9 Week Old Not Eating

[Kootch]

I'm looking for suggestions on feeding Angus, my 9 week old male Newf. He's not eating 1/2 of what the recommended amount is on the Nutro bag for his weight and age. He 'might' be eating a cup to a cup-and-a-half, usually far from the approx 3 cups that is recommended.

I give him 1 cup in the morning, and usually there's still a little left by late afternoon. If he does finish by evening, and I give him another cup, he's never finished that cup by nightfall. He's still drinking a ton of water, and looks healthy...

Any tips/hints/tricks?

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http://members.rogers.com/angusnewf
Angus, born Nov 4, 2001

 

[GAD]

Nothing immediette comes to mind except that a puppy should want to eat.

Have you called your breeder and vet?

GAD

 

[GAD]

Also are you feeding the same food your breeder fed the pup?

GAD

 

[Kootch]

I feeding him the exact same food as the breeder. I had him to the vet yesterday for the 'New Puppy Checkup' and the vet didn't seem concerned, although I didn't raise it as a huge issue. I just mentioned that he wasn't eating as much as was suggested by the pet food company. The vet's response was that he's healthy and growing and that puppies will eat as much as they need, generally.

I just thought some Newf veterans might have tips on cutting the feedings up in to small portions (1/4 cup at a time) or giving him the full daily allowance in the morning and allowing him to eat at his pace or something. Or maybe mixing a little canned in with the kibble, I don't know...

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http://members.rogers.com/angusnewf
Angus, born Nov 4, 2001

 

[kzdz]

I've had occasional problems getting Morgan to eat. Even as a pup she would occasionally "skip" meals. She seems able to tell when she's been given more than her body will use up. It actually makes it difficult sometimes because we can't bribe her with food when she doesn't want to do something. Although she always seems willing to eat "people food."

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it too much unless he's getting real thin and seems to not have any energy. Different dogs have different personalities when it comes to eating. My other two will scarf up whatever I give them whenever they can get it!

 

[sarnewfie]

During Growth Spurts i have found loss of apetite is normal do not panic, he is eating some of the food wich is good, it is normal even for some to go off their food for a day, wich i believe good for them they are naturally fasting themselves.
relax, if the vet said he is ok, and your breeder thinks him to be fine, dont sweat it.
some newfs scarf their food like there is no tomorrow, and some nibble, and take their time, some dont eat the required amount.
mine get 2 cups dry and 1/2 can canned daily.
that is it. (adults)
as pups they may eat as much as 6 cups a day, i am not to alarmed when they have loss of apetite as long as they eat some. and it is not for an extended period of time.

 

[Kootch]

Thanks again folks. He is starting to eat a little better each day. Sometimes I have to sit or stand beside him to get him interested tho

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http://members.rogers.com/angusnewf
Angus, born Nov 4, 2001

 

[Kanela]

Nani's the same about eating alone. She'll eat a bite or two at first but she has to make sure someone's there with her before she'll continue. Sometimes I have to stir her food around with my hand to get her interested. But those Natural Choice Lamb & Rice meat rolls work wonders on her appetite! And, of course, the peanut butter and cheese.

Kanela

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"To err is human.
To forgive, canine."

 

[bridge2itnf@aol.com]

Charting and weighing in tells everything. Never force feed a puppy with mixing anything in there food.Under normal conditions they will eat when hungry. Put the food down and give him 20 min. to eat then take it up, never leave the food down for long periods. Anyway thats what my breeder told us to do, and it worked for us.Tuggs still isnt a big eater, but weighs in at 150 lbs, and to me he looks on the slim side. weigh him often, to make sure he is up to weight he needs to be . Bridget