  Is this normal for him to not be eating much?  People says he on the thin side.. but he gets a run or walk everyday.  He poops regularly and has great energy! Answers?!

[F, Calla & Luca]

He's probably not growing just as much right now. This sounds fine and lean is better in terms of health.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree completely. Unless the "people" who say he is on the thin side are veterinarians, I wouldn't worry, as long as his energy is good and there are no digestive issues. He's eating enough for his current level of growth, and as F said, "the thin side" is always better than the alternative. :)

[Dana]

thanks so much!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I agree as well.

Luna had some periods growing up when she wouldn't eat as much.  I wouldn't worry about it unless he seems sluggish or his behavior changes dramatically.

[Dana]

thanks:)

[Riley girl]

Has he always been on the same kibble? Maybe he doesn't like the taste?

When Riley joined our family she was being fed a very low quality food and would barely eat 2 cups a day. (she was 18 pounds and the vet said she was a couple of pounds under weight at almost 3 months old) I switched her to a higher quality food (Organix puppy) and she ate better, but still not as much as her vet wanted. I decided to switch her again (Simply Nourish large breed puppy food) and now she eats like a pig! At 4 months old (34 pounds) she eats between 4 and 5 cups of dry food a day (split between breakfast and dinner.)

If you think he likes his food, then I agree with everyone that has posted so far =)

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Be careful about changing your doodle's food because you think he's "board" with it.  Please check out the many discussions about "Picky Eaters"!  Changing foods over and over because we think our dogs become "board" with their food is one of the best ways to create a "picky eater".  I'm guilty of doing this for the last 4 years, but have been reformed!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep. Lots and lots of discussions about this in The Food Group. 

[Dana]

Now if I could just figure out where this is that I can find this info!? Lol still new to site! Exploring:) any helpful hints will be welcomed:) thanks everyone!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Use the tabs in orange at the top of the page, especially the Help tab, to help you find your way around and familiarize yourself with the site. We have groups for just about everything, lol, under the groups tab. Here's a link to The Food Group: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

At the top of the page is a search box.  I typed "Picky Eaters" and hit search.  It took me to many, many discussions about food and handeling picky eaters.  The advice I received from Karen, J, F, and many other food experts on DK saved me from continuing to make the same mistakes over and over.  

I repeat this brillant piece of advice to myself every time Fozzie chooses not to eat all of his food...

             "A healthy dog will not starve himself to death!"

Good luck, food is such an emotional issue for us humans, I wish I could walk away from my dish as easily as Fozzie :>)))

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You hit it exactly, Cathy. For many humans, food is an emotional issue. But it isn't for dogs, unless we make it one. So many people want their dogs to seem to love their food because it makes the person feel good, lol.