A Feeding Question

[Tulsa-Dan]

Ever since Susie arrived, these silly girls have been eating each other's food. Susie is on Nutro Natural L&R Adult and Maggie is on Nutro Max Puppy. But, when I fill the bowls and put them down on their respective tables, they ALWAYS switch partners and dance, as it were, and head straight for each other's food bowls and then they eat. So, Susie eats the puppy food and Maggie eats the adult food. They don't switch back and forth during eating, they just switch and eat the other's formula. Neither has exhibited any stomach upset from this "switch" and in fact, both seem to be having better stools. Go figure.

Now, if they were eating the same formula I guess I wouldn't have a problem. But I'm thinking that as these bags of food (I get 40lbs bags of each) are eaten, that I would then switch them both to the adult formula that I am planning on switching them to (Calif. Natural or Innova). Then they'll both be eating the same food.

Do you think 9 to 10 months is too young for Maggie to be switched to adult formula food? I have wondered if the puppy formula is too rich for her since her stools have always been kinda moist on this formula. She doesn't seem to be doing much "spurt" growing anymore, just sort of slowly growing bigger.

Any advice or experience in feeding two dogs different foods would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Peggy G]

Have you tried reverse psychology? Give Maggie Susies food and Susies Maggies food when you first put the bowls down then when they switch they will be eating the right food?

If you do take Maggie off the puppy food maybe you can give her a doggie vitamin as a supplement until she is 1 yr old?

Dog's are so much like kids! What you have must be better so I want it!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Oh yes, I've tried reverse psychology and standing there trying to "make" them eat their own food. They simply like the other's better. What can I do. I've been doing some additional research this morning and I can switch to Innova and just feed Maggie more until adult weight is reached, per their recommendations. I think for sure that I'm going with Innova for both dogs. I just like the ingredients better than any other food I've seen.

Thanks for your input.

 

[karens]

Reverse Psychology, that is funny! Dan, I too took Emma off puppy food early. I was more worried about Nikki, who was five, getting too much protien!

As for Innova, Maggie will probably do well. Since she is so active (lucky girls going to the dog park with Dad all the time!) and growing, I was told Innova has a higher calorie count. I really liked their ingredient list as well, but my Spency-boy has chubbed out over the winter, and I feared the extra calories might put him over the edge, so I went with Wellness. They are loving it!

Also, you recommended Culture Clash to someone in a post somewhere. Well I could not find the book anywhere, so ordered it from Amazon. Just came yesterday, dove right in.. thanks for the advice, it is sooo interesting!!

 

[Linda]

Dan,
Welcome to the world of two boxers. :D Mine have always done the exact same thing.

I took Bailey off puppy food pretty quick because of the same problem with her and Remy eating the other's food.

I switched to Nutro a while back and chose a formula that would be a good middle ground for a senior and puppy. It would be just too much work to try to keep them on separate foods and try to police their eating. :p

Mine have always eaten very quickly and were never picky or finicky (never a bite left in the bowl).
Shannon and Remy used to do the same switcheroo with their food. Once while camping we had only brought 2 bowls. I didn't want to dump their water so decided to feed them both separately, sharing the same bowl. I put food in the bowl and put it in front of one of them. They both looked at me like I was crazy and WOULD NOT eat! I had to finally dump the water dish and give them each a bowl. :rolleyes:

 

[Peggy G]

Originally posted by Linda
I put food in the bowl and put it in front of one of them. They both looked at me like I was crazy and WOULD NOT eat! I had to finally dump the water dish and give them each a bowl. :rolleyes:

That is too funny!

 

[Badassboxer]

Hey Dan, I am no dog food professional, but what if you just mixed the two. I don't remember how old Susie is, but I don't think it would hurt Maggie much at all.

Do they really keep each other company with two? We are still juggling the idea of a rescue. Our house is too darn small, I don't know if I could handle two dogs and two cats, not to mention a hubby and a very hyped nine year old. :rolleyes: good luck on your food situation.

 

[douma]

Dan i have the same problem ,when Avra and my daughter's shephed dog eat together,so i stay by them until they finish .i think Maggie Mae like Avra are very little to start adult food,and Susie is old for puppy food.

 

[Divine Boxer]

Hey Dan, I have a few tips you probably already thought
of. How about feeding them in seperate rooms? What about
feeding them in there crate? Thats what I do with mine and
my girlfriends. Since she has 2 dogs and I have 2. We just
put each in their own crate and feed them. If you only have
one crate, how about one in and one out? If you have no
crates well different rooms is the only thing I can think
of.
As for the food problem many people I have talked to and
numerous vets we go to have recommended that we take them
off the puppy food at around 5 months anyhow. They say it
is best for large breeds as too slow down there growth, to
prevent joint problems etc. I'm sure you've heard of it.
So a good quality adult food like the one you mentioned
should be fine for both of them. Well good luck.

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

Bru and Amaya are on different foods and I havent had a problem. They eat on seperate sides of the room and are always done in less than 2 minutes. They always check out the other bowl to make sure no food was wasted One of these days it just may happen :D