No longer thrilled about his meals

[Jenny and Cooper]

Hi Everyone, I searched this group regarding doodles not being interested in their food and it seems like it is a normal thing. Cooper used to look forward to his meals. Now he would sniff it and walk away as if to say that's not what he wants on the menu. Sadly he doesn't realized has only one item on the menu lol. This morning I had to add some cheese to it and he finally ate it.

I also read that heat might have something to do with it. It has been HOT here in Southern CA, 95-100!

Someone mentioned about switching formula. Cooper is now on Orijen Puppy. Oh and he is 9 months old. Should I try the Orijen Six Fish??? What would you recommend? Should I switch between two types so he is not eating the same food everyday?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Laura and Angus]

Totally understandable. You might consider getting rid of lunch now, so that he'll be hungrier at the other designated meal times. Or if you're not comfortable going cold turkey...just decrease the amount you give for lunch for a week and then lunch can disappear altogether. We went cold turkey in our house...our pup still does not have a big appetite in the morning and he's generally incredibly lazy. He eventually eats right before he leaves the house when we're in the kitchen. So if you're not in the place where Cooper's food is, you might consider either sitting in the kitchen with him or bringing the food to where you are. There was just a discussion recently about some other people having doodles who don't want to eat when you are not in the room with them...this is how Angus is for breakfast. He is really only wanting to eat when we're in the kitchen doing things and then leaves the room when we do...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with this, and in fact suggested it up above; both giving up the lunch feeding and sitting nearby when he's fed. 

[Laura and Angus]

Oh! Well that's what I get for not read each comment carefully ;) Glad I was on the right track then!

[Jenny and Cooper]

Thanks Laura. I gave Cooper a little bit more breakfast yesterday anticipating he might skip lunch. He ended up eating lunch but I gave him less lunch so I don't over feed him. I will do that again today. I gave him his normal breakfast but I'll begin to slowly give him less and less lunch. I think I'm more comfortable with this method than the cold turkey :) Interesting, maybe sitting right in front of Cooper helped him eat!

[Laura and Angus]

I bet! It's definitely been mentioned a lot recently on DK by other owners too. Doodles are a funny, goofy breed for sure :) I think that's totally fine if you feel more comfortable weaning him off lunch...whatever works for you all at home as long as the outcome is the same, right?

[Mary ann & Lincoln]

Funny , Lincoln is a year old and used to be a food junkie!   We even got him the slo feeder bowl. He does not eat breakfast for a while now.  He will someitmes eat lunch, or later in the after noon he comes over to me and kinda chews..  then I give him some food ( about a cup) and he will eat it.  He usually still eats his dinner (2 cups) , but I don't want to just give him 1 meal a day.  If he doesn't eat his lunch and then I give him his 2 cups of dinner, he will come over to me and chew again for more!   He is still on puppy formula (not large breed) , so not sure if that has anyhting to do with it.

He had been sick with Pano ( his legs) , so we had to change his food ( from Verus to Fromm)  since he would not eat it anymore. Did not like Annamet at all.  Not sure if he related to being sick or the meds in his food.