Talk to me about feeding

[bloodywhitecat]

We have a 16 month old crossbreed (ESS/Kerry Blue terrier), he is beautiful but he is a stubborn arse when it comes to feeding him. He is on the skinny side of healthy when it comes to weight, if he were smooth coated he'd look ribby if that makes sense. We are yet to find a food that he will reliably eat, I put his breakfast down give him 20 minutes to eat it then pick it up, some days he will refuse it completely. I then don't feed him again until dinner time (and if I did he would most likely refuse it again).

We have tried kibble (he's currently on Tribal and has had Gentle in the past) and we have tried raw and he reacts the same to both, he'll eat well for a week then he refuses food or is fussy for a week or two. He's fit and healthy, and other than tending to be a bit underweight the vet has no concerns with him health-wise. Do we just accept this is how he is? Is there anything else I can try? DP used to hand feed him if he refused and I have scatter fed him in the past, we have tried snuffle mats and different bowls but he always reverts to refusing meals, some days he is taking half of his allowance.

This is he.

My DDog is equally fussy - I think I’d continue on the path of trying different foods and see if any ‘stick’. We tried numerous high end foods and unfortunately it’s one at the low end (Iams chicken) that has stuck and seems to not irritate her IBD and lead to diarrhoea bouts. It’s a boring diet so we do liven it up with chicken and rice or chicken and pasta a couple of times a week. She gets daily Verm-X treats as well which again help with the IBD.

I don’t honestly think that she is that bothered about food and it sounds like yours might be similar. Age 4, she is finally a decent weight. Try not to worry too much and just persist. Perhaps it’s something about black, fluffy dogs (pic of DD attached).

My dog sometimes won't eat his breakfast, but when we come back from his long morning walk he gobbles it down. Have you tried feeding him after his walks when he is most likely to be really hungry?

@SJaneS49 She is beautiful! I am a sucker for black dogs.

@MrsFluffyMuff Very occasionally he will eat it after his walk but mostly turns his nose up and walks away after a sniff or two. I think he's just good at self regulating a lesson I could learn.

Maybe leave his food down so he can graze? Dogs are natural scavengers so set mealtimes are pretty unnatural.

I wouldn't pander to him or worry too much - thin dogs are MUCH healthier than fat ones - research shows that they live much longer. As long as he's active and well in himself, being a bit ribby is nothing to worry about.

@Veterinari

Maybe leave his food down so he can graze? Dogs are natural scavengers so set mealtimes are pretty unnatural.

I wouldn't pander to him or worry too much - thin dogs are MUCH healthier than fat ones - research shows that they live much longer. As long as he's active and well in himself, being a bit ribby is nothing to worry about.

Thank you, I had worried about doing that as had been told it could led to over eating but it makes perfect sense really

My dogs are working dogs they won't eat til they have exercised. Try feeding your dog about 30 minutes to an hour after a walk.

As above, we feed ours once a day after morning walk / play time. Have a good check you are not over feeding?