craftycrafter
Grey Lover
Holstein 2008-2011 "gone too soon" Lola 2003-2014 "sweetheart"
Posts: 726
|
Post by craftycrafter on Feb 15, 2011 8:25:55 GMT -5
This is our second morning with Lola and Ramone and neither ate more than a third of their food this a.m. Just wondered what you do when this occurs, leave it out or take it away? My dilemma is that work schedule changes every two weeks so that the dogs will have to adjust to that as well. My little dog isn't bothered as he's used to it but he's also a grazer so he gets food in his cage when I leave for work and eats it when he feels like it.
instincts tell me to just remove their food and offer it to them next time it's a feeding but I've never managed it as I get worried when dogs won't eat. Holstein was fuzzy about eating and I turned him into a grazer. Would rather keep these two on a two feedings a day schedule.
|
|
|
Post by GreyPoopon on Feb 15, 2011 8:42:30 GMT -5
I'd take it away. Give them some time--maybe 15 minutes--then remove what they haven't eaten. When they settle in, they'll find their appetites. They'll also learn that they have to eat right away. They won't starve themselves to death.
|
|
|
Post by krissy on Feb 15, 2011 9:00:58 GMT -5
We went through this with Summit. He ate really well for the first week, and then all of a sudden he became the pickiest eater ever. He didn't eat breakfast, and he only ate about half his dinner. On weekends when we were home for most of the day and could leave his food out (most days he goes into his crate while we're away) he would graze and eventually eat it all, but this didn't make sense to me as most days this wasn't an option and I wanted him meal fed anyway. He didn't seem to care that food disappeared. I'd give him half an hour, and take it away. This went on for another 2 weeks probably. I should mention that what seemed to cause the incident was a change in food. I was feeding ProPlan Lamb and Rice (similar to what they are fed at the kennel I've heard) and then I switched him to IAMS Healthy Naturals Lamb and Rice since that was what I was getting free at school.
Anyway, I would remove the food or you'll never ever get them to meal feed. You can try putting something interesting in with the kibble. I put a bit of sardines in Summit's one night and he ate it all (albeit very slowly because he licked the sardines off of everything first before he ate the kibble) and since then he wolfs down his food even though I don't put anything in it. You can also get some liver powder and sprinkle some of that on top. Then there's nothing for them to pick out but the kibble will stink really good!
|
|
redgrey
Grey Lover
I need a peanut butter refill !
Posts: 577
|
Post by redgrey on Feb 15, 2011 9:21:19 GMT -5
I'd take it away. Give them some time--maybe 15 minutes--then remove what they haven't eaten. When they settle in, they'll find their appetites. They'll also learn that they have to eat right away. They won't starve themselves to death. Ditto!! They're adjusting to everything new, so they are just off their food. I'm sure it's temporary until the dogs and yourself figure out the routine.
|
|
|
Post by angelollie on Feb 15, 2011 21:08:57 GMT -5
I agree with what's been said already. I think it's important to get them into a routine that works for you as well as them. Once they've adjusted to their new home, they will start eating better and will simply follow your schedule. Don't worry, it'll all work out.
|
|
craftycrafter
Grey Lover
Holstein 2008-2011 "gone too soon" Lola 2003-2014 "sweetheart"
Posts: 726
|
Post by craftycrafter on Feb 17, 2011 8:36:44 GMT -5
They are eating well as of today. I discovered that Ramone prefers to eat on a bed and not in the kitchen with the other two. my only issue now is that my schedule changes every two weeks so they will need to adjust. Its not ideal but I'm stuck with it for now.
|
|