To cater to his wants or not

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack Daniels is the most incredible frustrating dog to feed. Treats are a joke to him, He smells them and walks away. I am not feeding him Orijen. His stools are great however, just like before, he is not eating anywhere near the amount of food in his weight range.

 

I finally think I figured it out. I was only feeding him one time a day, putting in his daily requirements in the bowl and letting him pick at it all day. The thing is, he will only eat a little as soon as I put it down, Once it has sat, it always has some form of wet food in it, or egg or some source to entice him to eat. That is it, he won't touch it again, so whatever he doesn't eat in the morning sits there. He won't touch it again for the rest of the day, if I leave it over night, he still won't touch it. He will wait it out all day until I dump the food in the bowl and give him fresh.

 

So I started breaking it up into two servings feeding him once in the morning and once at night. He still doesn't eat anywhere near his requirement. Today, I took a chance and I put 1/4 cup of food in the morning with half teaspoon of wet, 1/4 cup orijen in the afternoon with half teaspoon of wet, and for dinner the same. He for the first time ever has eaten his total daily requirement that is suggested for his weight.

 

When he was a puppy, I fed him three times a day but I honestly thought I could just leave it down but he doesn't seem to like it unless it is fresh. I don't mind feeding him three times a day when I am home but a lot of times we are not home all day. Do you think he is just being spoiled or that his stomach really can't hold that much food. He is about 12 pounds?

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

I mean to say I AM feeding him Orijen, not not,

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most of us feed our adult dogs twice a day. It's healthier for them to have several small meals vs one large one, just like it is for us, too. I see nothing wrong with breaking it into three meals, either, if that's what works for you & for Jack.

On days when you are not going to be home for the middle feeding, divide  the day's rations into two equal parts and give him one half in the morning and one half at night. Even if he doesn't eat all of the first meal, he'll probably be hungry for the second one.

I don't think you are spoiling him by dividing his calories throughout the day rather than all at once. I like my food fresh, too!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks Karen, You know sometimes I feel like I am the biggest numb skull in all the world. Why it took me two years to figure this out is just horrible.   I too like my meals spread out, I actually eat five small meals a day. I am going to do what you say, It never dawned on me that he cared about how fresh it is.. Thanks again Karen, You have no idea how helpful you are to Jack and I both...

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

I agree with what has been said :)

Kirby is a picky eater too and likes to eat on his own schedule.  Since Dex has been hurt, we started free feeding Kirby and he is doing so well.  We add new food to his bowl twice a day (he also seems to prefer fresh food).  Sometimes he eats throughout the day and sometimes he decides at 10 pm to eat everything.  Once Dex is better this will have to end or Dex will wind up 100 lbs.

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Jack's feeding schedule is identical to my chihuahua's, aka pickiest eater on planet!  It works for him, so this is the way I go.  A little in the a.m., little midday, little at night.  He sits on his bed when he is ready to eat and will run out to get me and lead me to his feeding area (he sits in his bed and eats out of the bowl next to him - what a weird eater).

[Renee Bogi]

I used to have that problem.  A pet store recommended mixing people baby food (chicken, beef or turkey) into the dry kibble.  The chicken was my 2 pup's favorite.  Also, a friend mentioned mixing greek yougart in the dry kibble.

now my 2 free feed.  I leave some kibble in their cage in a stainless steel bowl on the side with a second bowl for ice.  they have a dog walker mid day so they have never had an issue.  they nibble just a bit but never finishes it anyway.

 

have you tried to mix kibble and wet food into a kong and freeze it.  (get a larger than needed size.  I use the one that is just large enough to fit my finger to the far end so its easier to clean.  my 2 love to eat the kong during the day (or in your case just give it as a "treat" in the am instead of (or along with) feeding time.  Mine love it and i know they ate something during the day.  i freeze a batch for the week (in freezer baggies) and then give out 1 a day.