Appettite change

rmci · 04-09-2007, 12:30 PM

When Rusty was a pup I had to place a ball in his food to slow him down. He's a year & 1/2. I'd feed him the same amount that I'd feed Baxter. Baxter is 55 lbs and Rusty's only 30 lbs and thin. Lately he's slowed his eating down, way down, to the point of not being interested in his food after a couple of bites. He doesn't have any signs of a medical problem; has plenty of energy, drinking his normal amount, doing his busingess without a hitch, teeth look fine, has no problems eating treats.

What I am wondering is, do dogs after they are done growing change their eating habits?

Over the weekend I dropped his food quantity down to where a normal 30lb dog should be and if he didn't eat it after 10 minutes, picked it up.

IceyBlueSibes · 04-09-2007, 04:47 PM

I think it is not uncommon for a dog to do that. When they are puppy's they seem to scarf their food because they had their siblings to compete with. In the wild, they had to eat what they could because there was no telling when their next meal would be.

When Sheiba and Denali were puppies, they'd eat their food in a heart beat. They now will go a meal, or a day/two days without really eating.

If there are no signs of medical problems, I wouldn't be worried. One thing I would watch for would be his wait. If he started to get too skinny, I'd take him to have him checked.

ginastags2315 · 04-09-2007, 04:59 PM

Yes, after dogs are done growing and get older they usually eat less. Abbey's 7 years old, and most days she doesn't even finish her food. Now she usually only eats all her food right away if she sees Mufasa trying to get it.

Mufasa's 7 months old now and he stopped eating as fast as he used to.

If he doesn't seem sick and is still acting normal, then he's probably fine.

TinyAlbinoDancer · 04-09-2007, 06:34 PM

Could he be bored with that formula/brand of dog food?

rmci · 04-10-2007, 08:28 AM

Thanks, I feel better.
He might be bored with it. He eats a few bites, then runs around playing. If I or Baxter walks near his dish he runs over and starts eating again. Then off he goes playing again.

04-09-2007, 12:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
rmci aka Red Dogs Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,221 Rep Power: 86	Appettite change When Rusty was a pup I had to place a ball in his food to slow him down. He's a year & 1/2. I'd feed him the same amount that I'd feed Baxter. Baxter is 55 lbs and Rusty's only 30 lbs and thin. Lately he's slowed his eating down, way down, to the point of not being interested in his food after a couple of bites. He doesn't have any signs of a medical problem; has plenty of energy, drinking his normal amount, doing his busingess without a hitch, teeth look fine, has no problems eating treats. What I am wondering is, do dogs after they are done growing change their eating habits? Over the weekend I dropped his food quantity down to where a normal 30lb dog should be and if he didn't eat it after 10 minutes, picked it up.
	__________________ The reason a dog has so many friends; he wags his tail instead of his tongue

04-09-2007, 04:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,670 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 268	I think it is not uncommon for a dog to do that. When they are puppy's they seem to scarf their food because they had their siblings to compete with. In the wild, they had to eat what they could because there was no telling when their next meal would be. When Sheiba and Denali were puppies, they'd eat their food in a heart beat. They now will go a meal, or a day/two days without really eating. If there are no signs of medical problems, I wouldn't be worried. One thing I would watch for would be his wait. If he started to get too skinny, I'd take him to have him checked.
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

04-09-2007, 04:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
ginastags2315 Abbey, Muffin, & Mufasa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 273 Rep Power: 38	Yes, after dogs are done growing and get older they usually eat less. Abbey's 7 years old, and most days she doesn't even finish her food. Now she usually only eats all her food right away if she sees Mufasa trying to get it. Mufasa's 7 months old now and he stopped eating as fast as he used to. If he doesn't seem sick and is still acting normal, then he's probably fine.
	__________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner

04-09-2007, 06:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,537 Rep Power: 162	Could he be bored with that formula/brand of dog food?
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

04-10-2007, 08:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
rmci aka Red Dogs Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,221 Rep Power: 86	Thanks, I feel better. He might be bored with it. He eats a few bites, then runs around playing. If I or Baxter walks near his dish he runs over and starts eating again. Then off he goes playing again.
	__________________ The reason a dog has so many friends; he wags his tail instead of his tongue

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