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Puppy not eating enough?

8K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  Alicia123 
#1 ·
Hi All

Our wee boy is 10 weeks, the breeder had him on purina pro plan which we weaned off over a week onto an all stages grain free kibble. the transition went well at first, although he began only picking at his bowl and not eating a considerable amount. After recommendation from our vet, we have transitioned again (not ideal) on to a puppy specific large breed formula with lower protein levels which he seemed to like initially. 5 days in, he is again only picking at the kibble and not eating the full portion per meal (we are feeding him 3x a day at this stage). We are following the feeding amount guidelines although he seems disinterested. He was on the thin side when we got him, so my initial thoughts were to fatten him up a little bit.
As we are actively training at the moment, so he does get a fair amount of treats to recognize the right behavior - could this be detrimental to his meal times? My partner thinks he is being 'fussy'.
Any tips for us? Less treats? only allow the food bowl down for 10mins at meal time to encourage eating? Mix in warm water to soften the kibble? thoughts...
thanks :)
 
#2 ·
You could try training with the kibble until he starts eating a full meal, and yes a little warm water to make a broth might make him more interested..

Don't worry to much, I think the bulk of puppy parents go threw this stage, I remember Duke being fussy and I'd get panicky,but this forum helped a ton! he was fed three times a day, given 20mins to eat if he didn't eat in that time I picked it up and he ate at the next feeding, he soon caught on that I wasn't going to play games he ate now or had to wait, and now he would be a little piggy if I let him

How much do you feed him in a day? How are his poops? Is he active? How much does he weigh? Boxers all grow so differently, some are chunky when young and some are slightly skinny.
 
#3 ·
thanks 4paws!
i think we will start being stricter with feeding times like you have suggested, i know this is a good routine to stick to so they learn, eat at feeding time, or wait until next feed. I guess i have been a little soft around this as all I really focusing on is that he eats enough!
we are trying to feed approx 375g - 425g per day. i think about 180g is one cup. at this stage he is not even getting through 2 cups per day - which is why i am concerned as this is not even at the min guideline recommendation. Like you say though, all dogs are different.
Last week he weighed 6.8kg at 9 weeks old, which the vet nurse said was a little underweight. he has grown quite a bit since then, so will see what weight he has out on at his next check up on Wednesday this week. His poops are solid and regular. He is puppy active, we work 8 hours a day so get up an hour and a half before we leave to ensure we have time to play with him and tire him out to sleep until lunch. he is then let out, toileted, fed and played with at lunch, until we return approx 4 hours later after work. we play lots of games at night and do training. he goes to puppy preschool once a week and is socialized at least once a week with other dogs via friends. He does sleep a lot as puppies do, but i definitely wouldn't call him a couch potato haha.
 
#4 ·
Yes you already got some good advise. Our boy wasn't and still isn't a gobbler. He gets 20 minutes to eat or he has to wait until the next meal. We don't do many treats. We trained without treats using only praise. As long as his poop is good and he continues to gain weight I wouldn't worry at this stage.
 
#5 ·
Uhtred is a super picky eater. He won't even eat the treats they give him at the vet!
We've tried different kinds of foods, strict feeding times, everything. Change the food, he's more interested in it at first, then he gets bored. And he doesn't get many treats.
But the vet says he is healthy and the right weight, so I decided to stop worrying about it.
 
#8 ·
just thought id give you guys an update on Angus's eating - he is on Royal cannin boxer specific now, and loves it! we had no problems with upset tummy with changing foods which i was really hesitant to do, but gave it a go as per vets advice, and he just loves it! hes still not a big gobbler as such, but he eats most of his serving at each meal time! YAY! thanks for everyones responses :)
 
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