How can I get my dalmatian to eat when she is supposed to?
Laura C asked:
We have a 1 year old dalmatian, and a 2 1/2 year old dachshund. We feed them in the morning, and at night. For the past month or so, the dalmatian will NOT eat when her food is put down,whereas the chow-hound dachshund will gobble his up every time. The dalmatian walks away, or at the very minimum just takes a few bites.
We have a 1 year old dalmatian, and a 2 1/2 year old dachshund. We feed them in the morning, and at night. For the past month or so, the dalmatian will NOT eat when her food is put down,whereas the chow-hound dachshund will gobble his up every time. The dalmatian walks away, or at the very minimum just takes a few bites.
Our vet said not to allow “free feeding”, where you just leave the food there and let them eat when they want. Besides, if there is any food the dalmatian leaves — the dachshund is quickly ears-deep in her bowl.
Any suggestions? If she doesn’t eat, she throws up about midafternoon, which is getting quite old and annoying.
We don’t want to try “bribing” her with people food to get her to eat. We don’t want them eating people food.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!!
.
Tags: Chow Hound, Ears, Vet
November 27th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
You can get a little stand that raises her dish up to her level. That way she can free feed and the little dog won’t be able to reach her food.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:30 am
Only two things I can think of would be to maybe just feed her once a day only or decrease the amount of food your feeding her. Dog food companies suggestions are too much for an adult dog they should have 3 cups total dry food each day. Feeding her once a day may make her more hungry when feeding time comes.
December 1st, 2008 at 6:14 am
I free feed everyone. The one Ive had the longest has his check up two days ago and is just fine. I make sure all the food bowls have food all the time.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Your dalmatian maybe ill if she is not eating, or like my sisters boston terrier have a sensitive stomach. My sister actually cooks for her dog and stopped the throwing up. She makes the dog boiled liver and rice (regular long cooking) you do not spice these like you would “people food”. Another good thing is you can add vegetables as well so the dog gets a balanced diet.
December 6th, 2008 at 12:28 am
try to change the food , thats the first thing ,, maybe the food is not filling for her , second you need to sperate them for few days or feed them speretly take some of the food on your hand and give it to her and see what would happen , before that make sure she does not have allerge from the food , good luck
December 6th, 2008 at 8:34 am
If *you* were told by the government that you *had* to eat at 3:12 AM, and 3:12 PM, could only have Post Toasties covered with tofu to eat, and you had to finish eating in 7 minutes each time, you’d probably not like it very much.
Why the bleep is it OK for *you* to have some variety in what you eat, but not OK for your dog?
If your dalmation doesn’t eat, she vomits in midafternoon? What is it that she’s vomiting? Aren’t you paying ANY attention to your dog at all?
Your vet is a nazi. I’d recommend replacing her with a vet who realizes dogs are people, except that it appears you don’t do that either. You’re a slaveowner.
Manumission is the answer. Your dachshund seems perfectly happy to play Stepford Dog, but your dalmation deserves to live with someone who is willing to accept her, just the way she is.
December 6th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
well, like your vet said, don’t allow free feeding. take away your dalmatian’s bowl after around ten or fifteen minutes . this trains your dog that if she does not eat, she will get none at all. another way is try to mix your dog’s food with some sauce, soup, or gravy. this entices my schnauzer to eat because of the smell. it should not be exactly too strong though.also, try giving your dog some treats. if she likes this, mix a little in her bowl, so as she looks for them in the bowl, she will eat a little more dog food along. as your dog eats more, lessen the amount of treats until there is no more, and she purely eats dog food! VOILA!!(sorry if it doesn’t work…)
December 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Only leave the food down for 15 minutes. If she doesn’t eat it, take it up and put it down again at the next feeding time. Again leave it for 15 minutes. If she knows that those are the only times of day food is avaiable, she’ll start eating it.
Could it be that she would prefer to eat one big meal instead of two small meals? If you find she’s only eating in the evening, double the amount you give her.
December 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
What does the vet say about the vomiting? Has she never eaten well or is this a recent change? What are you feeding her? Is she overweight, underweight, just right? Does she get enough/any exercise? I don’t free feed my dogs, my mastiff used to eat the same way, don’t know how he got so big, but when I talked to the vet about it, she told me not to get all stressed about it- of course he was not vomiting. I did find that he will eat better in the morning if I take him for a walk first, let him cool down, and then feed him, and I know dalmations need ALOT of exercise….I would talk to the vet about the vomiting and what you are feeding her. I also switched my guys to Canidae from Nutro, and even my picky boy will eat it, with or without other stuff added in.