Graycie's eating schedule is getting all out of whack!!

[gigi d]

In the past week and half, I've noticed that Graycie does not eat her breakfast 1st thing like she used to.When she does finally show interest in her bowl, she never finishes it.  I take it up and try to give it back 30 min later.  I feel like I'm begging her to eat!!!  She's basically moved back to 3-4 meals a day again by the time she eats breakfast.  Dinner is the same routine...she eats a little, walks away and then we have to try and get her to finish around 8/830pm!  She always seems to have room for treats and sniffing around for crumbs while we eat!  LOL

She eats Orijen...I prepare 1 1/3 c for the day.  (She's 6.5 months old and 17 lbs)

Any suggestions?  Thanks in advance as always!!

[Nancy and Finley]

My doodle sometimes is not hungry and I worry too.  I give digestive enzymes in his food and also an occasional can of PetKind green tripe.  It is supposed to be excellent for digestion and they love it!  It is stinky so I split a can between my two dogs.  It is gone in a minute. I also add probiotics.   These are all good preventatives for digestive health.  I still notice that if I give my doodle a bit of cheese it may not agree with him while my cocker spaniel is ok with it.  I do give my dogs healthy human cooked and raw food especially made for them.  I feel it boosts the nutritional value in their diet and follow guidelines that were given to me by their holistic vet.  My doodle was a poop eater as a puppy, probably until he was about 9 months, and so the holistic vet warned me about keeping his digestive tract healthy and supplementing with pro and pre- biotics. 

Also, I recently saw an old episode of the Dog Whisperer and a Newfoundland was a picky eater.  They increased his exercise and he started eating normally after a visit to the "Center".  Something to think about.   I know my dogs could use more exercise.  They love it! 

[gigi d]

OK so after giving Graycie a bland diet today (she threw up 2x early morning, despite a nite snack b4 bedtime)...I think the antibiotics are upsetting her tummy perhaps??  Anyway, she seems to LOVE the plain rice and chicken....it has made me think about homeade food and how realistic it is to try and give some home cooked foods??

I can't wait til her last dose of antibiotics is done tomorrow!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's common for antibiotics to upset their stomachs. I should have told you to give her a Pepcid AC about 30 minutes before giving the meds, it really helps with that. 

Once she's reached her full skeletal growth, you can explore options like homemade food; it can be done, but it requires some work and a good recipe with the appropriate supplements (calcium and some other minerals, plus fatty acids). And keep in mind that homemade food only contains about half the calories per cup of most kibbles, so you need to feed twice as much. I considered doing it for Jack, but it would have required 8 cups of homemade food per day! 

There are also options like Honest Kitchen, which you mix with water and can add your own protein. 

But for growing puppies, i really think it's best to stick with kibble if you can. 

[gigi d]

Karen thank you for your reassurance!!  one more day of antibiotics...you are so knowledgable and grateful whenever you reply!!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Gigi. :)