YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Lola is driving me nuts, very picky eatter

yipyap · 12-10-2013, 09:13 AM

Hi, I forgot to ask, but at just 9 months old I'm sure Lola is getting plenty of exercise, which helps build up an appetite. (We have had sleet and snow here for the last two days, so Taffy's bringing me his 'fetching toys' to throw--over & over. By around throw #12, he's finally curled back up on his fleece blanket at end of sofa while I'm typing to you on Yorkie Talk. The bad weather really makes him want to 'snooze' more, rather than eat. I've already had him sit and sniff his 'warmed dog food' -only about 9 seconds in microwave in the winter-so he knows his food is in kitchen. Looks like today will be one of his eating @ 2-3 p.m. days.
How big is Lola? Taff ranges between 5 to 5 1/2 pounds. I looked up the directions on the Bottom of the Wellness Kibble bag, which says that (of course) all dogs are different in food needs due to breed, size, age, etc. They gave the following as recommendations for just feeding 'dry kibble': a 2-4 lb. small dog would get 1/4 - 1/2 cup per day; a 5-8 lb. sm. dog gets 1/2 - 3/4 cup per day; a 9-12 lb sm. dog gets 3/4 - 1 cup. (It goes on up to a 25 lb. sm. dog.)
Now, if you are mixing in some "wet" (canned) food with their dry kibble, they add this: If feeding with wet food, then reduce the dry kibble amount by 1/8 cup for every 2 Tablespoons of wet food put in the dish. The total recommended amount per day should be divided in half if you are giving two feedings, in a.m. and afternoon. Then, of course plenty of water hould always be available, especially if only feeding dry kibble! (The company adds the note that they believe a combination of wet & dry food is best feeding method to increase the amount of water in your dog's digestive tract. (Otherwise, dog's stools could be to hard and cause constipation.) *I saw their note that says it's important to "slowly transition" your dog from one diet to a new one since the dog's body has to adapt to a newer nutrition level. The new food should be mixed in over 5-7 days.
Of course, Taff loves his l", flat meat jerky treat for going potty, so that's an extra tidbit 4-5 times a day, too. I would say he eats a total of 3/4 cup of his regular mixed dog food a day. If he lets it "sit", and it looks drier on top, I can stir in a little trickle of warm water...or he may eat it as is.

12-10-2013, 09:13 AM	#10
yipyap Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA., USA Posts: 173	Hi, I forgot to ask, but at just 9 months old I'm sure Lola is getting plenty of exercise, which helps build up an appetite. (We have had sleet and snow here for the last two days, so Taffy's bringing me his 'fetching toys' to throw--over & over. By around throw #12, he's finally curled back up on his fleece blanket at end of sofa while I'm typing to you on Yorkie Talk. The bad weather really makes him want to 'snooze' more, rather than eat. I've already had him sit and sniff his 'warmed dog food' -only about 9 seconds in microwave in the winter-so he knows his food is in kitchen. Looks like today will be one of his eating @ 2-3 p.m. days. How big is Lola? Taff ranges between 5 to 5 1/2 pounds. I looked up the directions on the Bottom of the Wellness Kibble bag, which says that (of course) all dogs are different in food needs due to breed, size, age, etc. They gave the following as recommendations for just feeding 'dry kibble': a 2-4 lb. small dog would get 1/4 - 1/2 cup per day; a 5-8 lb. sm. dog gets 1/2 - 3/4 cup per day; a 9-12 lb sm. dog gets 3/4 - 1 cup. (It goes on up to a 25 lb. sm. dog.) Now, if you are mixing in some "wet" (canned) food with their dry kibble, they add this: If feeding with wet food, then reduce the dry kibble amount by 1/8 cup for every 2 Tablespoons of wet food put in the dish. The total recommended amount per day should be divided in half if you are giving two feedings, in a.m. and afternoon. Then, of course plenty of water hould always be available, especially if only feeding dry kibble! (The company adds the note that they believe a combination of wet & dry food is best feeding method to increase the amount of water in your dog's digestive tract. (Otherwise, dog's stools could be to hard and cause constipation.) *I saw their note that says it's important to "slowly transition" your dog from one diet to a new one since the dog's body has to adapt to a newer nutrition level. The new food should be mixed in over 5-7 days. Of course, Taff loves his l", flat meat jerky treat for going potty, so that's an extra tidbit 4-5 times a day, too. I would say he eats a total of 3/4 cup of his regular mixed dog food a day. If he lets it "sit", and it looks drier on top, I can stir in a little trickle of warm water...or he may eat it as is.