Changing food brand

[BusyBee]

Hi all,

Sam has been with us 2 weeks on Friday and I'm having some problems with his food, he is currently on Hills large breed puppy.

Firstly he has never had a solid poo, it ranges from a soft pile to watery, and is very light in colour he also strains and strains after pooing producing nothing.

Secondly he doesn't like to eat from the bowl (really only eats if hand fed) and is never waiting to be fed infact his interest in food altogether is minimal. He's not even fussed on the odd bits of human food I've offered him as training treats toast, pasta, cheese (though hot dogs and cooked belly posk was a hit). He does however eat his poo I now chase him off and he reluctantly lets me collect the poo straight away, but it seems his poo is his favourite meal any advice on how to stop that would be great.. poo breath is yuk!

I plan to change him to Orijen after reading older threads, but wondered if it would be ok just to swap it straight away? as he is not really enjoying the Hills at all and already seems to have an upset tummy.

He was at the vets last Saturday and he weighs 4.8kg I thought he felt very skinny but the vet said he was fine and he seems healthy and bouncy.

Thanks

Sally & Sam

[Mazz]

Sorry your baby is not to well at the moment.
Personally I wound not be giving my pup pork, pasta, toast or any human treats just yet.
When you change your baby over to the puppy food for large breeds, do it gradually.
We had food with no additives, for our baby, then when she was older,we introduced things, one at a time slowly.
Your little one is very young, (imo) to stomach lot of new things.
Cows milk is no good for them, gives them bum gravy.
Hope some one comes on soon to help you.
Mazz

Hi sorry you are having feeding difficulties with your pup. If the vet has said all is well then it is really up to you whether you try another food! Was your pup on this food with the breeder ? Maybe just does not like it. I personally would change it but I always change food or if I am trying a new treat or something give a little each day gradually increasing daily over a week until they are getting a full dinner of new food. Having an upset stomach you need to be careful when they are so young as they become dehydrated quickly . Hope you get this sorted soon and I am sure many will be able to offer help soon take care! xx

[Stuart]

Be carfull of the hand feeding or you may have bigger problems, he is likely to get so used to it that you will have trouble getting him to eat from a bowl

[kita]

How often are you feeding him?

Do the meals differ at all?

Is the food fed completely dry (or do you soak it)?

Sue

[BusyBee]

Thanks, I am feeding him 4 times a day four hours apart 7,11,3, and 7 but because he wasn't eating it I left it down and just replaced with new every 4 hours incase it wasn't nice after being left out.

I have been thinking about this over night (as you do ) and I think you're right. The treats I give him are chopped into small pieces, but he gets treats for wee's, poo's going into his crate, and for 'leaving' shoes socks etc and we also spend 15 mins or so a day 'sitting' etc for which he recieves treats. Add that to the pigs ear that he takes to bed with him and I think I am sabotaging his healthy eating regime!

He does accept kibble as treats but it was taking him too long to crunch his way through them and was sort of interupting his training and he often took them but just dropped them. So today is a new day and I am going to be alot stricter on myself! I will only give him his food and only pieces of his food as treats and see how he goes. I am also gonna lift his food if not eaten in 30 mins and no more hand feeding!

Phew it's so tricky being a mummy, I ought to add that he had his jabs and a worming tablet this weekend, so I suppose that could upset his tum....
I still would like to change his food, because Orijen seems healthier but I'll wait to see if he really doesn't like his food first, and then change it gradually.

Cheers

Sally

Goodluck! sounds like you have a plan . I am sure it will all work out ! xx

[Caryll]

Good plan!

I wouldn't leave his food down for as long as 30 minutes, though. A dog has no idea of time, and after about 10 minutes it'll mean nothing to him! So, if he doesn't eat his food straight away I'd only leave it for 10 minutes & then take it up, otherwise it'll seem to him that the food is just there whenever he wants to pick at it, if you see what I mean!

Originally Posted by Caryll

Good plan!

I wouldn't leave his food down for as long as 30 minutes, though. A dog has no idea of time, and after about 10 minutes it'll mean nothing to him! So, if he doesn't eat his food straight away I'd only leave it for 10 minutes & then take it up, otherwise it'll seem to him that the food is just there whenever he wants to pick at it, if you see what I mean!

I think thats a good idea! They will soon learn if I mess around it will be gone pronto! I used to faff about with Storm thinking I had to add bits to make it interesting but all I done was make him fussy and myself stressed. BUT NOW eat it or wait until your next meal he soon got the message lol. I only give treats after his dinner and none in it and what a difference! As for training I cut pieces really small . Funny enough he works harder for them and does not get full up! I got him sussed but took a little while but in the end tough love prevailed yey! xx

[BusyBee]

Great advice thanks! I put his 11.00 food down and he didn't even give it a second glance I removed it 10 mins later. He has just pottered into the kitchen and is bouncing around like mad, I'm guessing that he's looking for a wee snack . So poor Sam has quite a wait ahead of him until his 3.00 meal hopefully by then he'll be a bit more interested Fingers crossed!

Sally