Eating dilemma

1943 Views 11 Replies 10 Participants Last post by RhodaTse, Mar 29, 2007

PFR

Discussion Starter · Mar 28, 2007

I'm having a dilemma about the girls eating?

Maggie and Jasmine will be 1 year old on the 12th of April. We have been feeding them Innova Adult small kibble, which they actually had no problem eating. Well within the past 2 weeks they have decided to go on a hunger strike(or eat a little here and there).
So I decided to try another food and also at the same time have cut out any "hand outs" that the family might be giving?
The first food I brought home was Sensible Choice lamb and rice. I was mixing that with the innova and they were eating most of it. I found Maggie actually picking the Sensible Choice out of the bowl and leaving the Innova. Well this week they decided to stop eating both. I went out and bought Canidea. Still not crazy about that? I'm at a loss now? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif
Just to let you know they are interested in food. I made my son a PB and J this morning and they were both there wanting some of the peanut butter... :hi:
Also a few weeks ago we changed bowls on them (as they found the bowl just as tasty as the food in it). so this morning I changed to another bowl thinking maybe the new ones "scared" them?

Any hints or tips would be helpful!

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martiknox

· #2 · Mar 28, 2007

My girls Brandy and Cecil did the same thing when they were about five months old. Our trainer told us to put them on Bil-Jak puppy and they just ate it up. Then when they were six months old the vet told us to start them on a reduced fat food and we got the Bil-Jak adult reduced fat and they loved it. They are now nineteen months old - getting more grown up LOL!!! We had been giving them a tablespoon of Purina Pro Line weight management turkey and vegetables with a little rice or their remaining kibble. We have been doing this for six months. Now they, especially Brandy, will not eat her morning kibble (2/3 cup) each dog. Also, left a lot in the evening (2/3 cup) each dog, to mix with the wet stuff. Now Brandy just waits to have it mixed in the evening. The only way I could get her to eat her morning kibble was to hide it in the toy box and let her adventure for it. This morning I gave in and put 1 tablespoon of the moist in with the 2/3 cup kibble. Presto...we ate. Both girls ate most of their breakfast. I think they get tired of the same old thing too, so maybe adding some good moist food ( a tablespoon) will do it. My girls have held their figures and weight by doing the recommended reduced fat and weight management thing, but I am sure some flavor assists in the enjoyment. Would you want the same thing day in and day out without a littly variety? Give that some thought and see what you think.

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cheerio

· #3 · Mar 28, 2007

Dogs do slow down their eating habits at the end of a growth spert. Their appetite can also vary with a change of weather. Dogs do it more during the winter months, as we do, and tend to eat less when it is warm. Also, some dogs will lose their apetite on rainy days as they prefer to sleep them off, or when it is very windy. Finally, dogs do eat less when they find another source of food. This happens far more often than we think, if you consider rabbit's poop, grass, even dirt...
Those variations are normal and as long as your dogs do not act sick, and that they do eat a little and drink normally, I would not worry. I would perhaps consider not leaving any food around and feeding them at a set time every day to avoid self feeding. 20 minutes after they leave their food I would remove the bowl untill the next feeding.

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RhodaTse

· #4 · Mar 28, 2007

Entice it with a tablespoon of moist can food. A trick for my senior dog who refused to eat just kibbles. The trick works, and works for Charlie too. Have to be the moist soft one, I add a teaspoon of water as gravy. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

Charlie mom

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we3beagles

· #5 · Mar 29, 2007

Maybe try soaking it in warm water to bring out the smell a bit more. I know it worked for my dogs when they ate kibble.

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BookerMoose

· #6 · Mar 29, 2007

Quote:Originally posted by we3beagles:
Maybe try soaking it in warm water to bring out the smell a bit more. I know it worked for my dogs when they ate kibble.

I agree - none of ours will eat dry kibble unless we pour boiling water over it first (the water also helps soften it if, like Moosie, your dog doesn't chew and gets the dry food stuck in his throat otherwise).

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jassy

· #7 · Mar 29, 2007

I am always interested when I see discussions regarding beagles not eating because I can't imagine Maggie leaving any food untouched anywhere. So I guess there are beagles who are not on an endless hunt for food.

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PFR

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 29, 2007

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

I'm gonna try the tablespoon of wet food in atleast one meal a day.
We've tried the water and that worked for a while and then I guess they got bored with that.
I figure if we can get one good meal a day and if they happen not to eat the other meal its ok.
See my other dilemma is Maggie has the portly figure and Jasmine is on the thin side... The good thing is the rest of the snow is gone and I'm finding them zooming around the back yard more.
Also I don't have to worry about leaving the food around for long. If the cats aren't eating it then there big brother Mick is having a midnight snack... :eyes:

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Laxmobster

· #9 · Mar 29, 2007

I have the same problem with Fin, he refuses to eat at his designated time. So usually I leave the bowl and let him snack along all night. I think he likes the comfort of knowing the food will be there when he's ready. Once I see his bowl is empty I'll give him some more, and I know he won't just gobble it down right away. It's funny cause people are always saying that Fin is TOO skinny, but I think he looks normal (he's 25lbs).

Anyways good luck with your dog, I would try some moist food to entice them.

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K & G

· #10 · Mar 29, 2007

Gage slowed down in his eating once he reached his adult size. Since he's an only pet, we just leave the food down for him to eat at his leisure. He's still always hunting for any kind of food that isn't kibble though. My sig picture shows him trying to get to the last crumbs fromt the cheez-it box.

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Genie

· #11 · Mar 29, 2007

Quote:Originally posted by jassy:
I am always interested when I see discussions regarding beagles not eating because I can't imagine Maggie leaving any food untouched anywhere.

/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif The only food Miss Shiloh leaves untouched is her kibble!! Cat food, canned food, treats, cheese, food dropped in the floor, sidewalk or ground--all are of great interest to her. But dry kibble, not so much. She will eat it, but only as a last resort.

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RhodaTse

· #12 · Mar 29, 2007

Quote:Originally posted by Laxmobster:
It's funny cause people are always saying that Fin is TOO skinny, but I think he looks normal (he's 25lbs).

Anyways good luck with your dog, I would try some moist food to entice them.

I had that comment on Charlie too 22lb, I have not weigh him for a while, maybe he is a bit heavier. Than I found out he is a 15" field beagle, slimmer smaller and taller. :biglaugh:
So, your beagle is fine and beautiful.
Yes, by all means try the moist food a tablespoon with some water makes a lot of difference.

Charlie mom

Charlie mom

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