Posted by Doreen Simpkins
on May 8, 2009, 4:24 pm, in reply to "Eating habits"
Hello Marilyn,
Is your 13 year old dog, new to your pack, or has he been part of the pack for a while? Roles/behaviours change in packs all the time, and a newer member of the pack is likely to try and appease more established members of the pack, in order to be fully accepted.
Is your dog showing any physical or behavioural changes, like weight loss, dry coat/skin, excessive drinking/urination? These can all indicate a need for a health check up to exclude physical conditions.
From what you say about him, he does not seem to be anorexic, merely that he eats slower than the two younger dogs,( are his teeth in good condition, or could dental problems be contributing to his slow eating pattern?) which is not unusual.
Dogs are natural scavengers who in the wild do not know when their next meal is coming from, so when an opportunity presents itself they take advantage!
You have two/three options, feed the older dog separately, which will ensure hew gets time to eat his food without being "pressured", or teach the two younger ones what behaviour you expect. That can be done by consistently supervising at feeding time and sending the other dogs away if they approach the older dogs' bowl, clicker training might be useful to try. Some owners find feeding the dogs in a set order and in the same place helps prevent "opportunistic" raids on neighbouring bowls!
The older dog may be getting too much food, older dogs do not need as much food as younger ones, especially if their physical activity levels are reduced, otherwise they get overweight.If food is still in the bowl about 10 minutes or so after being put down, he is probabaly getting too much, pick up the bowl and give nothing except water until the next meal. Then at the next meal give slightly less, and see if that is all taken.
If you usually feed once a day, you might need to consider feeding half the amount twice a day to the older dog, as this is soemtimes helpful. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Doreen Simpkins
www.haveahappyhound.co.uk
--Previous Message--
: My 13 year old rescue dog eats half his food
: and then pushes the bowl away. If I pick it
: up and feed him he happily finishes it off
: and will even tackle more. If I don't
: assist, the other 2 dogs will eventually
: finish theirs and come over and finish his
: so he has now come to expect waiter service
: every time. I don't mind doing this but it
: seems odd behaviour. The other 2 dogs are
: younger (3 & 4) and higher ranking.
: Could this be part of pack behaviour?
:
54
Message Thread:
« Back to thread