Puppy suddenly off his food

[squeaver]

Should I be worried? He seems fine otherwise: had a good walk this morning, cold nose. He seemed a wee bit constipated this morning but did a normal poo.

Didn't want his weetabix this morning, so I gave him some of his normal dry food, which he did eat. Just tried to give him some lunch and he didn't touch it. Put a little bit of cheese (his fave thing) on top and he picked it off, leaving the dog food.

Has he just got bored with what I'm feeding him? He's nearly five months.

[KringleCandleLover]

I wouldn't worry as long as he is ok in himself. My 3 went through stages of not eating the odd meal. They still do. Just make sure he drinks water. How many times a day does he get fed? It may be time to reduce his mealtimes.
If it were me, I'd cut out the weetabix and maybe offer a scrambled egg or sardines as an alternative. No dog ever turns down those!

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

I know I am a fine one to speak (as I have done exactly what you described) but then end result of adding tempting things to food with my pup was a picky pup. I was worried sick as mine was skinny and underweight and always had the runs and I started adding chicken and cheese. He nearly drove me demented.

I only got a backbone with him when I started raw feeding and we have had a couple of stand offs but he has backed down at about 36 hours!

I would honestly advise (in the light of my own weakness!) to tough it out and just put down and lift again till next meal. I wish I'd done it sooner!

I'd get pup checked out if it goes on beyond a couple of days though.

[lainiekazan]

I've just had this. Dog off his food - not treats, mind you, just his normal dinner.

I actually rang a pet nutritionist (!) who advised that puppies go through growth spurts and growth consolidation, at which point they may just not be as hungry as usual.

She asked me if I was burying tasty bits and pieces in his dinner to tempt him - I had to plead very guilty . She said that if you do that you are encouraging fussiness. Stick with the usual dinner but reduce the quantity, and gradually change to a new food if you like. But if you pander then you'll end up with - like children - an animal who you are cooking up special meals for.

Apparently no dog will starve itself because it doesn't care for its dinner. It may hold out for mini sausages, naice ham and cheese but in the end will chow down on the Royal Canin or whatever.

[squeaver]

Thanks guys.
He has weetabix for breakfast (used to be scrambled egg, might go back to that tomorrow)

Dry food for lunch and dinner. Then a little drink of milk at 9pm-ish.

He really does seem fine so I'll do as you suggest and tough it out for now. It's just odd as he's always desperate for food and munches it through it with gusto.

[squeaver]

I do like that you rang the pet nutritionist, Lainie - sort of thing I would do!