Dog's Eating Habits

[roadrunner]

Does anyone know if dogs eat less when the weather is hot? Our dog has barely eaten anything other than the occasional treat for a couple of weeks now. I haven't filled her food bowl in nearly 4 days, and it's still over half full. :confused:

It's been quite warm for the past couple of weeks, so I'm wondering if this is why. She does not seem sick in any way, and is still her usual self. We've been keeping her water very fresh for her to encourage her to drink more, but she barely even touched that either! Like I said, she certainly isn't acting sick.

Weird how I can't remember from previous summers if this happened before.

[ejs]

That would really concern me. I would definitely take my dogs to the vet if they weren't really eating or drinking for a couple of weeks.

[kk junebug]

I also agree.
Our dog will occasionally not eat breakfast...at first. but then he'll inhale the food at the next go-around.
is there a chance she doesnt like her food? but 4 days is a long time! i'd consider a trip to the vet...

[May27JnJ]

My boxer doesn't eat much in the summer, but she still eats. I would take her to the vet just to be sure. Better safe than sorry.

[roadrunner]

Sorry. I should have mentioned that she barely eats anyway. Never has, even as a puppy (got her from a shelter when she was around 4 months). She will normally eat anywhere from a 1/2 to a cup of food each day. She has certainly had many days where she has not eaten at all.

I know that she always eats more in the winter months, but can't quite remember her eating this little in the summers before.

Unless I think there is really something wrong, I won't likely be able to go to the vet. The nearest vet is a three hour drive, and I normally have to call well over a month ahead to get an appointment. They only take emergency calls if it is literally life or death. Sucks to live in the middle of nowhere sometimes.

I've been trying to search online to see about eating habits and weather. I'll keep looking I guess.

[May27JnJ]

Well like I said, my boxer doesn't eat as much during the summer as she normally does. I'm guessing she's an outside dog?

My vet always says that she likes to see dogs eat a cup a day for every 40 lbs it weighs.

[roadrunner]

May27JnJ No, she's mainly inside. She goes outside if we are out with the kids, for walks, swims, play, and to do her business. She would need therapy if we left her outside too long without us :p.

She is about 30 lbs, and is not underweight at all. Actually, on her last vet visit, the vet said she could stand to lose about 5 lbs.

I did just read on various sites that many dogs lose their appetites during the warmer months.

I may switch to a more 'yummy' food (wet) to supplement her diet and get her to eat for the next while. She normally only gets dry food, so this would be a big treat for her.

[May27JnJ]

You may want to put her dry food in with wet.

[roadrunner]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well. If she eats anything out of the ordinary, she tends to get 'digestive issues'. Fun.

The guideline that your vet gave is good to know. I always thought that 1 cup per day was way less than a normal dog should eat, but I guess she's not that abnormal at all.

Thanks!!

[May27JnJ]

You could also try putting her dry food in sodium free chicken broth.

[bjean]

My Greater Swiss Mountain Dog definitely eats less in the summer months. I wonder since the food has been sitting out for so many days if you dump it and fill it with some fresh stuff. That seems like a really long time to leave it out. You can also try bribing her - I sometimes sprinkle parmesan cheese on the top of Rosco's food to get him interested in eating it.

[Oakley]

I agree with adding in some tastier food. Maybe you could also walk her extra to encourage an appetite? I know I'm hungrier when I workout. :)

[fuzzy]

Yup, my dog doesn't eat much when it gets warm. She's not a big eater to begin with, but it really drops off in the summers. I do two things: 1) sprinkle parm cheese on top of her food; and 2) occasionally I pour some bacon grease on her food. If she doesn't eat that food, then I'd get worried.

[roadrunner]

Made roast beef for dinner tonight, and poured some of the drippings on her food. There was no issue with cleaning out the entire bowl of food tonight ;)

I'll just have to spoil her for the next while I guess.

[skyblu]

My dog, too, has been eating less in the warmer weather. But he's eating about 1 - 1.5 meals a day instead of his usual 2. I'd be concerned if he didn't eat for 4 days! Is your dog drinking water and peeing okay?

I'd add a bit of roast beef or something to his regular dry food, but wouldn't completely substitute it, unless you want the dog to get used to only eating roast beef or going on a hunger strike! :p

[rileyandfredsmom]

we have to change our dogs' food every 6 months or so because the little one loses interest in it and won't eat it for days and then we get new food and he devours it!