Help??????

Question

Okay, let me start by saying I have been to the vet and he is healthy. I have a 13 week old Shepherd pup. The first week I had him home he was throwing up his breakfast. It stopped. Yesterday and today he threw up his breakfast.....it is never his dinner or Lunch. Yesterday he threw up mid-afternoon, today was right after he ate. Could it be that he ate something that made him throw up...kinda like when dogs eat grass. He also eats like a slob, never chews.....I soak his food to help prevent bloat as were the breeders recomendations. He also gulps water fast. Could it be he is drinking to fast?.....not sure and he goes for his shots in 2 weeks, and if he goes to the vet for a check up.....60 dollars later. When I first brought him there, all the vet did was look at him and check his ears.......http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q90/rubytuesday_16_2006/?action=view¤t=imworking.jpg

Or what could I do to slow his eating down?...or the puking all together

Answer 1

Normally, dogs throw up after eating because they are eating too quickly and swallowing large amounts of air. I would recommend a couple things: First - make sure you are feeding a high quality kibble such as Canidae or Innova. Second - feed your dog in elevated bowls (about elbow heigth). Third - put something in the dog's bowl to slow him down, i.e. a couple of tennis balls or large rocks (too large to fit in his mouth). This requires him to move things around to get to his food. You could also spread his food around on the ground outside or on a large cookie sheet inside. This requires him to move around to either find the food in the grass or move to a new section of the tray to eat - either one will slow him down.

The only thing to stop him from gulping water would be to not fill the bowl completely full. Only keep about 1-1 1/2 inches of water in the bowl. Sure, you'll have to fill it up more often, but it will help stop him from gulping it down.

My shepherd gulped her food regularly, but has started to slow down as her weight and growing have started to taper off (she's about 11 months old). They are fast growing dogs that require proper nutrition to grow properly and to not grow too fast. Make sure you are feeding your puppy 3 or 4 times a day at this stage, this will make the amounts per feeding less as well.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Try evaporated milk and a little water and baby food powdered oat meal. Make it into the consistency of apple sauce (or more soupy) and put it something like a pie pan.
Put the pup's mouth to the mix, and it should probably eat that; for starts.

After you see the dog can hold that down, maybe the next day try some cooked beef liver cut into tiny cubes. That is a good size to keep it from scoffing it down too fast which will cause the vomiting. Then try a good quality dog food like Caesars and mash it somewhat with a fork. Good luck!

I also leave Beneful (dry dog food) and filtered water around so they can nibble. An empty stomach can make them spit up a little.

Answer 3

Try to give him smaller meals a little more often. He may be over excited abot the food he's going to be eating and just takes it in too fast. As far as the water try luke warm water instead of cold water. This should help to reduce his vomitting. If you have changed the food from what the breeder was feeding this could also be a reason, but unlikely. Sounds like he is just a hungry pup.

Answer 4

Well it could be that your dog is just an absolute lover of food! In all my years with dogs, I've seen many cases like this. One dog named Elvis, he loves to just eat and drink. In fact, he will do it until he throws up. Your best bet would be too give him his food in a short spurt and then take it up. Then water in a short sput and take it back up. This way, you limit his intake and he will be able to digest more efficientally.

Oh and by the way, when dogs eat grass, it's because they are trying to settle their stomachs. This is totally normal. Go ahead and let them eat it. It is in fact, good for them. Just make sure their is no fertilizer on the grass!

hope this helps!

Answer 5

if he is throwing up right away and not digesting the food ...two things to try...put a tennis ball in the food dish....he will have to slow down to eat around the tennis ball rather than shoveling the food in and swallowing it whole. Or try putting the food up on a small stool or something similar so that to eat he has to stretch out with his front feet on the small platform...it cannot be big enough for him to jump on or it will defeat the purpose. good luck.

Answer 6

Thanks for posting pics - your pup is very cute.
The easiest way to slow down the eating is to not use a bowl to feed him. Try a heavy cookie sheet (so he doesn't make a huge mess!) and put his food on that. Since the food is spread around, he will take longer to eat it.
I love using interactive tous that the dog needs to figure out. There are so many - here are a few that are easy to find:
busy buddy
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441809963&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026210&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1170000666708&itemNo=0&Ntt=busy+buddy&In=All&previousText=busy+buddy&N=2
This company also makes a UFO-shaped one that I use all the time for my guys. Harder than a Kong, and easier to wash out for humans!
the amaze-a-ball:
http://www.dogtoys.com/amazeaballtoy.html
and
http://cleanrun.com/category.cfm?Category=264

Hope this gives you some ideas. I think the tray solution might be easiest to start, but I think every dog enjoys a challenge with those interactive toys!

Answer 7

If he's gulping his food rapidly place his food, in small portions, in a large plate. This will cause him to search and pick up each piece of food. Just take the normal "breakfast" ration (for example) and spread it on a large plate. When he's finished that, give another portion and so on until he's finished.

Answer 8

if you need to slow down his eating, give him the food slowly, whether you have to give him a pebble or tow of food at a time. my dog did that when he was a puppy, he would eat his food then want to play right after and he would throw up what he ate

Answer 9

raise up his bowl on top of a book or box or something,,, then place a couple of tennis balls on top of his kibble,,, this will force him to eat more slowly and avoid gulping... try changing his dog food to a more digestible quality food,,, TIMBERWOLF, CANIDAE are some very good ones.. call the breeder,, if they are reputable they will know more than the vet

Answer 10

Could he be allergic to something in the food? That will cause vomiting. Try switching up foods to something without wheat or without corn (common allergies for dogs).