Strange eating habits

[Mike69]

I have a 5 1/2 month red boxer called Shankley, she is a fantastic friendly dog who loves to play with anyone who will play with her, however I do have a slight concern. Over the last month or so she has become a bit funny over her food. Sometimes you can feed her and she goes straight to the bowl (after sitting and giving a paw) and eats all the food. Other times she can walk up to the bowl take a sniff and walk away only to return later and then eat the food. Sometimes in may take her 3 or 4 hours to eat her breakfast. I make sure that her food is correctly measured out and we never feed between meals. I may be worrying without a need but it would be nice to get some reasurance from you guys.

Thanks

Mike

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Mike

 

[sandy oakey]

Mike,

I wouldn't worry too much. Nino used to eat like that also. It would worry me and I even took him to the vet a couple of times. As long as he doesn't appear to feel bad and his weight is good, try not to worry. Nino is 3 years old now and weighs 90 lbs. and never leaves a drop in his bowl.

 

[Jessica]

I wouldn't worry either, Mike. Jake, even though a lab, did this exact same thing when he was a puppy. Sometimes he would be so excited to eat and it was gulped down in seconds, other times he would take a couple of bites, go nap, come back, etc. I honestly think it had to do with how hungry he felt at the time I was feeding him. Like people, dogs sometimes expend more energy than at other times, depending on what their activity level is for the day. He grew like he should have, weighing 65 lbs. at a year and now just over 75 lbs. at 2.5 years old. It wasn't until we got Zoe that he actually started always eating when we fed him. I think it's now out of fear that she'll run over and eat all of his food, too, after she's done with her own! LOL We've actually caught her in the act before. If she ever stops eating or seems to be having problems gaining weight, growing right, I'd consult your vet. Otherwise, it's probably just a phase she's going through. Good luck! Jessica
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Zoe-1/16/00, plain fawn, cropped, spayed, docked
Jake-2/3/98, yellow lab

 

[nanabear]

Mack went through the same thing at about the same age. He was just not a morning kind of guy - more into brunch.
I can't believe I ever had trouble getting him to eat. He is not quite 2, is 87lbs and I have a problem keeping him from gaining now. He *loves* food.

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

At 5 1/2 months your pup may still be teething. When Amaya was teething she was very fussy about her food. At times she would gobble it up and times she would act like she wanted to eat it but wouldnt.

I think her gums hurt and eating was just painful with the cruchy food. We bought some wet food to mix in and that seemed to help. She outgrew this stage once she was done teething.

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Brutus & Amayas Mom
Brutus 9/23/99 Flashy Fawn
Amaya 3/22/00 Flashy Brindle

 

[Jan]

Puppies seem to go through stages when they aren't interested in eating. I wouldn't worry about it too much. How many times a day are you feeding her? If you are still feeding her 3 times, I would cut out the middle meal. If you want to encourage her to eat up right away, pick up the bowl after 15 minutes and don't give it back until the next mealtime.

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Jan
Markus, dark brindle
neutered male, 6 yrs old

 

[LPratt]

Angus still does that exact same thing! We always say his tummy is still sleeping. My husband and I laugh, I make his food the exact same way as my husband does (it must be doctored up for him to even eat it)and he never eats mine and will only eat my husbands preparation.....it is so weird, it kind of gives me a complex.

Anyway, my vet told me that Boxers are usually less motivated by food than other breeds....you are not alone

Leezah & Angus

 

[MarinaS]

Shankley is just growing up. My Tina was the same at this age, and I was also concerned until I found out it was a matter of growing up. Pups may also change their eating preferances during this phase. It's almost like with human babies - until a certain age they would eat literally anything every time you feed them and then, all of a sudden, they become very picky about their food and their eating schedule would change too.
Regards

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Marina
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Tina - fawn, natural ears, born September 1996; sweetie and cutie