9 week puppy not eating much

[OscarzPeople]

I just took Oscar to the vet yesterday and she said he's a very healthy boxer but that he was a bit on the thin side. I was feeding him 4 times a day, but he wouldn't eat much so I cut it back to 3 hoping to get his appitite up. He was until recently eating kibble with a little water in it but I've been gradually weening him off to just dry kibble. (a step down period of about 2 weeks.)
Whatever is going on with him it isn't affecting his energy level at all. Still as hyper as can be.
He's growing fast as well... he's put on 5 1/2 lbs. in 3 weeks.
Do puppies go through periods of time when they just don't eat much? Or did I come of the water-kibble mixture too fast?

 

[sgbtab]

yes puppys do go through periods when they are not hungry. and then when they have a growth spurt they eat more. but my question is what kind of food are you feeding?

 

[OscarzPeople]

Nutro Max Puppy. Some poeple I know told me that this was one of the better puppy foods that I could be feeding him. Is there something better that I should be feeding him?
Other than his kibble I treat him with peanut butter and a Natural Selects Lamb sausage log.

The other wierd thing is that he'll eat my older cats' food but not his and their eating Purina Cat Chow. (not exactly puppy formulated) =)

 

[courtney323]

Nutro Max Puppy. Some poeple I know told me that this was one of the better puppy foods that I could be feeding him. Is there something better that I should be feeding him?

Hi OscarzPeople,

I am moving this to the Feeding Forum, where it is a better fit. Nutro Max Puppy is not a very good quality kibble (certainly not the worst, but there are many better ones out there).

The following page tells you what to look for and avoid, in kibbles: www.boxerworld.com/feeding

In terms of specific suggestions, you will find many if you do a search on "premium kibble".

Good luck

 

[OscarzPeople]

Oh, I see... just got done disecting the ingredients, I see... thank you... I see what you mean by not being the "worst" but that there are better ones. I'll do some looking around. Thank you

 

[courtney323]

OscarzPeople -

To help you out a bit, here is a short list of kibbles that are on the "Whole Dog Journal"'s Premium Food List (and seem to be pretty popular on these Forums):

California Natural
Canidae
Chicken Soup
Eagle Pack Holistic
Innova
Merrick
Natural Balance Ultra
Royal Canin Natural Blend
Solid Gold
Wellness

 

[OscarzPeople]

I've never heard or seen any of those brands...can you find them is plain old pet stores like Petsmart, Pet Stop and what not?

 

[courtney323]

OscarzPeople -

I suppose it does depend where you shop. Your best bet is to go to smaller feed stores or local pet food stores.

The large chains (PetSmart and PetCo) do not typically carry quality kibbles. Although, they do carry Nutro Ultra (which is the only premium food in Nutro's line). I have also seen Royal Canin and Eagle Pack there.

As for locating the above mentioned premium kibbles, most of their websites have a store-locator feature. For example, if you go to www.canidae.com, you can locate a store near you.

 

[OscarzPeople]

Ok, thanks for the info! I'll check out that web site as well as do some research on the others. I really appriciate all of ya'lls advice!

 

[pinkpuppy]

To add to everything that's said above; from experience - our puppy preferred (as in "would not eat otherwise") her kibble soaked (eventually not really a mush - but in a "kibble in gravy" form) until the time she was 12/13 weeks - and then again when her teeth were falling out :D

Definitely do try to find better kibble for your pup though