HI, Just wondering if people think its normal for a 6 month old puppy to have some days where she wont eat any of her meals. She is a border/norfolk terrier cross so isn't a big dog but generally will only eat one meal each day(I always offer 3). and somedays will nibble just a little bit of one meal and thats her lot.
She seems healthy, loves her walks and does plenty of no.2s, so I imagine she must be ok, but everytime I look at the dog food box it seems to suggests she should be eating alot more.I am thinking of changing the food, we have been using pedigree puppy chicken and rice and have also tried bakers puppy, but doesn't seem excited about either of them. Any help appreciated.!!

It might be time to cut down on the number of meals a day which she gets - she's only a small breed and she's still on 3 meals a day.  You could try feeding only 2 meals a day.

I think you should change her diet, but that's my personal opinion.  I don't like the ingredients in either Pedigree or Bakers.  (especially not Bakers).  It's the doggie equivalent of McDonalds.

Have a look at these foods and choose from them;

www.wellbeloved.co.uk
www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk
www.ardengrange.com

(Those are all dry.)

Wet: www.naturediet.net
www.naturesmenu.co.uk

Thanks, I am definitely going to change the food, I will have look at those you suggested and try to make a decision on the best one. The only reason I offer three meals is that when I put her food down for her in the morning she sniffs it and walks away, so I offer some more at lunchtime, and its hit and miss if she has any then so I try again at dinnertime. Maybe if I try one of these different foods she might be more interested.

She will be more interested for a short time - then she will start turning up her nose at the new food. :) If you start chopping and changing foods you will find you are changing it every few weeks.

I don't see any need for a small breed to be on 3 meals a day at 6 months.  As you say she is fit and well in herself on her present food I would keep her on it but reduce to feeding twice or even once a day for such a small dog. Put the food down. If she eats it, great, if she doesn't lift it after 15 minutes and repeat the next time.

Forget all about the amounts recommended on the side of the packet and keep an eye on her weight by making sure that her ribs can be felt but are covered. If they are, then she is getting enough food. My lot (a much bigger breed) have never eaten anything like the amount recommended for any brand of dog food.

Nearly everyone I know in dogs feeds a lot less than it says on the food guides.

In fact with my breed I advise to feed somewhere between half and two thirds of the amount advised.

The reason she doesn't eat all ehr meals is because she is getting too much at other meals and simply isn't hungry and is adjusting ehr intake to keep a healthy weight.

Unfortuantely this may not alst and if you keep offering ehr so much she is likely eventualy to get fat as she gets less lively with adulthood.

Hi Sam,

In my breed (Cairns) most breeders recommend one meal a day at 6 months old.  If you feed your dog in the morning than a light snack (Bonio or the equivalent) in the evening is fine, or vice versa.  Mine also love small pieces of carrot, cucuumber or any crunch veg whilst I'm cooking!

Manufacturers suggested feeding amounts are almost always too much.  Generally they need to be cut down by 20-50%, depending on how active your dog is, its metabolism, and how much other stuff you feed.

All dogs should be on the lean side, even small dogs.  An overweight small dog can easily do a lot of damage to it's legs by jumping off the sofa, getting out of the car, or just running.  Although they tend not to have the hip problems big dogs do they more than make up for it by being prone to knee problems and ripped muscles.

Thanks, Cairns are a similar size to my poppy so I think I will persevere with two meals a day but if she doesn't eat one I wont worry about it. Thanks all for putting my mind at rest.

Sounds to me like your pup is gorging itself for a few days, feeling full for another few days and then starting over again.  The general rule is that if they leave some, cut down.  The 'guide amounts' given on dog food are just that - some dogs need more and some need less for optimum health.  Try going down to 2 meals a day of your chosen food, putting it down for maximum 20 minutes, then throwing away what your pup doesn't eat.  Next meal give a bit less and do the same.  Keep doing this until you find how much your pup will eat at both meals (same amount) obviously ensuring that pup doesn't become over/underweight :)

Edit to say - a couple of tablespoons of boiling water mixed into dry kibble can make the food much more appealing to dogs.  Just make sure its cooled from boiling to warm (which only takes about 30 seconds with that amount) before you give it to pup :)

Hi Sam diss

my pup is also 6 months old and she sometimes misses meals.  She will go a few days of eating well then its almost like she cant be bothered.  I have changed her routine which is working really well.  Instead of giving her breakfast (she just wasnt interested at 8.30am).  I feed her after her morning walk - 10.30-11am - she eats the lot with no messing.  She is then fed again at 6ish, again no messing.  I cut her meals down from 3 to 2 a few weeks ago - she just wasnt eating it!  Shes fed on JWB with a bit of nature diet on the top.  All dogs are different and the instructions on the packet are only a guidline.  I saw my vet today and asked him about feeding - he said this was pretty normal and some dogs are happy on just the one meal.  I wouldnt worry too much, as long as you see no difference in her.  I fed her on Bakers for a while but I have to agree,it is rubbish

Thanks for the excellent advice. The last two days I have made sure the meals are only left down for 20 mins and not put too much in her bowl, and then taken up whats not eaten. I also tried giving her the first meal after morning walk as suggested at about 11 and then another about 6 pm, she has finished all meals, couldn't believe it. It was so nice to see her tucking in rather than just sniffing it and walking away. So big thanks again.