Increased appetite this time of the year?

zakatak

zakatak

New member
Hi All,

Quick question regarding our "hibernating bears". :!rolling: Dudley has suddenly started being VERY Hungry within the last week or so. He normally eats 2.5 cups at breakfast (6:30am) and 2.5 cups at dinner (5:30pm) and has been running at 130 pounds for a long time now.

Last week he started asking for dinner earlier around 4pm. I attributed it to the fall hours (getting darker earlier, etc). This week he moved it up to 2:30pm! :darn: He stands and BARKS at me until I either a) feed him or b) lose my mind! I try to put him off to at least 5pm so I don't have a hungry dog at 2am.

I took him to the vet this morning to get checked out and the vet said he feels GREAT, weight is GREAT (still 130) and that he is just getting signals to pack on the pounds for winter. He suggested I feed him lunch but not any more calorie food - so maybe green beans, rice, chicken, etc...

I fed him at Noon today (1 cup food with broccoli) and he was still asking for dinner at 3:30pm! GRRRRR....

So, after all that... is this normal or am I missing something important? I stocked up on rice and green beans for his lunch.

Experience with "seasonal hungries"?

Thanks in advance...
 
noblenewf

noblenewf

New member
Yep. Sounds about normal to me. Gabe's been waking me up at 5:30 am for his breakfast. And he's wanting his dinner around 3 now instead of 5. I swear you'd think I was starving him by the way he acts and carries on. A few weeks ago he woke me up at 2 am wanting his breakfast. Don't give in or it will just get worse. I had to shut him out of my bedroom. Then he scratched at the door. Finally after 20 minutes of ignoring him he stopped. They train us easily so watch out! LOL!
 
NewfieMama

NewfieMama

New member
noblenewf said:
Yep. Sounds about normal to me. Gabe's been waking me up at 5:30 am for his breakfast. And he's wanting his dinner around 3 now instead of 5. I swear you'd think I was starving him by the way he acts and carries on. A few weeks ago he woke me up at 2 am wanting his breakfast. Don't give in or it will just get worse. I had to shut him out of my bedroom. Then he scratched at the door. Finally after 20 minutes of ignoring him he stopped. They train us easily so watch out! LOL!
Click to expand...
Yes, this. Cooper had me up at 4 AM for a while last year. Though when we passed the 5 AM mark I was absolutely not feeding until I was ready to be up. He still liked the company, though, and someone to snuggle on the couch in the wee hours.
 
Charlie'sMom

Charlie'sMom

New member
Charlie is also looking for his meals earlier ... but I am a meanie so I just totally ignore him until it is time for his meal!
 
NewfieMama

NewfieMama

New member
Peter Maniate said:
Unless your Newf does not get out much in winter, you should be aware of winter weight versus summer weight and why feeding should be adjusted seasonally. Here is an article that I wrote on the subject http://www.hannibalkennels.on.ca/articles/breedlines/2007_09.htm .
Click to expand...

Wow, Peter, we've always had a hard time keeping weight on Cooper - he's always hovering around 110, though the breeder says he needs another 10 lbs or so. He HATES to swim, and when he gets wet, he looks utterly pathetic...so bony.

Could these be related, I wonder? Hating to swim and the weight issue?

(sorry for the hijack, OP!)
 
zakatak

zakatak

New member
Thanks, everyone! It's nice to know that I am not crazy and that Dudley isn't sick. :)

Green Beans it is!
 
Clifford the big dog

Clifford the big dog

New member
You could go to part of his meal earlier and save part for later. We do this when we are going to be out for the afternoon and evening.
I noticed earlier in the summer Clifford wanted less to eat, especially in the morning, he would leave some or not eat it until noon. So I cut back from 2 cups morning and night to 1 1/3 Cups am and 2 cups pm and he eats it all when fed. He gets a lot more walks and park time in the winter when it is cool enough for him to exercise more. I will probably have to up his food soon.
 
new_2_newf

new_2_newf

New member
Great info Peter, but how does one manage this with a growing pup? He naturally gets 'fatter' then 'skinner' as he has been growing, but I do keep him on the lean side intentionally. Is that something more to consider once they are done growing?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top