My little Paxton is soooo hungry!!!!!! Help!!!

[CricketBaby]

I now have three dogs which include Cricket my 1 year old Yorkie, Bentley my 5 year old Wire Hair Fox Terrier and my newest baby Paxton. He just turned 5 months old and has a ferocious appetite. Prior to getting my new baby I was leaving Canidae All Life Stages down for my dogs all day. Cricket is very finicky and eats a couple bites a day if I am lucky. In fact she has stressed me out so much because she refuses to eat very little dog food. I have tried everything under the sun....Artemis, Merrick, Solid Gold Wee bits the list goes on and on..she will eat Canidae and Royal Canin puppy 33...my vet says it is fine to let her have it since she is so thin...no reserves whatsoever!

Sorry to ramble but I am really worried! My new baby Paxton came from Tsa La Gi and was eating Bill Jack....that came to an extreme halt when he ran over to the big bowl of Canidae chomp chomp before I could even blink and eye. I freaked out thinking Paxton would have a really upset tummy eating this new few without slowly being introduced. Wrong! He had perfect little solid poops! Bye Bye Bill Jack...don't care for that food anyway. I was actually happy that was all over! Paxton now loves Crickets Royal Canin Puppy 33..I know this is not the best food but Cricket will eat it and I cannot grill chicken everyday to keep food in her tummy. Big problem....Paxton has a FEROCIOUS appetite! He just loves the Royal Canin puppy and eats it till the bowl is empty. Ya'll he poops 3 large poopies a day!!!! He cannot stop eating...and Cricket is just the opposite she will not eat!

Finally here is the question! Do I need to leave food down ALL day or should they be on a feeding schedule? I think Paxton is going to get as large as Clifford the BIG Red Dog!!!!!

[jeanietoo]

If he is only 5 months he is growing and should be fine free feeding. If he starts to gain too much weight then put a stop to it. Is he a larger yorkie. What does he weigh now and how large were his parents?

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by jeanietoo

If he is only 5 months he is growing and should be fine free feeding. If he starts to gain too much weight then put a stop to it. Is he a larger yorkie. What does he weigh now and how large were his parents?

Thank you for responding! He was 3.lbs and 5 oz. two weeks ago when I took him to the vet. His Daddy weighed 4lbs and Mother 5lbs. Glenda Beavers the breeder I got him from said he would be 4-41/2 lbs. full grown. He just seems to be putting on major weight through the middle. I have never had to worry about Cricket overeating so I am just not used to seeing one eat so much!

[YorkieChick1]

I usually figure out how much the pup should have daily and then I split it into 3 meals. That way they won't be eating more than their normal daily amount but they will feel full through out the day. If he is that ravenous, have you considered worms? I'm sure the vet already checked that! Maybe he is just going through a growth spurt also and is hungrier than normal. What a beautiful guy!! I definately want a Tsa La Gi for my next baby! I have to wait though because I already have 5 and I am not a breeder!!

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by YorkieChick1

I usually figure out how much the pup should have daily and then I split it into 3 meals. That way they won't be eating more than their normal daily amount but they will feel full through out the day. If he is that ravenous, have you considered worms? I'm sure the vet already checked that! Maybe he is just going through a growth spurt also and is hungrier than normal. What a beautiful guy!! I definately want a Tsa La Gi for my next baby! I have to wait though because I already have 5 and I am not a breeder!!

Thanks for your advice...I was thinking about doing that..just cannot keep food from Cricket...she is difficult with her eating! If I were to sit on the floor next to her and feed her piece by piece she would be really happy! When she was 7 months old she jumped off of my bed and broke her front leg (radius and ulna) she had to have surgery by an orthopedic specialist..Dr. Bertrand her Dallas. She had to get a metal plate and five tiny screws to put her leg back together. I did not know Yorkie Talk existed and sure could have used the support back then! It was a really traumatic time for her and for me. I had to feed her grilled chicken while she was on pain meds because of stomach upset so when it was time to start back on the dog food she has protested!

Thanks goodness I have learned what I have before I got my little boy! He is just precious...I would die if I did anything to hurt him. I got little Paxton because she can longer play with Bentley my Wire Hair. He is just too big and I can't risk her hurting her leg again. Paxton is smaller than she is and is very calm and loving. Perfect match! I just love this Forum!!!! Thanks so much for the advice!

[LoveMyJake]

I have a 7-month-old male yorkie (Jackson) who loves to eat too! He is about 6 1/2 lbs. now, and he wants to eat ALL the time. I home cook for my guys, and I feed them 3 times a day, plus leave kibble out for them all the time. Jackson will eat his cooked meals and alot of the puppy food too! Not wanting to overfeed, I talked to my vet and he said the 3 cooked meals plus the amount of kibble he was eating is fine. He's still young and VERY active. My other yorkie (Jake) is only 4 1/2 lbs. full grown. He eats smaller amounts than Jackson, but I've noticed since we got Jackson that Jake's appetite seemed to increase. This might be because he wants to keep up with his brother, but I think it's because he is way more active now that he has a brother to chase after and play with. I think the amount of activity a dog has will determine how much he eats. I know that if my guys have had a particularly busy day, they tend to eat more on those days. So, I kind of adjust their portion sizes to the amount of activity they have had. Neither of them are overweight and are very healthy, happy and active.

good luck! Paxton sure is a cutie!

[Patti]

My Roxie is 6 months old and I can't free feed as I have 3 other slightly overweight dogs that would blow up if I left food down, so I feed her 3 times a day and a few training treats as well. When she gets her meals she eats it so fast I can't believe it, I thought my others were quick. She was free fed at the breeders so I think she really enjoys her meals when they come. Roxie weighs 3lbs 7 ounces.

[mojo]

You know, miss Emmy just LOVES to eat too. She demands to be the first one fed or she will just not stop screeching. I seperate her and my two others at meal time as they are eating different foods. I truly think she would eat all day if she could; but she is a skinny little girl.
I do feed my others merricks and they always have a little hamburger, chicken, rice, grated natural balance roll mixed in (as Bella got very sick and stopped eating; I am now stuck giving people food, no going back.
I don't free feed, I know a lot do, but I have mine on a schedule and that seems to be working out.
Well, maybe not for Emmy but for me.

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by mojo

You know, miss Emmy just LOVES to eat too. She demands to be the first one fed or she will just not stop screeching. I seperate her and my two others at meal time as they are eating different foods. I truly think she would eat all day if she could; but she is a skinny little girl.
I do feed my others merricks and they always have a little hamburger, chicken, rice, grated natural balance roll mixed in (as Bella got very sick and stopped eating; I am now stuck giving people food, no going back.
I don't free feed, I know a lot do, but I have mine on a schedule and that seems to be working out.
Well, maybe not for Emmy but for me.

Hey,

Oh my gosh ..Paxton is a little oinker! I am going to put my three on a schedule ...not sure how yet but I think that will be best for him and hopefully my little girl Cricket will start eating better! Look how much he has grown! He is already five months old! I love my baby! Hugs to miss Emmy from Paxton

[mojo]

That's weird, they look so similiar wet. LOL. I will try to get a pic next time I bathe her, which should be this week.

He doesn't look like an oinker He looks really good. But I know what you mean. It's like drop the food quick or lose a finger.

[SophieRose]

Welcome to YT and your pups are darling. Since you have three, it may easier to have a set feeding time. Each would need to space ie bathroom, kitchen, etc. that is their own. I had a foster Peke for two weeks, and Charlie eats in the kitchen, she would eat in the bathroom behind a gate since her diet was specialized.

Free feeding is good between meals but just a small amount. As you know, most dogs will eat until they are more than full. Warmly, Deborah

PS I hand-fed Rachael (foster) and at times when Charlie isn't feeling well, hand-feed him too although I don't want it to become a habit. My advice is to set out the food, leave it for 15-20 minutes and then pick it up. Quite soon they figure out.

[furby2000]

Welcome to YT!! You as well as your three furkids are beautiful!! My Lola also came from Glenda and is A+ for being the "best eater" on earth!! She is 9 months now and her appetite has subsided though. I free feed both my yorkies and although at the beggining (3 to 5 months) Lola would devour everything in sight in one gobble now she eats slower and there is enough for both to go around and there is even leftovers for a later snack. If you go on a feeding schedule just make sure you proportion accordingly so all your babies have happy tummies.

Looking forward to seeing lots more of Paxton soon!!