9mth old alaskan malamute male,gone from eating anythink in site,to not touching his food four days on end,he is feed on burns with small amount of meat added.he will eat any think else if i let him ie our food biscuits etc.he is fit and well in him self.any ideas would be great thanks

Hiya,

I don't know anything about Mals eating habits but am assuming that they're just like any other breed.

Do you feed him 'human' food often?  If so, it may be that he's getting a bit spoilt, and thinking his burns is not good enough for him!

Personally, I'd get him checked over by the vet.  If there's nothing physically wrong, it may be a good idea to stop any treats and give his normal food at the usual times.  Leave it down for about 15 minutes, and if he doesn't touch it, take the food away, and offer his next meal at the normal time.  Eventually he'll realise that he's not going to get anything else, and he has to eat his own food.
A normal, healthy dog will never starve, and will eat when they're hungry enough.

I'm sure there will be others along shortly who can help out a bit more.

Best of luck,

Lisa

Hi,

My Mal is 7 month's and I have never had a problem with his eating habits.  When my Samoyed was a youngster, she used to go off her food for weeks but she would still eat all the treats I gave her.  Maybe he is a fussy eater.  The other thing to check is maybe you are feeding him too much.  Tundra's breeder once told me that they don't need as much food as other large breeds.  He is on a special GI Eukanuba diet and I give him 3 cups a day......less than my Sam.  If Melody is around, she should be able to help.......I'm just a newbie to Malamutes!

Hope you get the problem sorted!

Hi Guest...Malamutes tend to eat when they want to rather than when you want them to ;) If you are at all worried, take him to the vet.

Is it possible for you to contact your breeder? That is the person who will normally give you advice , especially if you got him from a reputable source :)

Make sure you put his food down for only 15 minutes, then lift it and don't put it back again until the next feed time :) Do NOT give him anything else apart from his food , otherwise he is just training you to feed him your food. Male Malamutes can be extremely strong willed and you need to make sure you are the top dog now otherwise you will have major problems when he hits adolescence in a few months time. If you need any further help please email me

Melody :)

Your Mal has learnt that he doesn't have to eat his food because you'll give him something much tastier ;)

I have a Mal who will go without food but I have to ignore it..... many people don't see any harm in the dogs going without for a day or two - it's what they would have done originally. I think it's also too easy to overfeed a Mal... even though they are large dogs, they are "fuel economical".

Do as the others say, offer his meals and offer nothing else.... if he starts eating a meal but not every day, try reducing the amount you are giving...... It's working for me :)

Poor Kai and Kodi ...you are a BAD MUMMY

:p :p :p

I might be a bad Mummy, but for the first time Kai's actually polishing off his dinner EVERY DAY :D *If* they eat their dinner, then they'll get a treat later on ;)

So much easier with Daddy away all week ;)