Henry won't eat his Canidae

[ontheriver]

Sorry, very long and winded post...

Henry, our 17 week old Newf mix, loved his Canidae when we first put him on it, but he hasn't been very excited about it for the past few weeks. Usually, he will eat it over the course of the day, but today, he wouldn't even come when I called him to eat. When he finally did come, he just nudged his food, and has shown no interest since then. He is still very excited about his daily treat bone (Old Mother Hubbard Give Me A Kiss) and occasional PB Kong, but not his food. I'm considering taking his food up if he doesn't eat within a certain time because I'm worried about it spoiling.

We were feeding him 3xday, but when we asked the vet about his 4 soft BMs per day and gassiness, she said that he was old enough to go to 2 feedings per day, but more food at each feeding. Otherwise, she felt that he could be slightly allergic to the Canidae. She agrees that Canidae is an excellent food, but some dogs just don't do well on it. The change to feeding 2xday dropped his BMs to 3 per day, but they're still occasionally soft. This schedule change seems to be when he lost interest in the food. The gassiness also seems to coincide with his separation anxiety (BM in his crate when left for 20 just minutes) and newly acquired car sickness.

Any suggestions? Should I fast him for a day? Should I change his food or is he just rebelling? Is it all just related to anxiety?

Oh, he gained 5 lbs. in 2 weeks, so I know he's not starving, and his energy level is normal (or above normal?

).

Thanks everyone!
Karen

 

[Sailorgirl]

How much food are you giving him? A lot of times soft stools are caused by feeding too much food.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

It does sound like he is getting too much food, as
Sailor mentioned. If he is gaining weight, then he is getting enough food and probably ignoring the rest.

 

[ontheriver]

I'm giving him 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 c. dry mixed with 1/4 can of wet 2xday.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

If it were me I would eliminate the canned food and see if he will eat his kibbles then. The 1/2 can of wet per day MAY be the cause of the loose stools and gas.
The three cups of dry a day may be plenty for him, depending on his size/build and weight.

 

[janices]

I had trouble with newfs wanting to eat Canidae which made me switch off it finally. Since then have had no problems with eating food. Molly can be a little picky sometimes but she usually eats and won't miss her evening meal where she gets her special treat of the day. Vet is right, some dogs just don't do well on certain foods. Brooke's on part regular and part no grains and her I'm considering switching her completely to the no grains food. She does better on a no grains food.

 

[ontheriver]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I took up his morning feeding that day and gave him only dry that evening. He took his time, but he ate it. Since then, I've given him only dry and he's had no gas or soft stools. Yeah! His vet (who is very nutrition-oriented) always suggests feeding a mix of wet and dry, so I'll just cut back on the wet, not eliminate it. I think a brand change is in order since he's not too crazy about it. Now, to decide on a new food. Oh, the choices...