My picky eater is at it again, sigh... - Page 1

Okay, I'm about at my wits end!  Drake has never been a hog about food and gets picky about what I put in his bowl.  I decided to go raw about a month ago and he was eating just fine.  I was thrilled!  Well, a couple of days ago, he left the food and I didn't even realize until I went into the kitchen about 2 hours later... there is was, still in his bowl.  I don't get it and don't know what the issue is.  It was beef, shank with meat (stew type cut) that he turned his nose up at.  I put it in the fridge and he got it for dinner.  He still let it sit for quite a while before he ate it.  Then, next morning, chicken thighs, he ate one and left the other.  Organ meats he eats right up, but he can't exist on organ alone.  I'm still putting his food down and not giving in, but it's making me crazy.  I hate "food patrol" and having to put it up.  I had this problem with kibble.  He weighs in the vicinity of 90 lbs., give or take a few, and his weight seems stable.  We walk 3 miles, twice a day so he's getting excercise.  He does not have a place to run free like he once did, no place to play off lead.  The only place is a "dog park" and I don't do those for various, obvious reasons.  Anyway, can anyone give me suggestions or should I just stop worrying?  He did also have a loose stool this week, just thought I'd mention that.

P.S. Observation - He's always been more food driven with other dogs around.  He plays "I dare you" and seems to enjoy that.  Now that it's just the two of us, seems the fun has been taken out of meal time for him.  He also enjoyed play time with the other dogs and that's gone.  Could this be a sign of depression since his life has changed?  If so, what do I do?  And no, I'm not putting on fur and getting on all fours, LOL.

Oh Steph, how you tempt me!  She's a sweetheart.  If I had the means right now, I'd take her today!  Your girl would probably do the trick but right now, it's impossible. I don't even have the funds to ship!  Although, within a month, I'm planning on having an increase in income, so if she's still available, I just might!  Is she spayed?  He's intact and I wouldn't want any accidents.  Puppies I don't need, LOL.

I don't think he's sick, he's acting perfectly normal in every other way.  He scarfs up heart, liver, etc. with no problem!  He's also tearing around the dining room table with his toys, making me chase him.  He had loose stool one day, not liquid but looser than it's been since eating raw.

GSDtravels.

I suggest one of two things is happening. Either he is not feeling well periodically and, in that case, looking at blood work, stool consistency, temperature etc. in an organized fashion, perhaps over a week or two might be in order.

The second possibility is that he simply is not hungry.  Dogs will eat when they are hungry. If he is heavy, despite a walk etc., he does not need all the food and be glad he is not one of the dogs who will eat until becoming really obese. I see this frequently here where dogs decide not to eat for a day or two, and rarely three. Unless they appear ill, I don't get excited. They will eat when they are hungry. Put less food down, give him 5 minutes to eat it and pick it up and do not feed him again until the evening (if you feed twice a day). If you feed once a day, don't give him food again until the next morning. Part of picky eaters is almost always an indulgent owner sometime along the way. By putting less food down, picking it up and making him wait until the next feeding, sooner or later he will get the idea that if he is hungry, he better eat. In my opinion, overfeeding dogs is almost always the cause of picky eater issues, unless there is an illness.

It does not matter what you feed, as long as it is a diet that meets the standards, minimal as they are. You could feed him his favorite treat and if he is not really hungry, he isn't going to eat and that is a good thing. I will also tell you that it might be a good idea to consider whether he is overweight. I have some large males and none are as heavy as you say he is. Lean is better, in all ways.

Good luck.

I am in agreement, if there seems to be signs of slow motility, maybe blood workup is in order. If he is playing and seems his normal self, could someone else be feeding him.  Gsdtravels are you coming to Stephs for the get together?
Always,
Cee

Hodie, thank you, I always welcome your opinion!  I don't think he's overweight, he is oversized.  I've never had him officially measured but I'm thinking about 27".  His ribs are visible and he is quite agile, despite being a bit large.  You are correct about someone making him picky.  My X2B was always trying to get him to eat more because he though he needed more weight.  I disagreed and it became one of many sticking points in bad marriage, just something else to fight about.  He was always adding goodies to his food, which was too much to begin.  At one point he was up to 97 lbs. and I knew he needed to come down.  Since he's been exclusively mine, I've tried very hard to make him eat what I put down.  When I first left and was on the road, I did worry because he lost almost 10 lbs. (went down to 82) and was looking a bit too thin.  I was adding tuna and salmon but he turned his nose up at that too.  So, I got strict and stopped adding anything.  If he didn't eat, he didn't eat.  His food was put up and he didn't get anything else until the next meal.  But now, with raw, it's got to go in the fridge and it's just a pain.  That's it more than anything.  It's not so much that I'm worried about him losing weight, more that I hate "food patrol".  Maybe I will try feeding him smaller portions and waiting until he "asks" for more.  Even when he was eating kibble, you could hand him a steak and he's sniff it before "deciding" if he even wanted it!  Food driven, he's not, never has been.  Show him a ball, toy, or throw something and you get his attention!  Could be me overthinking and worrying because his weight is stable.  If it continues and I notice a loss, I will make an appointment and have the testing you suggested done.  I'll try to get some pics today in the sun so you have a good idea of his weight.  Maybe I'm even wrong on that, I wouldn't mind your opinion.  Thank you!

Malshep, I would LOVE to come to Steph's, just don't know if I can.  I'm waiting on the remainder of my settlement and it's slow in coming.  I had so many plans that have been waylayed.  Right now, I'm starting up a new business, not the one I initially intended.  But, it's instant income and as customers increase, so will the flow of cash.  I do have some money set aside but need to keep it stashed for emergencies, such as a sick dog.  So, if I can financially, I will.  Just can't make that commitment at this point.

Maybe it's just the change in seasons,  Mine have been eating grass, throws things off a bit.
They know somethings different, winters over.  They are bugging me to take them places more.

Watch his weight and energy levels, don't worry unless you see a real problem.
They do get this way sometimes for a couple of days , at least mine do, they spring back unless something is really wrong.

Moons.