Hi

just thought i'd ask a quick question - My CKCS puppy is 9 weeks old and is extremly picky. He is on Beta puppy which the breeder originally gave him. He will eat his food at some times (breakfast) but then isn't bothered the rest of the day he also never seems to eat a great deal.
I am thinking about changing his food but really don't think this is the problem - he is just really fussy. I don't give him anything else besides his meals so it's not like he knows something better is coming along.
Will he grow out of this or should i be trying to make him eat more? How many meals should he be having - at the moment i offer him 4 a day. Also should these be all biscuit or should i still be giving him weetabix/ rice pudding?

Thanks

If you are feeding complete then its fine to feed all meals the same....in fact with a picky puppy its best.
The worse thing you can do is to chop and change his food...you'll only make it worse.Although Beta is not the choice of most people now a days if you want to change it might be worth deciding on another complete and SLOWLY mixing the new complete in to it
Archer

Thanks Archer

What food would you recommend? i am not impressed with this beta at all and will change him over (gradually) but need some advice or recommmendations. :0)

Thanks again

Personally if I were to feed complete then I would feed Autarky since I feel it is a good quality food without the 'designer' price tag.9Fed it for about 12 months with NO complaints and excellent results)
Burns is very popular as is JWB
Archer

Also you need to bear in midn that a puppy or adult of this breed do not actually need a lot to eat.  I would hazard a guess that he will not need any more than about 4oz a day, so over 4 meals that really is only a tiny amount.

How does he look and feel.  You should easily be ble to fel his structure, ribs etc under a light covbering of flesh and fur.  You shouldn't have to dig for them and the bones should not protrude.

If he is healthy then just accpt that he will misss some meals and offer him a normal amount next meal time.  do not be tempted to get him to eat the missed amount.  a little hunger will encourage him to eat what is put in front of him.

I had a bitch who I called anorexic, but she was alwys just a bit leaner than I wanted, though fit and healthy as can be.  Seh is now 7 and I am finally having to watch her weight (though spaying ehr last year may have contributed).

Beleive me the vast majoruity of pet Cavaliers are overweight, some extremely so, so being naturally lean will likely keeo him healthy.

Thank you  all  :)

I think i am a bit surprised by how little he eats as i've had boxers up until now and going from how much they eat to how much my litttle cavalier eats - well need i say anymore!!
:)

He looks and feels well but has dropped a little weight over the last week. However he has had his injections which put him off his food for a day or so (such a touchy fellow!!)

I think i may have been offering him too much at meal times and overfacing him, and have definately trying to make up for it by putting more in his dish if he has missed a meal so will change this.

Thanks again

Hopefully Moon maiden will see your post, as she has the breed ans will be more able to tell you about rtelevant amounts, but just to put it in perspective my adults only get 6 to 7ounces of complete and they arte a 43lb dog. :D