[MamaforLexi]

Hi everyone,

Ok so my 2 year old cocker/lab mix has not been eating as much as she usually does. We just competely switched her food from Purnia Pro Plan to Nature's Recipe. When we were introducing the new food she would eat everything in her bowl within 5 minutes, now she will eat more slowly and she doesn't eat all of it. I've been taking it away after 20 minutes when she doesn't eat it all. I don't know if she just don't like the new food or if there is something suddenly wrong with her.

 

[RonE]

The first thing I always recommend in the event of a suden change in appetite is a vet check to make sure there isn't some medical basis.

 

[alphadoginthehouse]

Butch hasn't been eating as much because of the heat. Roxxy almost ALWAYS eats all of her food. A vet check is a good idea but in the summer, almost all the dogs I have ever had eat less. I watch it but don't become concerned unless they don't eat anything for 2 or more days.

Something else to consider is she may not need as much of the new food you are giving her. How much did you feed her on the other food and how much less is she eating now?

Let us know how she does.

 

[Jr. Dog Expert]

If possible get your dog checked up by the vet, and if there is no problem then it might be that your dog may not need as much of the new food because it fulfills her dietary needs in less of the amount as compared to Purina.

If it is hot around your area then try adding just a little moisture to the food or something that will make it moist AND more palatable such as wet food. If she eats it all, then the heat or the taste of the new food might be a reason why she is eating less. After a little while ween her off the wet food (if this is what you decide to use) and return to the regular dry food. This usually does the trick for my dog, give it a try.

 

[MamaforLexi]

Something else to consider is she may not need as much of the new food you are giving her. How much did you feed her on the other food and how much less is she eating now?

Let us know how she does.

The old stuff I would feed her 2 cup a day (1cup in morning and 1cup in the evening) and the new stuff, the bag says that for a 40lbs dog to feed 3 cup (1 1/2cups in morning and 1 1/2cup in the evening). I looks to me that she is eating less than 1cup of her new food. My dad thinks that she just doesn't like the new food and doesn't seem to think we need to take her to the vet. I think we should. As for the weather, it has been in the 100s the past 4 days. I didn't even think that would be a factor since she's inside most of the time.

 

[alphadoginthehouse]

Mine are inside as well most of the time, but come summer...

I would watch her. And the bag is an estimate...if mine ate what the bag recommends, they would both be porkers!

Measure exactly what you give her for each feeding and try keeping track of what she doesn't eat. If it's that she doesn't like the food, when she gets hungry she'll eat.

You didn't say how long this has been going on. And it sounds like your dad has the say over what happens to her so maybe you could call your vet and see what they have to say.

 

[TooneyDogs]

It's not the amount of food that you need to compare. You want to look at the number of calories.....1 cup of pro plan (calorie wise) may be very different than 1 cup of Natures Recipe. The dogs metabolism will dictate how many calories they can absorb.
If they're about equal then, it's probably the new food or the weather.

 

[MamaforLexi]

Mine are inside as well most of the time, but come summer...

I would watch her. And the bag is an estimate...if mine ate what the bag recommends, they would both be porkers!

Measure exactly what you give her for each feeding and try keeping track of what she doesn't eat. If it's that she doesn't like the food, when she gets hungry she'll eat.

You didn't say how long this has been going on. And it sounds like your dad has the say over what happens to her so maybe you could call your vet and see what they have to say.

Ok I'll start to keep track of how much she's not been eating. This has only been going on for a day and half so I know I should worry too much yet but she's my first dog. I'm glad to know that if she's hungry she will end up eating her food. I did notice that this morning she ate a little more than yesterday. As for my dad having the say over what happens is not true, since I am in my 20s and do not have to listen to my dad. He has had dogs before so I trust his judgement more than my own since this is my first dog and I don't really know what to expect with everything.

 

[alphadoginthehouse]

Sorry, I thought you were younger from your statement about your dad and the dog. It's hard to know when to call and when not to. And like Tooney mentioned, check the calories for each food (if you still have the bag for the old stuff). Better quality does make a difference on how much you have to give them.

Good luck. Hope all goes well.

 

[MamaforLexi]

Sorry, I thought you were younger from your statement about your dad and the dog. It's hard to know when to call and when not to. And like Tooney mentioned, check the calories for each food (if you still have the bag for the old stuff). Better quality does make a difference on how much you have to give them.

Good luck. Hope all goes well.

It's ok. I understand why you would think that I was younger than I am. I had to move back home after I finished my Bachelor's and am waiting to get into a Master's program.

Anyways, I think your right she may just need less of the new food. For dinner I only gave her 1cup and she ate it up pretty fast so I gave her a 1/2cup more to see if she'd eat all the recommended amount that's on the bag and she didn't eat much more and she seems happy if with that. So now I'm not as concerned about it. Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions.

 

[MamaforLexi]

I am happy to report that my Lexi is eating and is doing great. Thanks for everyone's suggestions. They were all very helpful.

 

[alphadoginthehouse]

I'm so glad she's eating again. It can be worrisome when you don't know what's going on.