Not wanting to eat out of a bowl and pawing face

[Heather Martinez]

Teddy is a 7 month-old goldendoodle. We currently feed him twice a day. He always gobbled up his food, but recently has started eating more slowly. Then he started leaving some of the food in his bowl. He always finished it before the next feeding though.

In the past couple of days, he won't even start eating his food if it's in his bowl. If we dump it on the floor he will eat it. His bowl is stainless steel and it's definitely gotten a bit small for his face, his muzzle takes up most of the bowl. However, we also tried feeding him in a wide ceramic dish and he wouldn't eat that way either. In the past week or so we've had some hot weather, so I thought that could also be part of the problem. He's been less interested in treats too, but does eat them.

Another issue that may or may not be related. Teddy has been lying on the floor, pawing at his face (muzzle area) with both paws and sometimes making a noise. He's done this before, especially right after eating and I thought it was teething pain. But I think he has all his adult teeth now. 

I checked his ears, rubbed them and touched them and he did not react at all, so I don't think he was pawing at his ears. 

Teddy has been eating 3 cups of Purina One large breed puppy food per day, and tomorrow I'm going to start transitioning him to Acana food after reading the Food Group. He otherwise seems perfectly healthy.

Please let me know if anyone had these issues or if I'm just a worrywart. Thanks!!

[Val MacQueen and Jasper]

Hi I wondered if you have checked inside his mouth and his teeth and inside his lips to see if there are any cuts of anything like a small stick or pebble is stuck there, this may cause him to paw at his mouth.

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

Also, is it possible that he could have been stung by a bee on his muzzle? That happened to one of our dogs once.

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

Coco did that with her Purina One also. I am trying her on Nutro, Natural Balance now. I have been trying to find the right food for a while now! I am hoping I got the right one!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

He is telling you to change his food (lol, I am a food groupee!).  See how he does after the transition.  I bet he hates that stainless bowl too - many dogs do.  But I know you have tried ceramic.

If this continues and he just doesn't seem right, take him in.

I agree with others to check for cuts, etc...

[shelly]

Funny you mention the stainless bowl.  Try changing to a plastic or ceramic bowl, with no pattern in it - just plain colors... Tori will NOT eat and will NOT especially drink from the stainless bowls.  Maybe it's the shine or something, but she too paws at it.  I think it may have to do with the reflection it makes.  Maybe their vision can not distinguish exactly where the food or water is???? Just my unscientific opinion.... my DH wouldn't believe me.  He said "leave it there, she'll eat or drink when she's hungry enough", but "WE" proved him wrong!  He actually couldn't believe it himself!!!  LOL

[Heather Martinez]

Thanks for the great advice, everyone!

I gave Teddy his new food this morning, just 1/3 cup of the Acana to start and he yummed it up from his bowl. Then I refilled the bowl with his Purina One and he picked at it. So I am hoping it is just that he is tired of the Purina.

I am also going to get him a new, larger ceramic bowl. The large dish I tried had a pattern and it was not designed for dogs.

The bee sting is a good point too, I caught him trying to play with a bee yesterday! There are tons in the park and he can't stop himself. I'll check his mouth for cuts or sores tonight.