Feeding

[Freckle Face]

Sam used to be fed twice a day, but he would never eat the food straight away and often it got left all day and sometimes it would take him all day to eat his breakfast. So I decided to change him on to one meal a day which is now half of what he used to get.

He eats is straight away and is sitting crying at me when I'm getting it ready in the morning, so now I think he might be really hungry?? He does get treats and biscuits during the day and he's not skinny.

So do you think I should up his food, or do you think the crying thing is just normal??

[MightyMouth]

Is he fed at night? Can you split what he has now into two? I wish I could feed mine once a day but they would mug me and feed themselves if I did. I am no help......mine are dustbins!

[Freckle Face]

Is he fed at night? Can you split what he has now into two? I wish I could feed mine once a day but they would mug me and feed themselves if I did. I am no help......mine are dustbins!

He is fed in the morning before I leave for work, so I can sneak out the door when he is stuffing his face. :018:

I suppose I could split it into two, never thought of that. :044:

[terri]

i'm a great believer in food not being left down all day..more so in summer months due to fly's ect..but this can lead to fussy eaters and eating as and when they feel like it..so not really a set feeding time...
with my amount of dogs..i don't leave food down..they have set meal times ..and a few treats in between..
why have you cut to one meal and halfed the fed again ?
most dogs will eat 2 meals a day..as one meal a day its along way to go between meal times if that makes sence...
what food is being feed ( amounts)..just like humans..dogs don't eat the reccomended amounts, what stated on the side of dog food is a guide only, and each dog has a different requirement..some eat more and some eat less then the requirements stated..

you could try two meals again ( so for the day, age/weight of your dog, and split this into two meals a day)..and after 20mins what ever food is left in the bowl, then throw away and start fresh again on the next meal..
if food is being left after 20 mins..then maybe you are giving too much so cut back a little..and if cleared in seconds then maybe needs a little bit more...
a few teats are ok during the day/evening..a couple doggie biscuits between meals..( just like a human would ..say having a cup of tea/coffe and a biscuit or two)..

dogs will and can squeak..in the hope of you giving in and replying on treats or you giving in and giving them something better..and becomes a habit..until you give in with extras...

try the two meals a day..instead of first thing in the morning..try about 11am ish..and again late afternoon/ early evening with the 2nd meal..maybe with a dog biscuit in the morning and before bedtime..or you can give an few slices of carrot as an healthy option if you are watching your dogs weight..

xx

[joanne_v]

When you say he gets one meal a day and its half of what he used to get do you mean in volume?? Wasnt quite sure.....

[Freckle Face]

Thanks Terri.

Unfortunately I cannot feed Sam mid morning as I work full time.

I reduced him down to one meal as I felt two was too much as he kept leaving most of it.

I'll reduce the amount that he gets in the morning and then give him another meal at tea time.

[Freckle Face]

When you say he gets one meal a day and its half of what he used to get do you mean in volume?? Wasnt quite sure.....

Yeah. He used to get 200 grams a day and now just gets 100g. Is that bad?? He is not skinny either.

[joanne_v]

100g is nothing!!! He'll be starving!!! Is he not losing weight? Lily and Krumble (both 10kg) get 160g per day. Lance is 14kg and gets 250g per day although he seems to have a very fast metabolism. Sams prob nearer his size so def needs around 200g per day.

[lisalh]

What food is he on as 100g does seem a v small amount.Fred would eat my arm off if that was all he got.
They are on Arden Grange and Natures Diet, as Fred is on his meds still they both get fed 3 times a day and their bowls are cleaned as soon as they go down- I Have reduced the amount they are on as I am giving a lot of treats on walks while working on a few recall issues, Kooks is on 200g a day and 1/2 a tray of Natures menu and Fred is on 300g and the rest of the natures menu but both are running about off lead for at least 2 hours a day and then go out on lead for 1/2 hour at lunch times.

[Freckle Face]

He's not losing weight, he actually looks really chunky.

I gave him another 50g tonight and he eat it all right away, but then again he was probably starving!!!

Sorry, I am a bad mummy. I promise I will feed my boy from now on!

(running away to hide now) :022:

ETA: He is on James Wellbeloved.

[MightyMouth]

If he isn't losing weight and he is a healthy weight then maybe that is enough for him. Kali doesn't have anywhere near the recommended weight and she is gaining lbs! :076:

[Meerkat]

What is the recommended daily amount on JWb for his weight ???

if it is approx 150g per day I would split into two

if it is 100g i would spilt into two etc

i would then see how he goes for a few days etc

[wendy]

I to have been having food issues
Nero is on JWB half a tub for breakfast and a full tub for tea, I was adding a pouch of JWB as meals were being left more often than not. I never leave food down 20mins max
I tried feeding once a day but the volume was to much.
so now i do the same as Lisa and add natures diet, bingo happy dog :044:

[Tanya]

Sorry, I am a bad mummy. I promise I will feed my boy from now on!

(running away to hide now) :022:



Poor Sam...I think you should pack your bags and head to someone who will at least feed you :045:

If he's not losing weight then he probably doing ok, but maybe up it a bit, split into two and see how you get on :044: But if he doesn't eat it within say 20mins then take it up....give him a stuffed kong or similar when you leave.....or one of those things that makes them play with it to get the kibble out and leave him with his brekkie that way?

[joanne_v]

Might not be noticeable for a while if he was losing weight. Def think a little more food would be good, try 150g for a bit.

[Freckle Face]

I'm going to up his food amount and split it into two meals and see how he goes.

Thanks!