Dog Community

wow he's HUNGRY again

Posted : 8/23/2006 8:04:28 AM

Bugsy has always been a ravenous eater and then in July he didn't eat for about 36 hrs and then ate about a quarter of his norm for a few days and then didn't really get back into his normal ravenous self (we took him to hte vet and he slightly elevated white count nothing else) until yesterday. Previously we had to put things in his bowl to keep him from inhaling his food and then we had to encourage him to eat. No more.
He's back - ravenous, constantly looking to eat, his energy levels have gone through the roof again (to nuisance level) - its like he's 6 mos old again

Remind me if its a high protein diet that increases or decreases energy
Should I increase his food?
Could he be having another growth spurt

for the record he's @12.5 months old, lab/great dane mix, @95lbs with ribs visible but I'd say he's ideal weight (so does the vet on last visit), all muscle (you see the striations and his veins are visible in his legs, ears, arms)

Please help before he eats the house!

Terri

Posted : 8/23/2006 11:01:20 AM

I know both of my boys go through stages where they eat everything in sight and then don't want to eat for a while. I think it's just part of the growth process. And if I'm remembering correctly, great danes continue growing/filling out for the first couple of years.

If he's at an ideal weight, I don't think you should increase the food---at least not by much. And I'm definitely not an expert, but I think that high protein diets increase energy levels.

To me, it sounds like he's just having an adolescent growth spurt and there's nothing to worry about. But maybe someone else will notice this thread and weigh in with their opinion.

kpwlee

Posted : 8/23/2006 12:06:53 PM

thanks for the input and we'll see what others say

ladiebug

Posted : 8/23/2006 10:17:20 PM

kp, my dane used to go through this to age 3 when he reached 150lbs. At about age 2, not his eating but his behavior caused me concern, my vet suggested a thyroid test just in case, turned out normal. You may want to look into that.
As for the food, ?????, I fed Iams kibble mixed with home cooked, that's all I knew at the time.
Currently, my 2 go through periods where they seem to eat minimally, then some days they want ot eat all day - about a week later I notice a growth spurt occurred.
Keep me posted.