My puppy isn’t eating

[Lalifraga201]

Hello I am new here and I am a first time Doberman owner so I need help and I hope I can get some answers here..my pup is a boy and he is going to be 5 months in a couple of days and all has gone good but I have noticed that within the past week and half he has started eating way less than usual his stool is normal he isn’t acting weird his energy levels are the same we take him out on walks feed him at the same time every day he is on three meals a day and he barely touches his first and second meal of the day but he eats his last meal of the day sometimes wanting seconds has anyone else experienced this? I do plan on taking him to vet to get checked

 

[JanS]

Welcome from Minnesota!

How is your boy's condition? That's the most important thing to take into consideration. They do generally slow down in eating at this age when the growth isn't as rapid. I would stop giving the middle meal and just feed him morning and evening. If he doesn't eat everything within 20 minutes or so, pick up the dish and don't offer it to him until the next scheduled meal time. Also don't give him seconds at the one meal he does eat with gusto.

 

[Ravenbird]

What @JanS said. If he doesn't want as much food but isn't losing weight, he is just saying he doesn't need it. He should still be growing a lot at 5 months, so watch that he doesn't get too thin. That said, I'd opt for too thin than too fat, especially a growing pup. Pictures would be really helpful.

 

[Lalifraga201]

Welcome from Minnesota!

How is your boy's condition? That's the most important thing to take into consideration. They do generally slow down in eating at this age when the growth isn't as rapid. I would stop giving the middle meal and just feed him morning and evening. If he doesn't eat everything within 20 minutes or so, pick up the dish and don't offer it to him until the next scheduled meal time. Also don't give him seconds at the one meal he does eat with gusto.

He’s healthy last vet check he weighed 45 pounds which I’m sure he’s gained a couple pounds from the i do feel him heavier but I will consider only doing two meals and watching how he does with that

 

[Lalifraga201]

What @JanS said. If he doesn't want as much food but isn't losing weight, he is just saying he doesn't need it. He should still be growing a lot at 5 months, so watch that he doesn't get too thin. That said, I'd opt for too thin than too fat, especially a growing pup. Pictures would be really helpful.

I’m taking him to the vet and I will check his weight last time we went he was about 45 pounds I don’t think he is loosing weight he looks pretty healthy to me and he feels heavier as well like I said his energy is the same he sleeps the same no more no less

 

[Ravenbird]

Hard to tell from that photo but he looks like he's getting plenty to eat. From your description & photo I'm thinking he just doesn't need/want as much food as you were giving him. Nice looking pup!

 

[JanS]

I agree, he looks in good shape so he just doesn't need as much anymore.

 

[EricA]

he isn’t acting weird his energy levels are the same we take him out on walks feed him at the same time every day he is on three meals a day and he barely touches his first and second meal of the day but he eats his last meal of the day sometimes wanting seconds has anyone else experienced this? I do plan on taking him to vet to get checked

I feed once per day at 8:30PM.

I don't need a watch or clock to know when it is that time because the girls (with their biological 'food time' clocks in perfect working order) will be 'eye balling' me looking for their dinner!

At that age it pays to be extra cautious about what (the volume and 'what' it actually might be) they are eating along with keeping an eye on their stools and activity levels.

You deserve credit for noticing a change and becoming alerted that something may be 'not right'.


I had a pet sitter one time whose small dog swallowed a bottle cap. She didn't figure it out until it was a big problem that required a $2000.00 surgery to resolve.

I can't count how many times over the years that I have had young Dobermans swallow stuff they were not supposed to.

Last time for me (when the current girls were about that same age and I was still in the process of 'house training' them) I came home from a 15 minute trip to the store to find that they had been playing with the wing nuts and washers from one of my tools while I was gone and that 3 of the wing nuts were no longer present. No longer present as in - 'I looked and did not find them because somebody ate them'.

Was this tool and had the wing nuts and washers laying on the floor loose when I left.

Found 'evidence' of their attempted theft in both of their crates when I got back. (the wing nuts and washers that they did not swallow)

I pretty much knew which dog ate my stuff. Aside of being the well known 'destroyer, chewer, and swallower of stuff' she just plain looked guilty!

Theft is treated seriously around here and if I KNOW that a fido of mine has stolen something of mine and tried to hide it in their tummy - I AM getting my stuff back. To let them keep it is akin to rewarding bad behavior and I am not going for that!

I keep that same exact kit at work and at home. If the dogs spend any time there - Those items are around for emergencies.

Only took me about 15 minutes to completely empty Patience out and not find my wing nuts.

They were in sisters tummy.