Advice on feeding two dogs at once

992 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Roxy5, Aug 26, 2012

Roxy5

Discussion Starter · Aug 25, 2012

We have had roxy (lab/pit rescue) for about two years now and have had several hurdles with her being a picky eater. After some stomach issues she finally settled on a dry dog food that she was always excited to eat, Science Diet Light. A few days ago I brought home a 2 year old german shepherd (work dog) and began the introduction process. Most of it has gone well but the part where we have been clueless is the feeding. To date there is no food aggression from either dog, however Roxy is no longer interested in her food and only wants what the new dog is eating (Science Diet Active). I have tried feeding them at the same time and separately. When I feed the shepherd in his kennel roxy will lay outside his kennel until he is done and will not touch her food. I tried feeding them both a few feet away from each other and neither could focus enough to complete their meal and roxy had zero interest in her food until I dumped her food into his bowl once he was "done". Any suggestions or insight on Roxy's behavior would be greatly appreciated.

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Shell

· #2 · Aug 25, 2012

Completely separate rooms.

Put the food down for 10-15 minutes, pick it up at the end of the time. No envy over the other's food, no chance of food aggression, they don't get the choice of being picky.

I feed my dog in the kitchen and my foster in the bedroom. Takes just a few seconds to set the food down in one room and then the other room. If one finishes their food faster, they can chill until the other one is done. I pick up both bowls and then let both dogs loose.

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Abbylynn

· #3 · Aug 25, 2012

Maybe try feeding them in separate rooms where they cannot see each other at all ... is my suggestion. I have one dog who will always wait until the other two are finished before he will eat his dinner. I have to remove his food to another area if I don't feel like begging him to eat.

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Loki Love

· #4 · Aug 26, 2012

Yup, I agree with the others. We feed Loki upstairs in the kitchen (where he's always been fed); whereas Livia (whom we've had for a month now) is fed in the basement, in her crate. They can hear each other, but not see each other. Livia also eats MUCH faster than Loki so she is kept downstairs until I know Loki is finished

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PatchworkRobot

· #5 · Aug 26, 2012

Shell said:
Completely separate rooms.

Put the food down for 10-15 minutes, pick it up at the end of the time. No envy over the other's food, no chance of food aggression, they don't get the choice of being picky.

I feed my dog in the kitchen and my foster in the bedroom. Takes just a few seconds to set the food down in one room and then the other room. If one finishes their food faster, they can chill until the other one is done. I pick up both bowls and then let both dogs loose.

This is my exact suggestion too.

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Roxy5

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 26, 2012

Tried feeding roxy in the dining room this morning and the shephard in his crate in the living room. Roxy ate pretty well but he did not, and roxy kept coming in to check on him. I have a door to the basement so maybe I will take it one step further and put a closed door between them based on the advice I am getting.

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