Picky picky eater

[spinkamor]

Our GSD just turned 6 months, and he seems to always seems to have a lack of appetite after eating the same food for over a month. We've fed him Acana (which he couldn't handle because of the protein content), then we switched to Now, which he was good on for a while, then stopped eating. Then we switched to Performatrin and he had a healthy appetite for a month or so. And now he's been refusing to eat for the past few days. We fed him some leftover Iams that we got for free to see if he will eat it. His appetite suddenly came back and he finished 4 bowls in a sitting!

We are taking him to the vet this week to see if there is anything physically wrong with him. But it seems that he just gets bored of the food.
Our vet always tells us to add yogurt to their food if they have a lack of appetite. However, I don't want to have to add stuff to it to entice him to eat. Our trainer also says it's a bad idea to have to add special sauces/yogurt to make them eat. We usually take him out for a walk before meals and we always make him wait before feeding him to make him "work for it".

Any suggestions?

[Mary Beth]

I suggest you decide on one type of food and stick with it. If you put something extra in the food put it on the bottom, so he can eat his way down. Put the food down -leave it for 20 minutes. If he doesn't eat after 20 minutes - calmly take the food away. Do not give him any treats or extras when has not eaten his meal. Just put the food down again at the next meal time. He will eat when he is hungry. Because he has learned that when he doesn't eat, you will switch foods, he is going to test you and hold out. He may refuse to eat for 3 or 4 days - that will not hurt him, he will not starve.

[spinkamor]

The thought of him not eating for 3 or 4 days hurts and worries me Also, I'm afraid it's not good for him since he's still growing. He's only 55lbs and our vet says he is too thin
We will try that though, thanks!

[jessac]

Was he teething? Our pup did the same thing with turning his nose up at food (he's 6mo also) and we figured it was because his mouth was sore. We had switched his food (but for a tummy issue) and like yours, ate it for a few sittings then got picky. I figure since it was new he probably thought it was a "treat" the first few sittings. We did entice him to eat a few times, but now that he's got most of those teeth poking through and doesn't seem too too skinny (although he's around 55lb too) we figure we'll put it down and if he eats, he eats, if he doesn't, oh well. I know it's going to hurt me to see him not eating more than it will him.

[Mary Beth]

What is hard to understand is that by switching foods and worrying if your dog doesn't eat when he is healthy, you are actually creating the problem. It becomes a bad cycle: one day the dog just isn't hungry - he doesn't eat - so you worry and entice to him to eat - he learns: great - I'll just hold out and get something better, and so he does. Then it becomes a game to the dog : let's see if I can get something better to eat, and he does. My husky was a picky eater when I first adopted her, she was my first dog, so of course, I was worried when she won't eat. The vet told me, as long as she drinks water, and is otherwise fine, don't worry, she'll eat when she is hungry. It was the best advice for me - I stopped worrying and once she realized that I wasn't going to entice her to eat - she got over being a picky eater.

[lone Ranger]

Yea, what Mary Beth says.... Her poor starving little puppy was something like 85 lbs at 9 months.. I should be so lucky with Caesar..

I am guilty of it myself... On the other hand, what if I gave you the same meatloaf and mashed potatoes every day...

Use the food down for even 15 minutes and it goes away principle, that is right on.. And when he does not eat give him NOTHING until next meal time.. Do it again, and you do it again. It will not take long for him to learn to eat when he gets the chance.. You need to realize WHO is training Who here... heh he

In my case on the Raw diet, I try and alter the diet, and change beef to lamb to kibble to chicken. A varied menu. And sure, if he like one better than the other and he learns that if he does not eat, you will change it out? He has trained you up... Better to give hime the 15 minute chance, then cover it up in the fridge for the next meal...

Kind regards from Oz.... lone Ranger

[i loved my dog too hard]

Biscuit, one of my girls, had trouble sticking to just one food as a pup. We had to constantly mix her food up otherwise she wouldnt eat it. Eventually we decided to just give her the same food for a couple days and time the meals apart and only give her so long to eat it. Eventually she starting eating her bowls of food in one sitting and eating the food we had got for her instead of acting bratty. Just make sure the food is nutritious!

[i loved my dog too hard]

Also some of the more expensive fresh food options seem to be so tasty for the dogs. They are highly nutritious and i don't think the dog would get tired of it. pricey stuff though

[gsdemack]

Great info here. I have the same problem!

[Andrew Robert]

Originally Posted by Mary Beth

I suggest you decide on one type of food and stick with it. If you put something extra in the food put it on the bottom, so he can eat his way down. Put the food down -leave it for 20 minutes. If he doesn't eat after 20 minutes - calmly take the food away. Do not give him any treats or extras when has not eaten his meal. Just put the food down again at the next meal time. He will eat when he is hungry. Because he has learned that when he doesn't eat, you will switch foods, he is going to test you and hold out. He may refuse to eat for 3 or 4 days - that will not hurt him, he will not starve.

I went through the same thing when I brought Pippa home.. I was worried too until I spoke with the breeder. Pretty much what Mary Beth said although I didn't keep the food on the ground longer than 2 minutes. Your pup will learn unless you keep changing food and catering to her. She is training you in that case and will hold out for something better. Pretty much what Mary Beth mentioned on her second post.

Your dog will not starve by missing a meal or two. Dogs in the wild don't eat two meals everyday.. That is what humans came up with. Anyways, it took me three or four days but Pippa finally got it after missing a few meals. Be strong and out smart the pup. ; ) Pippa is only 12 weeks old and she still gets the best of me, well sometimes. : )