She's not eating consistently...

[Novice]

My dog(Passion) will eat all of her food in the morning and won't do so in the evening or vice versa, or at both times. I don't if she's just being stubborn, but when I add Peanut butter to her food or canned meat on weekends she gobbles it up. Other times, she won't eat the dry food and I'll hold some out in my hand and she'll eat from my hand. The vet said, she's a pup and just more interested in playing than eating and that seemed to be the case at first, but now I'm not sure. I use the servings on the dog food bag as a guideline and sI usually give her the serving on the lower end, since she doesn't eat all of her food all the time. Currently she gets about 2 cups twice a day(mornings and evenings). She's a Pit bull and she's now 5 months and she's gaining her weight consistently. She gained a 1/2" on chest width, ~1" head circumference, ~1/2" neck circumference, and ~ 8lbs. So she is growing.

[Novice]

Also, I'm feeding her Nutro Max.

[calgal]

You've heard the saying "they will eat with hungry", but I don't give in to that 100%. I've had dogs in the past that I tried that with and they nearly starved, and got sick. I never have a problem with dogs not eating, and haven't had since I went back to "real" food. Fed real food for 30 years, then thought I'd start feeding Innova and also a couople others before going back to real. Your girl sounds like she may be eating enough since filling out nicely. Just watch that she doesn't start losing weight. I'm sure she will be fine. If your really worried, then just pour some juice off that grilled steak on to the dry dog food. Give her some raw red meat, raw chicken legs and wings.

[Novice]

Originally Posted by calgal

You've heard the saying "they will eat with hungry", but I don't give in to that 100%. I've had dogs in the past that I tried that with and they nearly starved, and got sick. I never have a problem with dogs not eating, and haven't had since I went back to "real" food. Fed real food for 30 years, then thought I'd start feeding Innova and also a couople others before going back to real. Your girl sounds like she may be eating enough since filling out nicely. Just watch that she doesn't start losing weight. I'm sure she will be fine. If your really worried, then just pour some juice off that grilled steak on to the dry dog food. Give her some raw red meat, raw chicken legs and wings.

Thanks for the reply. As I type, she just left her kennel/crate/cage from eating some of her food. She was reluctant to eat any of it at first,(standing there and moping around), now she just came back and started eating again. *shrugs* I guess she has to eat, walk around, then eat, and so on.

[britishbandit]

I'd give a good look at how much you should be feeding her. Check the chart on the back of the food. Tysa is 2 years old, and 85lbs, and she only needs 2 1/4 cups twice a day on the food I have her on. Maybe your gal is not eating on occasion because she simply doesn't need as much as you are giving.
Just a thought!

[Novice]

Originally Posted by britishbandit

I'd give a good look at how much you should be feeding her. Check the chart on the back of the food. Tysa is 2 years old, and 85lbs, and she only needs 2 1/4 cups twice a day on the food I have her on. Maybe your gal is not eating on occasion because she simply doesn't need as much as you are giving.
Just a thought!

Maybe that's what it is. I was following the feeding chart on the back of the bag and that's why I thought she was under-eating. By what your dog is eating, maybe I have been feeding her too much(putting too much in her bowl). Maybe going back to 1.5 cups twice a day will be enough.

[Novice]

I think that she's just being stubborn. She won't eat much, but when we put the food in our hands, she starts eating away.

[Novice]

I'm truly frustrated. Not only does she not eat the 4 cups of food I give her (even after I added a lil' canned food), she doesn't even get right to eating at times. Sometimes she'll go in take a few bites, then walk and lie down or play (most of the time it's the latter). I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I know she's a puppy and all, but a dog shouldn't be this interested in playing and not eating. Has anyone else had problems like this?

[bigdoglover]

For our working dogs, especially when they are pups, we feed in the crate. BUT....we put the food in with them for 15 minutes. If they haven't eaten by then, we pull the food. They have to wait til next time. It works for me.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Unless she's losing weight, or showing signs of illness... I really would not be concerned with this situation. Some dogs just don't eat very much, or prefer to eat their meals spread out. I'd do as BDL suggested, and only leave her meal down for about 15 minutes. If she doesn't finish it, or eat any... it has to be picked up and given at her next meal.

[sammy]

Originally Posted by bigdoglover

For our working dogs, especially when they are pups, we feed in the crate. BUT....we put the food in with them for 15 minutes. If they haven't eaten by then, we pull the food. They have to wait til next time. It works for me.

Yep. That's my strategy too. Don't get mad or try to coax the dog to eat. Just pick it up after 10-15 minutes and put it away. Don't offer it again until the next meal time ~ 8-12 hours later. That's not a difficult think to do with kibble . More of a PIA if you've put water on it or mixed in canned. I do think plain kibble is pretty nasty thoughand sooo dry so I would either add water or feed 50% canned. If you're consistent this won't be a problem for long- it won't be that much money down the drain.

[Dark Retriever]

My Siberian Husky does the same thing...strangly enough it's like she keeps a steady weight by herself. If she starts to gain a little more weight she'll suddenly do a fast until she's back to her original weight.