I have a 4yr old Westie/Jack Russel cross who came from a re-homing centre. I have been following the instructions for feeding during the week I have had him - approx 60gms Autarky a day, which I divide into two meals of 1/3rd and 2/3rds. However he seems to be desperately hungry from about noon onwards, pushing his water bowl around & upturning it, and mumbling to himself constantly. He's way ahead of me if I make a move towards the kitchen, sitting up begging ! Very hard to resist you'll agree. He's a very active little dog, plays lots and loves walks. Should I increase his food and watch his weight, presently 6 kilos, or wear ear plugs ??

is he the correct weight at the moment? i would be tempted to just give him something to chew on and occupy himself, pigs ear, trotter etc..

> and mumbling to himself constantly

I loved this description!! What a babe :)

He's probably still on different timings than you and it'll take a while for him to get into your routines.  If he wants to be busy with his food he might like to find it for himself- have a look at the molecuball - perhaps he could have a small afternoon snack in a treat ball such as this. 

I'd be tempted to keep the quantities the same but he may prefer his larger meal in the morning and it might keep him sustained for longer.  After a couple of weeks you'll have a better idea of his weight - gaining or maintaining - and you can adjust if you need to.

If he was in a busy rehoming centre there may have been other prompts - such as staff changes, cleaning, open hours etc - that triggered his theatrics so it might not be food hunger but attention seeking.  A clever little bean that may just need a lunchtime outing to distract him!!  He sounds delightful - well done you :)

Hi Sheila P
I think your dog maybe hungry as that does not sound alot to me 60gms...a dog weighing between 5-10 kg should be getting 95-180gms approx. I think i would be tempted to increase his feed slightly.

It might be that he was free-fed before he went into rescue, this would make him think he was being deprived at first LOL

Whether to give extra food very much depends on his weight at the moment, his age, whether he is a long legged type or a short legged type, how much exercise he gets etc ;)   If he feels muscular and his ribs can be felt but not seen, then he's probably getting enough.  I would only give more if he starts to lose weight or if you think he's underweight now ;)

I bought a treat ball from Tesco's.  It has  a sound similar to the Wiggly Giggly ball and dispenses treats/food.  His Autarky would fit in there nicely :) My terriers love this :)

Also, as has been suggested, try giving him something to chew, ours love the steamed, filled bones - I put peanut butter, cream cheese, fish paste etc. in them once they have been emptied and this gives them something to work at.  Pigs ears and Tripe sticks are also a nice treat, but careful not to give too many as he's just an little dog :)

Love the description of him grumbling away to himself :-D

Feel along his sides.  I when you stroke them lightly with your hands you can just make out each rib - he's fine as he is right now.   If his ribs are prominent, feed him a bit more.  If you can barely feel his ribs or need pressure to feed them, he actually needs to loose weight.

My two Cairns are constantly "hungry."  They were hungry all the time when they were overweight - they are hungry all the time now that they are the correct weight.  If I make a noise in the kitchen that could possibly have anything to do with food preparation - they are in the kitchen in an instant.  

With a lot of dogs, appearing to be hungry is not a good indication of whether they really are or not. 

Raw carrot and other crunch veg (no onions) are great as treats for dogs - mine always get something when I am preparing people food.

between feeds i give my dog a carrot which is filling but not fattening

between feeds i give my dog a carrot which is filling but not fattening

> I think your dog maybe hungry as that does not sound alot to me 60gms...a dog weighing between 5-10 kg should be getting 95-180gms approx

I know all foods are different but my two Cavaliers get 70g of Origen each per day. Although they are active, they are both neutered and have tendencies to pile on weight and I know that with any more food given, their weight will start to climb. I also give carrot as a treat - I just top and tail medium sized carrots and they chomp away at them.

Why not make him work for his meal instead of giving it to him free?

He may be missing that.

There is no reason at all why meals should be given in a bowl.

If you feed dry food I would do the following:

Divide his meals into 3/4 per day
Scatter one lot on the lawn if you have one so that he has to search and find his food
Stuff a kong with another meal so that he has to work to get it out
Put another meal in a treat cube so again he has to work it out
And feed the 4th throughout the day whilt training him.

This will keep him mentally and physically exercised...........