Loss of appetite

[andrea.jp]

my 7 month old labrador has stopped eating his meals he will pick but not finish a meal or even start it sometimes he seems well enough I have tried all varieties of food but he doesn't seem bothered about any of it.
Thanks

[lankeela]

Don't keep trying different varieties. Stick to one, leave it down for 15 minutes, then take it up.

This is provided he has been checked by your vet to ensure there is no medical reason.

Choose one food and stick to it, either a complete dry food or meat and biscuits. At seven months he should still be on two meals a day. Try something smelly and filling like tripe or a good quality complete food.

[winny]

if it is dry food try mixing a bit of gravy in it. Dont leave it down like lankeeler says take it up if he isnt eating it.
if the vet says he ok perhaps he is just having a phase or he is just not hungry.

[pmjblue]

I am also assuming he has been checked by a vet, and agree you should stick to a food, and take it up if he doesnt eat it (I fell victim to a fussy dog, who started at around the same age, he was the same all his life, and an absolute nightmare to feed) - however, he always loved doggy stew - i feed complete food with a few spoonfuls on top, I buy off cuts of beef from the butchers, and boil it up with veg, pasta, and sometimes an oxo cube.

[northernsole]

We had this problem with our female lab when she was still a puppy (around 3 months). We tried wet food, dry food with gravy, tuna, sardines all varities and she just wasn't interested. I can happily say that it lasted about 2 months and then she stopped and now has a healthy appetite so it's probably just a phase. I would ask your vet if your concerned tho. Also just an idea but my neighbours leave they're dogs food (dry) down throughout the day and they just pick at it when they want to.

[leelapops]

When we first got my Collie I was concerned as he wouldn't eat in front of us (stage fright?!)

He is a "grazer"-I leave his breakfast down all morning, and his tea down all night. He has free access to his tea and water through the night. Some people say this isn't healthy, but I'd rather my dog ate! He is very healthy and happy, so it isn't problematic.

He is gluten intolerant, so we feed a complete gluten-free dry food and the odd bowl of mince as a nice treat.

lankeela is right (need I say ;) )-if you give him a choice he will expect you to pander to all his whims. Being firm with his meal times, and consistent, is the best way to do it. Hopefully, like northernsole says, it'll just be a phase.

Good luck :) Lisa x

[XX=ZOE=XX]

he mite b teething