Three Years Old & Losing Interest in Morning Meal?

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Hi, everyone. 

Our little guy Truffle turns three on Monday. He's about 39 lbs - good weight according to vet and healthy. Until now & for most of his life, we've fed him the Orijen adult formula twice/day (140g per meal) and he loves it. He's always been extremely food-motivated (to the point where we've occasionally dealt with guarding issues). Over the past 3-4 months, he's been much less interested in his morning meal. He's also been a bit less active than he was as a younger dood. 

He used to eat more or less immediately after waking up around 7-7:30am. Lately, however, he's only eaten after a morning walk and some coaxing, and sometimes not until 10am. This morning, for example, it is about 10am and he still has not eaten. 

I am reluctant to change up his diet in any way and I do not want to leave the food out for him to graze. We've found that a schedule works best for him, particularly with his history of food guarding.

So my question for the hive mind is this: is Truffle just getting older and perhaps doesn't require as much to eat? Perhaps it's the summer heat (although he still ate heartily last summer)? Would it make sense to cut out his morning meal and feed him once per day, giving him a slightly larger portion of kibble to eat in the evening (e.g., 200g)? 

As I mentioned above, he seems perfectly healthy and happy. Maybe he's just mellowing out in his older age...

Thanks in advance!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think that there could be several factors at work here including getting older, being a bit less active, and summer metabolism being lower than winter. And sometimes, all dogs go through changes in their eating habits. We are currently going through something similar with Jack not wanting breakfast first thing in the a.m. 

I'd try moving breakfast back a bit later if possible, and giving him less for breakfast (add more to the evening meal to make up for it).  

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Thanks for the advice, Karen. I think I'll just have to go through some trial and error to see what works best.

[Amy and Annabelle]

If it were me, I would try feeding him late morning, then again in the evening, see how that goes. I would rather spread it out if even only a few hours. If he is not as active as his younger self, maybe he isn't as hungry either. Are you feeding him for an active dog and he really isn't as active anymore? Annabelle eats the Orijen Six Fish and does seem to love it. She was not as crazy about the regular adult formula. I changed her to the Six Fish for her scratching with allergy issues and found out she loves it, so stayed with it.

Annabelle and Truffle share the same birthday, she turns 2 tomorrow on August 8th.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Happy birthday, Annabelle! Thanks for the advice.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Happy Birthday, Truffle.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Thanks for the birthday wishes, adorable doodles!