Eating issues

[Susan and Bentley]

Bentley is 5 1/2 months old and is not very interested in his food.  He never wants to eat out of his bowl. I've tried a plate.  Worked for a day.  I tried adding a little steak juice to his kibble, worked for a day.  If he does eat, he wants me to put his food in his kong, which I don't mind doing - sometimes he eats then.  It's like I have to remind him he's hungry.  Once he starts eating, he gobbles if down!  My trainer told me not to add people food to his bowl which I had done a few times, and then he only ate that and left his kibble.  He's healthy and happy.  But I worry about him getting his nutrients.   Does anyone else have this issue or any suggestions? 

[Julie and Charlie]

Charlie seemed to go in spurts- weeks of wolfing down food, other times, leaving some in the bowl. One thing I do know: hungry dogs will eat. Let him regulate himself if all else is well.

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

What a cutie! My girls are kinda like this but getting better. Usually add one of the following to evening meals, yogurt, egg, cottage cheese, green beans every other week. Now in mornings I sprinkle a little brewers yeast and they gobble it up. I think this is controversial as some say it can cause bloat but I only add a little and really mix it into the kibble? They're kibble of choice right now is TOTW salmon. The way I see it dry kibble would be bland and boring to me, as long as you add something healthy what's the harm? If he eats it out of the kong maybe he likes the challenge? Btw, my girls just turned two in the past couple months. You've come to the right place, there are some real knowledgable paw parents here for guidance. I wish you luck.

[Missy]

We also struggle with food eating.  We tried adding water to make it soft, to sitting on the floor and hand feeding.  But our vet told us that he was just bored with the food and he would eat when hungry.

So, we leave the food out all day and sometimes we go thru most of the day before he eats. I put most of the food in his bowl and then a few kibbles on the floor.  I have noticed that there are days of the week he won't eat as much, and other days he gets extra scoops.  It is puzzling, but I figure I am being played and try to remain steadfast! lol

We choose to not do table food, although he would love to have some! He walks around with his nose in the air and attempts to counter surf, and I point to his food bowl. 

I too hope he is getting all that he should, but he has checked out ok so far! lol

[Judith and Griffin]

Griffin goes through phases as well.  his breakfast bowl is still full this morning.  Other times he cant' wait to get fed and gobbles up his food.  Unless it lasts a few days in a row I wouldn't worry.  Adding table food may complicate matters though... (we never do - though he sneaks it when he can!)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If your dog is healthy, he will NOT starve himself.  By switching things around (toppers, brands, bowls) to entice him to eat, you will create a picky eater that you will never be able to please.  You might be offering too much food.  The amounts on the bag are guidelines not absolutes.  One of my dogs would eat until he passed out if allowed. Ned, is not a big eater.  He used to go a day without eating. He prefers to eat by himself and used to eat at night when everything was quiet.  When we changed brands for health reasons for one of our other dogs, Ned fell in love with his food and almost always eats within 15 minutes of my setting it down.  The only time we might put a topper on food is when I need Ned to eat right away.  One recommendation is to pick the food up after 15 minutes so that the dog has to wait until the next meal.

[Susan and Bentley]

I appreciate all the feedback.  I guess he's just going through a phase - he's not interested in his food at all, I only give him the serving size his breeder told me to give him, and he doesn't even finish that.  I am only feeding him 2x a day.  If I am training him I just use his food as the treats so at least I know he's not filling up on other stuff and getting his nutrients.  He only seems to get hungry around 9pm.  And he loves to eat his food out of his kongs. I have no problem with that - he's potty trained and the kongs stimulate him.  And he's teething so badly, the only thing he really wants to eat are my walls! 

I guess I need to relax!

[Kelly & Zoe]

If you're really worried our vet recommend moistening the food with a bit of low fat/low sodium chicken broth - works like a charm.  We had the same issue initially when we brought Zoe home at 9 1/2 weeks.  Also, if Bentley is teething, it may be hard for him to chew the kibble properly which could be why he isn't gobbling it down.

At 4 1/2 months, we feed with kibble stuffed in kongs exclusively, we stopped feeding in the bowl as Zoe now scarfs her food :-)  She seems to engage much more with the toys mentally, so it works for us.  the only table scraps I give are also in the kongs or other toys, and only meat at this time (with sauces/spices wiped off).

I personally wouldn't worry about it - if the food is there, he'll eat when he's hungry, and as long as he doesn't wake you in the middle of the night to do his business cause he's eating so late, i wouldn't regulate that either.

[Susan and Bentley]

thank you Kelly.  I tried beef broth, that didn't work. I will try chicken and at that point, he'll just eat when he's hungry i guess! 

[Tammy and Violet]

Violet really does not eat until about 6p-7p at night.....she may nibble a little in the morning...I too .. put her food in the kong !! Who knew they like it that way... I pulg it up with 1/2 of a milk bone .. thanks gawd for those !!!

[Susan and Bentley]

lol - they are so funny.   He will also only eat out of his kongs.  And i bought and odd shaped one that's harder to get the food out of and of course he likes that the best!