[jdp2134]

So 2 things. First Kaizer has "irregular" poops. Im feeding him Orijen LBP but more to that in a minute. When he poops the first one is nice and hard and regular but then when he finished (usually somewhere else in the yard) it is soft and almost watery even. I started giving him pumpkin every meal to see if that would help but does anyone have anything else to suggest? Worms are out of the question as he had another fecal done and was given a dose of heartguard last week.

Second is feeding time. For about week he would eat the orijen right up always going back to see if there was more after he is done and now he eats some then will act like he is done. Well i bought this can food called Evangers 100% beef the only things in it is beef and water for proccessing. I only put in maybe half a spoon fool with some water and mix it around and he eats it right up. Will he eventually grow out of this and sit down and eat like a normal dog? He is 12wks now, and also will i have to always put some of the evangers in there or can i eventually phase it out....i really dont like the idea of giving my dog canned food every meal even though its not even a spoonful


Thanks guys!!

 

[BlackGSD]

How much do you feed him per meal? and How many meals per day? If you don't want to give him canned food, I would stop now. He has already trained YOU to give him canned food. Too much food can give them less than ideal poop. As can holding it for too long.
My pup has been on dry kibble since 7 weeks. (Before I got her.) If she doesn't want to eat her whole meal and walks off, I take it away. It doesn't take long for them to learn they better eat when they have the chance. Also all of my dogs (including the puppy) eat more some days than they do others. Some days they won't eat the "normal" amount and other days they eat it all and want more. (But the don't get more.)

I also wanted to add that when I give other "special" things like pumpkin or yogurt, I DON'T give it with their kibble. I give it seperately. That way they don't expect something "extra" on their kibble and refuse to eat it plain.

 

[jdp2134]

per meal i feed about a cup and a half and 2 meals a day.

I never mix the pumpkin, i tried that and he hated it with his kibble so i stoped.

My thinking behind giving him the cannned is so he does eat all his food because i want to make sure he grows, and wouldnt him not eating enough throughout the day be detrimental to his growth?

Also if he doesnt eat that much in the morning do i give him extra at dinner time or do i stick to what i was planning on giving him?

 

[Dano]

I would suggest making sure he works for his food. Before feeding him, exercise his brain and body and then feed him. I have never had to mix anything into my dogs food as long as they had to work to get their meal. If food is available to my dogs at "no charge", they kind of shrug their shoulders and pick at it. If I just put down kibble as soon as we wake up, the dogs are not that into eating. They are after doing something like going for a walk or going through a short training session. In a natural or "wild" state, the first thing dogs do when they wake up is go off to explore and find food. No cup of coffee and a newspaper before going to work for them.

 

[BlackGSD]

Eating less some days or some meals isn't going to hurt his growth. He will still grow. But it is better for them to be thin anyway. Notice I say ""thin", NOT "skinny".

For me, another reason for them to eat dry kibble is that if they don't eat it, you can just save it for the next meal, you don't have to throw it out. (Gawd knows good kibble isn't cheap and I do NOT want to have to throw it in the TRASH!)

If you have determined that he needs 3 cups a day, if he doesn't eat it all in the norning you can give him what is left from the morning added to the evening meal. IF he is eating plain dry kibble.(If you are adding canned, it will get rancid between breakfast and dinner time unless refridgerated. And if you put it in the fridge, it will make the whole fridge smell like dog food.

Some dogs/pups seem to eat better at night.

With my pup though, if I give her 1 1/2 cups in the morning and she doesn't eat it all, she won't eat eat the additional food in the evening. She just doesn't want to eat that much (more than 1 1/2 cups.) in one setting.

Puppies are like children (and adults) they don't necessarily eat the same amount every day. Some days they are hungrier than others. One day they look fat, the next they look thin. That's just the way it is when they are growing.

 

[jdp2134]

Good advice. And Dano i take him on a 45min sometimes a little longer walk everytime before he eats.

I think my problem was him not eating it all and then not growing (im real paranoid he isnt going to be big for some reason). I'll stop the canned food NOW and if he doesnt eat save it for next meal. Thanks for all the good advice.

 

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: jdp2134

I think my problem was him not eating it all and then not growing (im real paranoid he isnt going to be big for some reason). Thanks for all the good advice.

Genetics will determine how big he does or doesn't get. Missing a few meals won't make a difference.

Do you wait to feed him after your walk, or do you feed him immediately?

 

[bosco146]

I gotta agree. Sometimes Bear could eat a dead (or live) horse, and other days he'll snub his nose at a filet mignon. I dont think in anyway it will hurt their growth.......thats just how they are.

 

[jdp2134]

i usually wait about 30min or so after the walk to feed him. I work nights so its work,come home and walk, shower and some chores around the house, play, eat.