Puppy Eating habits

[JammyDodger1]

Hi, I have a 6 month old Weimaraner whose eating habits have gone really weird, she was on three meals a day, all fine, then got a viral infection and was off her food for quite a few days, she is fully fit now, but I put her breakfast down on a morning, she will have a few mouthfuls and then doesn't seem interested, she is then on her own for a couple of hours whilst I am at work, when I get back, she still hasn't eaten it, but will have a few mouthfuls whilst I am here, we then walk to school and play in the park for about half hour on the way back, will then finish her breakfast and within half an hour be batting her bowl for more.

My question is, is she too young for 1 meal a day, btw, she is walked for about an hour on a morning and between 1/1.5 hours on way back from school,

thank you.

[Butterflylovers]

The dog is still young and I think you're walking too much for such a young pup. Over two hours a day? Personally I would not even feed adult dogs once a day let alone a young growing pup.

[JammyDodger1]

I am a novice, will take you advice on board, she just runs and runs round the garden like she has too much energy, but is not interested in food until night time, and then devours it, I have weighed her at the vets and she is right weigh for her age, fit and healthy, and he eats the recommended amount just at weird times.

[daisydotandgertie]

I've a number of thoughts.

She is getting a lot of exercise for a 6 month old dog - I would cut down a bit.

She is far too young to go on one meal a day - in fact, I'd never put a dog onto one meal a day, especially not a large breed. She could drop to two meals now, and I think the root of your problem is that you're leaving food down on the floor.

Put it down for 15 minutes and then pick it up again. Re-offer it at the next available mealtime.

I'm also curious about how much she weighs, what she's fed on and how much you're feeding. Something doesn't sound quite right.

[Whoknowswhocares]

Most people prefer to stick with 2 meals a day especially for larger, deep chested adults dogs as it reduces the chances of bloat, which is very serious and can often be fatal.
I'm a believer in taking away the food after about half an hour, rather than trickle feeding as it will help get her into a proper routine.

As the previous poster, I'd say she was getting too much walking. Around half an hour, once or twice a day would be more in line with vets advice. Occasionally more is ok, but regularly overdoing the exercise can impact on joints whilst they are still growing. That running round the garden like a loon can be caused by over tiredness!!!!
How much training and mental stimulation does she get? That is just as important and more tiring than walking! My pup still has her ration in three meals worth. One for breakfast, one for dinner and a third for treats/training/kong fillers etc through the day. She is 13 months now and will continue this regime for life.

[JammyDodger1]

I cannot remember what the vet said she weigh as she was being sick constantly when we last went, (viral infection) was more pressing, have put some pictures on profile of her, doesn't really do her justice though.

[Whoknowswhocares]

The recommended amount on the packet is notoriously over generous. The more we feed, the more money they make unfortunately, so their guidelines are best viewed with a healthy cynicism. What brand of food does she have? How many grams per day?

Your pics don't show her condition that easily (she's beautiful though!) but she certainly doesn't look skinny, which a pup often does at her age, and one which has presumably lost weight due to sickness even more so.
Can you feel her ribs with very light pressure and see a definate waist when looking from above?

[JammyDodger1]

She has 500g per day, it's Royal Canin I feed her as recommended by the breeder,

she lost quite a lot of weigh when ill, and looked very skinny, you could see her ribs, but has put it back on now, you can feel her ribs with light pressure and can see a defined waist looking from above,

thanks