FEEDING
Cooper was a breeze. We brought him home at almost four months old and the breeder gave us a small bag of the food she used. We spent a week and transitioned him to what we wanted to use, 4Health Puppy Food. He was easy, we free fed and he just noshed when hungry.
Then Murphy joined the household at three months old. His food was from the same manufacturer and we had no issues transitioning him to the 4Health food. But, he was a food scarfer...he would be done in two minutes!
First attempt at slowing him down was feeding him on a big baking sheet. Barely slowed him. Then we tossed in ice cubes. A touch slower. Finally, after much research, we bought a slow-feeder bowl. Wow! HUGE difference...
He used this bowl until about eight months old when Cooper finally was eating faster and Murphy had slowed down. He now eats out of a regular dog food bowl.
A side note, both have been taught manners. They sit and wait for the release command before starting to eat. And they don't try to eat out of each other's bowls - at least until both bowls are empty, then they just HAVE to lick each others. We have never had any signs of food aggression (or toy aggression). If your puppy displays those tendencies, the issue needs to be addressed immediately.
Murphy seems to have a lot of issues with itching and after trying several things, including a special parasite treatment and a shot for allergies, we had to change his food. We moved him to Pure Balance Salmon and Pea. It's not a puppy food so we have to calculate how much to feed him until he is an adult. That and the addition of Fish Oil to his food every day and the itching is gone! (Cooper now gets the fish oil on his food every morning, too.)
Doodle on!
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Stu and Donna
Oh, yes, Doodle food... When Edward started his thyroid medication he was always hungry, even eating things that weren't food! He's adjusted now, and gets a little breakfast (which of course the other dog has to have, but less). We switch out his protein source every 6 months or so, even though most of his allergies are seasonal (today is particularly bad for him) not food related. He starts to get itchy after about 6 months of what we had thought was the "wonder" food to solve it all! I need one of those slow feeder bowls for the other dog, Boo. Sometimes he eats so fast he chokes and hacks all the kibble up in the living room!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I think your post is more than "decent," but I agree you have "really quality data!"
It can be a battle for sure...
DeleteOh, and the spam post above you is now gone...thanks for the giggle from your last sentence!
Good on you for teaching your dogs manners. It's so rare in children and dogs today. <3
ReplyDeleteNow if we could just contain the early morning "let's jump on mommy, she's up" enthusiasm. LOL!
DeleteI like that slow feeder bowl, I'll have to try that with our dog. It amazes me how quickly he can scarf something down.
ReplyDelete-Dorky Mom Doodles
I was really amazed at how much it slowed him down!
DeleteReally cool feeder bowl! I think our pup (11 years is still a pup, right?) might benefit from such a bowl.
ReplyDeleteYup, still a pup (just like we never age in our heads). LOL! It really does help a lot! My daughter got one for her older Jack Russell and loves the result.
DeleteMealtime is such a BIG part of their day!!! It is amazing how well they can tell time. I am amazed at how fast my two eat. Turn your back and they are done.
ReplyDeleteTell me! LOL!
DeleteI see those slow-feeder bowls being used a lot! I don't think our two Doodles eat too fast, which almost bums me out because those spirals are pretty interesting. I may get some for the summer to use as an enrichment activity. I'm thankful that Bernie and Lizzie aren't resource guarders either. Bernie started to resource guard bully sticks, but we managed that situation with some great advice from our trainer. Phew!
ReplyDeleteWhen they were younger (and smaller), Cooper would try to bully Murphy by standing over him so he'd give up his treat (Cooper having already finished his). As they outgrew that - Murphy standing his ground - then the swap game began. Whoever moved away from the treat first, the other went to grab it. Of course, that meant their treat was also open to grab. Funny to watch them swap off that way.
DeleteWhat a cool slow feeder bowl! It is nice that they are both now on a regular bowl. The slow feeder did it's job :)
ReplyDeleteEmily In Ecuador
It did an amazing job of slowing him down. I'd never heard of such a thing, but it worked.
DeleteI think our lab would want to carry that bowl around! Looks like it would make a good frisbee when she is finished eating. She's a fast eater, and we've thought of trying to slow her down, but she seems fine eating fast, so we haven't tried anything yet.
ReplyDeleteLOL! We didn't leave it down after he was finished eating. They did eat the plastic outdoor water bowl over the winter. We replaced it with a heavy ceramic one.
DeleteWe can't leave her metal bowl down after she's finished either. She'll carry it and drop it to get our attention...makes a fine percussion instrument!
DeleteLOL! They are a hoot at time, aren't they!
Delete