Lab just doesnt want to eat???

[MNpurple]

I have a 7 month old female lab that is absolutely the pickiest eating dog I have ever seen. I just cant seem to find a food she likes. I have tried Nutrisource, Iams, Nutro, Diamond, even kibbles and bits. I've tried each of these foods for a few weeks at a time. Its the same thing, she eats it ok for a week or so and then loses interest in it and only picks at it if she is really hungry. I started mixing in moist pedigree food and that actually made her excited to eat for a couple weeks but now it doesnt turn her on anymore. She has a beautiful sleek, shiny coat, lots of energy but almost appears to be getting skinnier. She loves treats when she gets them, but regular dogfood is a drag to her. I'm starting to get concerned because this 7 month old isnt eating like she should. I dont feed her any table scraps so i know she isnt waiting for that. The only food that I really see her eat is what my girlfriend feeds her dog, Beneful, which is dump and not what a seven month old lab needs. What do I do???

Oh yeah, I can get her to eat most of her food if I feed her by hand, one handful at a time, but this seems odd to have to do this, though I will if it gets her gaining weight again.

[Ufatz]

A suggestion and a couple things to ponder. How about taking her to a vet for a good, thorough physical, just in case.

Perhaps she is finicky because she has been able to get away with it. She won't eat-you find something new. Or you hand feed her. Dogs LOVE that! Ha! I would suggest you try a feeding schedule of once a day, early evening, with a good solid and reputable food. Maybe a few vegetable scraps. If she eats it fine and if she DOESN'T, just keep putting a bowl of the same thing down every evening about the same time. Obviously at some point she is going to become hungry enough to eat it. Bingo, ya got her! YOU are now in control again. Once she discovers that YOU are going to determine what she eats things will change. Then you can change to twice a day or whatever schedule you prefer.

Thats what I would try.

[gonefishin11]

I have a female lab who doesn't eat alot also but I think its great. She only eats when she is hungry. I can leave food out all day and she will go nibble around 6 am, 4 pm, and 9 pm.

Another thing to consider... When I switched from puppy food to adult food I switched gradually and she would pick out the adult food like they were treats and leave the puppy food until she was really hungry. Maybe try some adult food?? Good Luck!

[Surface Tension]

Stick with one brand food. Feed at the same time, once a day, in her bowl, and remove any uneaten food after 5 minutes(unless shes eating). Zero table scraps and absolutely no treats.

[delmuts]

i agree with surface !when the dog gets hungry enough it will eat. trust me when i say it won't starve it self!

[Swamp Scooter]

One thing you did not mention is how much you are offering her and also how much exercise/work she gets. I have a dog that does not like a lot of food unless the exercise is hard enough to want to eat. 7 months can also mean coming into heat, if not already spayed. That can affect the way they eat and act.

Cut back on the food treats and time the feeding(s) out daily. If she is only eating 1.5 cups of food a day then do not offer her 3. Only offer her what you expect her to finish and then keep the exercise up. In a few days she will be expecting the food and also that she can finish it. You then have the control back and can vary the amounts to suit your needs at home and in the field.

Good luck.

[WaveWacker]

The only to worry about if she is not eating is that being 7 months old and probably still thinking that chewing on things is great is that there is a possibility that she may have a blockage of some sort. Now if the eating problem has been going on for awhile this probably is the case. However if you recognize a sudden lack of interest in eating, there could be some concern of blockage. Immediate Vet. attention should be taken.

Sounds like this is an ongoing thing however.

[metrojoe]

I've got a finicky English Setter, who by the way, wouldn't eat this morning. I try to coax her to eat a couple times by telling her to go eat her food, but if she refuses to eat I pick up her food and she will get it tonight for dinner.

I personally feed twice a day at 6am and 6pm. I cut a plastic cup to a pre-measured amount of food, which I believe is about a cup and a quarter(1-1/4). She has refused to eat up to 3 meals in a row, which does worry me, but she eventually eats that second day.

Like posted above, pick a food and stick with it. It can be tough on the dogs system to keep changing foods and this could just be adding to her eating problems. Also, Have a good routine. Be consistent on feeding times and amounts. If she doesn't eat on her own after 5 or 10 minutes, pick the food up and don't set it down again until the next scheduled feeding.

I would say if the pup won't eat for 3 or 4 days in a row I would definitely be on the phone with the vet. It could be something as simple as gas.