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.

[Rhoda and Asta]

Asta's appetite decreases when the temps reach 85+.  When it's hot like that, I leave his food down and he would nibble throughout the day. I started Asta on Orejin Six Fish when he was 7 months and he loves it.

[Jenny and Cooper]

Thanks Rhoda, I might consider having him try the Orijen Six Fish. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

First, if you are free-feeding, stop. Give him his food at breakfast and dinner, give him ten minutes while you stay nearby, perhaps eating yourself, and then pick up the food and do not offer it again until the next scheduled mealtime. No cheese, no toppings, no coaxing.  A normal healthy dog will not starve himself. He will quickly learn that food is available only at certain times, there is a set menu with no substitutions, lol, and if he wants to eat, he needs to eat what is offered when it's offered.

Heat really has nothing to do with it. Dogs may eat less in hot weather, but heat doesn't cause them to become bored with their food.

Rotation diets are used to add variety to the diet and help keep dogs interested in their meals. With a rotation diet, you switch formulas within the same line of food with each new bag, not really with each meal or each day. That kind of defeats the purpose, and you'll also waste a lot of money having two opened bags of food at the same time. The idea is to periodically be able to introduce something new and exciting that he hasn't seen for a while. 

At 9 months, you should be fine switching to an adult formula. 

[Jenny and Cooper]

Thanks for the response Karen. Sorry not quite familiar with the term, but is "free-feeding" meaning he can eat anytime? Cooper gets his meals three times a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner (a total of 1 3/4 cup a day) I thought of taking his food away but I think I would feel awful doing that. I will definitely consider it if he keeps this up! For dinner, I pretended to eat his food, then placed it down for him and he ate it! It's just taking him longer to want to eat it. Maybe I just created a bad habit when I added the cheese! I'll have to stop that!

I'll try the Orijen Six Fish since he is on Orijen now. He's almost done with the bag so I'll wait to make the switch. Thanks again!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Part of the problem may be the three meals a day. By six months old, most dogs start to show less interest in eating, and that's your cue to cut back to two feedings per day. 

Yes, free-feeding means the food is left there for the dog to eat any time they feel like having a mouthful, and it's really part of the reason he seems bored with his food. It's there all the time, so he takes it for granted. No reason to feel awful about putting away food that your dog clearly doesn't want anyway. :) You would be surprised how much more interested they are in their meals when the food is only there at limited times. 

[Jenny and Cooper]

I remember saying I wonder how I would ever switch Cooper to eating twice a day because he just loves his food! Never thought I'd come to today so soon. I'm a stay at home mom so I don't have a problem feeding him 3 times a day. You're right though, I guess I'm afraid he's going to starve if he skips a meal. Lol

I haven't left the food for him to graze. I think the past three days, I have left it out for a maximum of 15 mins but during that time I was trying to get him to eat. He eventually did within 10-15 mins, and yes with me spoiling him by adding the cheese. Lol

I'd like to try the Six Fish. If he still isn't interested, I will definitely take your advice on feeding him twice a day. For now, no more pumping up his food with extra flavor. Lol Thanks!

Btw, when I switch his food to Orijen Six Fish, do I introduce it to him slowly? Give him 50/50 first???

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

He will eat the 6 Fish. He'll act like he loves it, and you'll be thrilled, lol.

And then in a few weeks after the novelty wears off, you'll be right back where you started. Then what? Another new food?

Please read this discussion. It's funny and you may recognize yourself in it, but it's also an eye-opener. http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/an-ode-...

Also, feeding three times a day is part of the reason he isn't interested in his meals. There isn;t enough time in between eating for him to digest his food and get hungry again. When your stomach is always full, you don't feel like eating. Dogs aren't kids, and they don't typically get three meals a day unless they have a health condition. 

[Jenny and Cooper]

LOL!!! I shouldn't laugh so hard because that could one day be me if I don't take your advice! I guess I didn't invent the "topping" idea. Hahahahaha ok sooooo...now I'm thinking I shouldn't even switch to Six Fish. You had mentioned earlier that he can go on adult formula? After he finishes his bag, I will just buy the same kibble but adult formula.

Thanks for pointing out that post! It was hilarious! lol

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! It's one of my very favorites ever, and that's saying a lot, lol.

I do think it would be a good idea to switch to the regular Adult Orijen before going to the 6 Fish, but either way would be fine. 

[Jenny and Cooper]

Hi Karen!  Just wanted to update you on Cooper's appetite this weekend.  Yesterday morning he was not interested in eating his breakfast at all.  It took all my will power to have him skip breakfast.  lol.  I've always told my boys "breakfast is the most important meal of the day!" and here I am letting Cooper skip his breakfast.  By lunch time, he was more willing to eat.  I pretended to eat from his bowl with a spoon while sitting on the sofa.  He came by and I spoon fed him five pebbles.  After that I laid the bowl down on the ground and he ate it! :)  At dinner time, he was more willing to eat and ate it the first time I offered it.  I was jumping up and down in joy. lol

This morning, same thing, not interested.  So I did the spoon thing on the sofa again, it worked!  I did it again for lunch and dinner.  Hope I'm not going to get scold from you for doing that. HAHAHA  I think he is slowly accepting the fact that I am not going to add any toppings to his meals. :) 

Looking forward to him finishing up his bag of food so I can buy the Adult Orijen!   

[Laura and Angus]

I just wanted to chime in and say our dog's appetite decreases when it's super hot. I always worry about it, but he will always eat something. Angus also isn't a big eater in the morning, so sometimes we'll toss on some yogurt or sweet potato to encourage him - we want him to eat before we leave because if he's going to daycare he really needs some sustenance. Karen is totally right, though (as always) ... your pup will eat when they're hungry and you wouldn't get in the habit of changing foods when you think your pup is bored because they can become a picky eater. We randomly add toppings to Angus' food, but not all the time since we don't want him to "need" the toppings at any point. If your pup is healthy, they'll eat when they get hungry...they won't starve themselves :) I say this knowing I felt the exact same worries about our pup not eating. 

[Jenny and Cooper]

Thanks Laura for your input.  I know exactly what you mean, it's so hard to let them start the day off without breakfast!  Today Cooper had class at 9 a.m. and I WANTED him to eat!  Luckily he did! 

I think I'm going to stay away from the toppings for now. lol.  I might have opened a can of worm with him.  I do still give him his "toppings" afterwards sometimes to get him to go in his playpen so I can leave the house.

I'll have to remind myself more often that they won't starve themselves! :)