How do I feed two dogs and make sure they both get enough to eat?

Question

I have a chihuahua 9yrs old, 7lbs and a mutt 2yrs old, 16lbs. My older dog wont let the younger dog eat. They have both been with me and together for over a year, but this has only started within the last few weeks. The mutt will just back down and not eat at all when the older dog starts to claim both food bowls. So my younger dog is losing weight and fur. The older dog is gaining weight and getting constipated from eating so much. I need to suggestions on how to get them both to eat without all the problems.

Answer 1

If you can't control these 2 small dogs, feed them in crates. Problem solved.

Answer 2

Don't LET the older dog do this.

Feed the dogs in crates. Or feed in separate rooms. Or stay there and don't let her go near the other ones food. Back her up, poke her with your hand if needed. Get between her and the other dog's food. Tell her LEAVE IT.

If you are too wimpy to do this, you can always put the old dog on a leash and not let her go near the younger dog's food. I prefer to back the dog up rather than tugging it away.

You are supposed to be in charge not the dogs. I can't believe you would see this and not stop it.

I feed my dogs twice a day. The food is down for about 10-20 minutes. I pick up the bowls. No one is allowed to steal from another. I make the rules.

I also measure the food my dogs get and my older dogs were on strict diets....fat dogs are not healthy.

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also I would take the younger dog in for a check up....there may be something wrong with the dog besides lack of food.

Answer 3

You don't feed them out of the same dish do you? Feed the mutt first, but only when he sits, so that puts you in control right off the bat. Then, when the mutt is eating, put the chihuahua's food down, but don't put the bowls near each other (they can still probably eat in the same room though). When it comes to the amount you feed them, you could always consult them. You don't necessarily need to have an appointment though, you can just call them up. They might need to know the breed of the mutt, but telling them his weight should be fine. Good luck :)

Answer 4

Unfortunately, it sounds like it's time for separate feeding times, or feeing them in separate rooms.

You can either:

1. Lock one dog in the bedroom/bathroom, or other room of choice while one eats his/her designated amount of food and is done,

or

2. You can feed both dogs at the same time and separate them by placing on in a different room and closing the door until they are both done.

Or if you have kennels, try feeding them in their kennels, with the doors latched.
Also, I don't think this is a lack of control thing, it's a dog thing, some dogs are more "leader" types than others. Happens to the best of all dogs and people a like. My dogs ALSO have a pecking order of eating, but when one is done, he doesn't continue to eat, she steps back, and I refill the bowls if necessary and the other two step in to eat.

Answer 5

Let the mutt eat first... or when the chihuahua isnt there, hold the chihuahua when the mutts eating so he sees what is happening.. Put the bowls seperate from eachother. Its a pack leader thing.
The pack leader always eats first and thats whats going on. I dont understand why doesnt he eat when the chihuahua isnt

Answer 6

Put both dogs on a schedule. Try three meals a day. Separate the dogs at meal times. Mook-e will soon get hungry enough to eat when the food is available. Molly's food can be carefully measured. Problem solved.

Answer 7

fill 1 bowl and let the mutt eat and put the chinchila on a leash and hold the leash then do the same wen the chinchila is eating and mabe take the dog thats not eating to the vet if its losing hair and getting skinnier. if u dont u might lose 1 of your dogs.

Answer 8

put them in seperate rooms or feed one at a time. You should just put a baby gate up and have one dog in the kitchen and one dog eat outside of the gate that way the both have a chance to eat. Then when their done let them play togethor so yea hope it helps

Answer 9

Only two? I have four to feed. One being a Beagle that would eat the other dogs food before they knew it was time to eat, a real chow hound.
On top of that they get different food. One has an allergy to meat products so gets special food. One is a puppy on puppy food.
I feed them all at the same time, one in the bathroom, one in my bedroom, one in the spare bedroom and one in the kitchen.
It eliminates fighting over who is going to eat what.
The things we do for our pups.

Answer 10

I have the same sort of problem with my dogs, where one scarfs her food in one Scooby-style lick around the bowl and then tries to eat my other dog's food when he stops to chew. I stay with them while they eat (same room, separate bowls) and shoo the "hungrier" dog out of the room when she finishes her portion. You need to watch your more aggressive dog afterward to make sure it doesn't sneak back in to steal the remaining food, though.

Answer 11

Really!! You cannot supervise the feeding times enough to keep each one eating ti's own food!!!????
I agree that feeding in a crate is a good idea since you seem to lack control of the situation.