Puppy not finishing her food?

Question

My puppy does not eat all of her food in her bowl sometimes. At times I let the food sit there until she finishes it (which may be a couple of hours after her last feeding).
Should I let the food sit there until she finishes all of it or should I give her a couple of minutes/hours to finish it? And should I take the food away if it is not touched/finished within that time?

Answer 1

She may be teething, if she is near 4 months old, and would need moistened food. I would put it down for her, and leave it for an hour. She will act hungry when she needs it.
I hope you are feeding a premium kibble, as she needs all of the building blocks of nutrition that she can get as a puppy.
I would recommend Canidae, Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Wysong, or Karma.. she is likely to prefer the taste of a high quality food, too.

Answer 2

Some take the food away in an effort to house break the animal. Others have issues, perhaps control issues with the animal having access to food any time they want. I understand keeping the supply limited though. Puppies will sometimes wolf their food down and other times nibble here and there. Its normal. I have a set amount I feed my dog twice a day. If he eats it, great, if not I leave it there and he can finish it at his leisure. I always keep a fresh bowl of water out.

Answer 3

Be thankful! Every dog I have lived with will eat until they explode--literally. Perhaps they might walk away from dry kibble, but that's it (and not always!)

Let your dog be its own guide. As long as her weight is normal, relax and let her decide when she's had enough. If she's an adult, you can feed her once or twice a day, but the portions should be the same, just divided for two smaller feedings, which it sounds like your girl would prefer.

Answer 4

There are two methods of feeding that is common.
+ One is to feed a high energy dog usually twice to three times daily.
My sister used this method with the darg dog that can't sit she is wound so tight.

+The method that I have used is self feeding. I keep the dish filled with food unless the pet doesn't need the excess weight. Which is unlikely unless your dog is seriously chowing down.
-Like us, we get to graze the kitchen whenever we think we may be hungry.. hmm.. but for some reason many of us Americans are fat..

Answer 5

Well if its dry dog food you can leave it out for a long time. You shouldn't make your dog eat everything if it doesn't want too. Also if your dog weighs less then 5lbs watch out for low-blood sugar and that can be really serious. By doing so you feed her 3x aday and since she isn't eatting that much i am sure its fine but their is a supplement called nutri-cal for that reasons.

Answer 6

try a little less food in the bowl, 2nd empty leftover, 5- 10 min after feeding. etc, etc. thats the proper way, never leave ANY food for too long, they will get affected what insects leave behind

Answer 7

Is it dry food, or moist food? If moist, pull it up within an hour of her eating-so it doesn't get yucky. Dry food-I would suggest leaving it down for her all the time-she knows when she is hungry-and how much she needs to eat. Take care.

Answer 8

feed her breakfast,,, when she walks away from the bowl,,, pick it up and do not offer it again until next feeding time,,, do this for all meals,, it should only take a day or two at the most,, then she will eat when it is time ..

Answer 9

i suggest you give your dog about 20 minutes to finish her food and if its not done than just take it from her. that way you can get her accustomed to eating all her food all at once.

Answer 10

if your dog seems like she will eat what ever is infront of her give it to her let her eat what she dose then take it away it will train her to eat when its given to her

if shes not an agressive eater leave it out i mean when your hungry you eat so why shouldnt she my dog is not an agressive eayer at all so we always leave food in her bowl