eating habits

[Mary]

I have a 2 1/2 year old boxer that gets finiky sometimes with his food. His basic diet is Biljack dry and he always gets boiled chicken, turkey or sometimes a little red meat on top of the food. At the beginning of this year he wouldn't eat his dog food and hardly any of the meat unless it was what he wanted. It went on for 4 days and I took him to the vet who did blood tests and found nothing. She told me just to let him be unless there was some physical thing going on and he would eat when he was hungry. I was concerned as I worry about just everything when it comes to him but sure enough about the 5th day he started eating. Well he's doing it again its the 3rd day and he's just picking at what he wants and doesn't want to eat his dog food again. He was on Eukuneba and put on biljac. Am I being paranoid, he's not acting like anything is wrong is very active and playful. We lost a 12 1/2 year old Shar pei to cancer two years ago and I'm making myself crazy worring about this one. He hasn't lost weight he's a solid 95lbs, in fact the vet says he could probably lose 5 lbs. Any feedback would be appreciated. This is our first boxer and he is like our child. I don't want to worry needlessly, and I know I sound crazy but has anyone had this problem? Thank you for your help

 

[Harley Mom]

Mary, I can tell you that I go through the same thing every once in a while. Harley seems to get weird and he won't eat. At first I was extemely worried because his belly would start to growl. After a few days, I would put "human" food in with his and he would eat. I began to think that this was a game to get us to give him table food but he still does it now and again. I have found that mixing a little canned food (microwaved to room temperature) in with his dry food helps him eat better and more regularly. Don't let your baby worry you too much. Dogs will eat when they get hungry.

Melissa

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Harley: Flashy Brindle Boy, Born 07/04/97

 

[Mary]

Melissa, Thank you for responding. I guess after loosing Dudley our shar pei, to cancer it scares the heck out of me when Tyson starts this. I have tried the can dog food instead of meat but he looks at me like you've got to be kidding. I even picked up a natural health dog book where they have receipes to cook their diet but I haven't gotten into that quite yet, just the boiled chicken. I did pick up some Ims canned food today and called his doctor. Its a good thing she is also a friend and knows me and knows how I am. I guess its just being a little gun shy so to speak but that was what Dudley started doing and 3 weeks later we lost him even after trying chemo, but they said he was really advanced. He didn't act sick, still was active till he started turning his nose up to his food. I keep trying to tell myself Tyson is still a pup really and as long as he's drinking water and playing that he will get back to normal eating. Its been really humid here, I'm near Chicago Il, but he only goes out to go to the bathroom and doesn't care for the heat and is in the air conditioning but that may be part of it too. Again Thanks I know I'm being overly worried just wondered if this was a Boxer trick to get what he wants. I'm convinced that they really do know how to play that. I noticed Harley and Tyson are about the same age, a belated happy birthday Best Mary

Tyson flashy fawn Male 09/21/97

 

[Jan]

I'm not familiar with Biljack, but I used to feed Markus, Eukanuba and he never liked it. I always had to add things to it to get him to eat it. I switched to Nutro's and Markus just loves it. You might want to try Nutro's for Large Breed Dogs, It's first ingredient is chicken and there are no by-products.

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Jan
Markus, dark brindle
neutered male, 6 yrs old

 

[Harley Mom]

Mary, I hope things start improving for you and Tyson. I know it's hard not to worry. Happy Birthday to Tyson!

Melissa

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Harley: Flashy Brindle Boy, Born 07/04/97

 

[Copper Hill Boxers]

I'm very sorry about the dog you lost to cancer, and i know it is hard not to worry, but it sounds like more than anything you have a finicky eater. Some of mine have been that way, and here is how I took back control. ))

My boxers have 10 minutes to clean their bowls, and then mealtime is done. If they choose not to eat, I refuse to add anything different. For tummy gurgles, I keep Activated Charcoal tablets on hand. Two of those will stop the gurgles, and will more often than not have them ready to eat at the next mealtime.

One trick you can try if you think he is being picky is to offer him HALF of what you normally do. Once a dog thnks it is *you* trying to starve him to death, they often will amaze you at how fast they can inhale it. LOL

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Cindy B/Copper Hill Boxers
http://www.geocities.com/copperhillboxers

 

[Mary]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jan:
I'm not familiar with Biljack, but I used to feed Markus, Eukanuba and he never liked it. I always had to add things to it to get him to eat it. I switched to Nutro's and Markus just loves it. You might want to try Nutro's for Large Breed Dogs, It's first ingredient is chicken and there are no by-products.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Jan,
Thanks for the tip, I'm going to give Nutro a try. I have seen it in the pet store here in town. I'm pretty much convinced that Tyson's problem is an overly cautious mom! Last night I went to an auction and my husband was home and Tyson did eat boiled chicken but still only a couple of mouth fulls of dry food. I tried Ims can food and he looked like he was going to spit in the bowl. He is very active, and there is no other sign of anything wrong(Iv'e done the temperature thing once a day and now when I go in the bathroom he runs for his dad because he knows I'm off to get the thermometer!) So I know better but in my heart I still can't help worry. Thanks for the tip will let you know if he likes it. Mary

 

[Mary]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Harley Mom:
Mary, I hope things start improving for you and Tyson. I know it's hard not to worry. Happy Birthday to Tyson!

Melissa

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Melissa,

Thanks for checking on us. I tried canned dog food, which he spit on, and boiled some liver(not much) which he gobbled. He still is very slow only a couple of mouth fulls of dry food but going strong with the treats. I'm trying to be a really good mom and just let him be but those eyes!!! When he doesn't get his treats (brought upstairs before bed) he throws a little temper tantrum and backs ups and whines till he gets his way. I usually give in unfortunately and that's why I'm having this problem. It's not Tyson he is the smart one and just has me trained. My vet called and checked in also and that's what she thinks. I believe it its just hard to go from believing to actually doing and changing my habits of trying to satisfy. I knew he was really fine when after I spoke with you the other day, and went out to water flowers. We have a large yard with a inground pool which is in the middle of the yard, and I was on the other side deadheading some flowers. I didn't hear Tyson till it was to late and was bending over and you probably know the rest, he wanted his mom to play only at 96lbs, (tyson not me) I went down like a bowling pin. He then likes to tackle me and I knew he couldn't be sick because he was his regular self. Well thanks for listening, it helps even though my vet says he's ok to hear it from someone who actually has a boxer. I've found they are like no other dog and I would not trade him for the world. Mary