Too busy to eat?

[MatthewG]

Lin my almost 16 month lab, has changed the way she eats. She used to wolf down her food in about a minute or two. But in the last couple of weeks she'll eat a couple of bites and go check out what we're doing and then go back and take a couple of more bites and then run and see what's out side. It's almost like she's too busy to eat. Lately she doesn't finish her food. At first I thought I was just feeding her too much so I cut down a bit but she still left some. If I add something like an egg she'll finish it off right away.

So my question is she simply to busy to eat or does she not like her food?
If she is too excited to finish eating is there anything I can do?

[Carrie]

It's a rare Lab who is too picky about food. What are you feeding her? I think she's just young and busy. My Doberman is like that. I'll leave it down for about 15 minutes and if he's not that interested, I'll pick it up till later....maybe 1/2 a day. I don't make him wait till the next meal time if he makes it known that he's hungry. I don't mind that he doesn't eat it all at once....less chance of bloat. I wouldn't worry too much about it. She's young and there are so many things to see. LOL.

[Shadowkins]

Carrie is right! I wouldn't worry too much, sounds like she has better things to do for the moment.
My boy will do that sometime as well, just doesn't seem to be hungry for breakfast ...so he just leaves it and will eat his supper just fine.
They certainly won't let themselves starve... they are just like us , some days food isn't a big deal. Mind you if this went on for too long and there were other signs that would indicate your pup isn't up to snuff, then I would see a vet.

[calgal]

I've never seen or heard of a dog who would pass up "real" food unless they are terribly ill. So maybe she is telling you something!

[Carrie]

My Dobe just turned three. If he's been terribly ill for 3 years, I haven't noticed. LOL. I hope not. Lots of times he won't eat his morning meal but decides he'd like his dinner. I don't think it's that abnormal at all. After all, in nature, dogs go for days and days sometimes without a successful hunt and then they get something and gorge.

My girl Chi often skips a meal too. But I won't let that tiny dog skip more than one. I'll put something special on top the next meal if she doesn't feel like eating. They're prone to hypoglycemia though, on account of there tiny size. But she's a robust girl and usually eats both meals.

It's actually good for them to fast one day a week according to a nutrition guru on another forum I visit.

But I agree that if he goes too long or displays other signs of illness, lethargy, pain, discomfort....see a vet. It sounds by your description that he's just plain got too many things to do and not enough time. LOL.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Well let's see. Mine will fast a day or two. This is completely normal for their breed though. They probably do this more often than other breeds. If I get too uncomfortable with how long they are going without eating, I will sometimes add a little bit of chicken broth or a teency bit of hamburger grease in their food. This is of course mixed with hot water. The grease gives just enough to taste (talk about an artery blocker for humans LOL).

I think it's normal. Just a puppy wanting to be everywhere, every minute. If Kelso didn't eat right away, I'd pick it up and offer it at his next feeding. He usually ate his next once he skipped a meal during the day.

[GSD Keira]

i wouldnt worry too much unless she stops eating or her health suffers because of it. Keira does this too. Sometimes shell pick at it, and sometimes she wont eat at all. Depends on a few things, her surroundings, if i leave the room, she wont eat. If its morning and she didnt poop, she wont eat until she does. If she ate too late the night before, she wont eat til later in the day. Or if they are too many distractions. Sometimes heat is a factor. She is very picky! And a puppy! So dont worry too much like i said.