What to do if yorkie wants to eat more?

[howie_wowie]

Hi. I have a 4 year old yorkie, and lately he has been wanting to eat more kibble than I've been giving him. I have been giving him the same amount each day, but sometimes when he is done (or later at night) he will scratch at his bowl and lift it with his nose so that I can hear him. I also just switched him over to Wellness this week, and that requires him to actually eat SMALLER portions. I am still in the transition mode, so I'm giving him half and half, but he still seems to want more food.

Should I be giving him more if he wants it? He usually does not over-eat, even when I've left a full bowl out. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I am curious as my 2 seem to want more as well. I am trying a raw diet where they get 1 medallion each 2x a day. I don't know if it is because they like it and want more of if they are hungry. (???)

[lil fu fu girl]

I would agree with your interpretation. I, personally, would give him more. For whatever reason, he is tryilng to tell you that he is still hungry. I would hate to think of my animal hungry, and me knowing, and not doing anything. Besides you can keep an eye on his weight, if he starts to gain a little, just start adding in extra snacks of vegee's. Which you could probably do anyway.
edited for: Animals metabolisms vary between each other, just like humans. More exercise, higher heat, cold, etc. all make demands on Kcal count. So perhaps his metabolism might just be higher.

[howie_wowie]

Thank you! I usually do give him more food, or else he will stand at his bowl and keep lifting it with his little nose so that it drops back down, and he KNOWS I can hear it. LOL. He is too cute. Last night, after I wrote this post, I did put more food in his bowl, and he ended up having only a few more bites, and the rest was still there this morning. I guess it just feels like it's more often than not that he wants more food. But yes, I agree...maybe he's burning off more and needs to take in more.

[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by howie_wowie

Thank you! I usually do give him more food, or else he will stand at his bowl and keep lifting it with his little nose so that it drops back down, and he KNOWS I can hear it. LOL. He is too cute. Last night, after I wrote this post, I did put more food in his bowl, and he ended up having only a few more bites, and the rest was still there this morning. I guess it just feels like it's more often than not that he wants more food. But yes, I agree...maybe he's burning off more and needs to take in more.

LOL, that just cracks me up....I can imagine him just thinkin' to himself...."Boy I am annoying her now....Cha-Ching! Food should be coming out any minute!"

[howie_wowie]

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

LOL, that just cracks me up....I can imagine him just thinkin' to himself...."Boy I am annoying her now....Cha-Ching! Food should be coming out any minute!"

LOL, I am sure that's EXACTLY what he is thinking!!!

[Kimberly812]

My Zoe is ALWAYS looking for food - I mean she would eat until she exploded!! The funny thing is, I remember before I got her I was SO worried being that Yorkies are notoriously picky eaters. I realized the day I got her, while waiting for our flight in the airport and she was as nervous as can be, but STILL begged for and ate little pieces of my burger, (remember, Valerie???) that eating was not going to be a problem with her. Our vet has already told me that she is a "porkchop" and I need to cut back a little on her food....

[Nancy1999]

Some dogs have the ability to self regulate and it use to be thought that if you are only providing a high quality kibble, do will only eat to satiate themselves, and never overeat. There are always exceptions, and some dogs, like humans, will eat just because it tastes so good. Being overweight can lead to many serious illness and joint problems; I think you need to be very careful if you are increasing your dog's food amount, and you vet can give you a healthy weight range for your dog. Hard Bully sticks can also help with hunger issues, stay away from the softer varieties that they can eat in a day, as that can add too many calories as well.

[howie_wowie]

Thanks, everyone. Yes, I will keep an eye on him, making sure that he's not gaining too much weight. We were at the vet recently, and he was at a good weight, and I did mention his diet, and changing him over to Wellness, and she did not seem opposed to it, nor express any concern about him being overweight.

He can be a pretty active dog too. Some nights, he will continue to want us to throw his ball so he can play fetch, running up and down the hallway, sliding all over the hardwood floors. He'll be panting like crazy, but will still want to play. I always have to have make sure he's drinking enough water, especially with the heat....

[Britster]

Yes, I think it depends on the dog, like Nancy said. Jackson, for example, has never been a big eater (when it comes to dog food, that is) so when looks at his empty bowl in search of more food, I KNOW he is truly really hungry, so I give him more. Some dogs will just eat and eat and eat even if they're not hungry. Also, when Jackson is more active, I always up his food amount!

[zekie's mom]

Maybe he just wants to know that food will be available when he wants to eat. These little guys are so funny and so smart.

[Beamers Mom]

Originally Posted by zekie's mom

Maybe he just wants to know that food will be available when he wants to eat. These little guys are so funny and so smart.

We free feed Lil Bit and Beamer, and when their food bowl is almost empty we know it! We can hear the bowl being pushed around until it is in front of the storage container where we keep the food.
Yorkies are definitely smart

[Freddy_SW]

I noticed that Freddy is eating more food lately. I free feed him and did so from day one. I know that the breeder did free feed him too. When i took him to the vet the first time ( 12 weeks old) he told me that i should feed him 3/4 cup a day and so i did...i mean i would put 3/4 cup out in his bowl and it was enough for him for the whole day and even for the next. He didn't eat much so i decided to switch his food. Going from IAMS Smart Puppy to Blue Buffalo after reading on YT. Well...i don't know if he eats more now because he likes blue buffalo or because he is hungry. I do give him more food once his bowl is empty (not much just a little) but don't want to overfeed him as well. He is 16 weeks and 6.5 lbs.

[FlDebra]

I am a firm believer in free feeding. Each dog will have a different amount of energy exerted each day, and their metabolism can vary too. So, why would they all need exactly the same amount of food? IF it becomes a problem and you see they are putting on too much weight, it is easyto switch to a "lite" food for weight control and/or control the portions. My JR runs our fenced acre like a wild stallion. She definately needs a LOT more calories a day than any chart would suggest. My Ben is much more subdued and although he chases Candy around a little, he will poop out early and probably use half the calories a day. I free feed them all and they have always been described as lean by my vet. JMO -- you might want to ask your vet to be sure there is no problem feeding more in your particular case.