[Duke]

I have a golden retriever which is 8 months old and he had an healthy appetite. He is barely eating from a week. His food intake has fallen down from quarter of what he used to eat. Right from when he was 2 months old I used to give him dry food mixed with little wet food because he is used to be very picky about food.. still is :) . But yeah his food intake has dropped real bad. He is otherwise playful. I am just wondering if it's the weather..

[labman]

What sort of weather? In another thread we have a light eating Dachshund in Chile. If this is a fairly abrupt thing, I would take him to the vet. Could be sick, or an intestinal blockage from something he chewed up. Is he a severe chewer? Too often they gulp down something they can't pass.

Some dog's appetite drops at about this age, especially if you kept him on puppy chow and he grew faster. When things settle down, may as well switch to adult chow. One meal a day will be OK now too. For now, put out his regular chow. Take up any uneaten food after 15 minutes, and do not offer anything until the next scheduled meal. Also go to http://www.purina.com/dogs/nutrition.asp?article=292 to learn how to determine the amount of food right for him and his life.

[Duke]

Thanks. Is this a good time to feed him home cooked veggies and rice. I don't cook meat at home as I am a vegetarian. Well he gets all the meat he wants though :)

[labman]

It is extremely difficult and time consuming to formulate a good diet for your dog. Most dogs will thrive on most commercial chows, although there isn't any one chow that is right for all dogs. If you are concerned about byproducts and additives, you can find dog chows without them. Such a diet would be much better for your dog, than what you might prepare yourself.

Look for Nutro, Bennifel, Flint River, etc.

I see it as cruel and irrational to fail to provide your dog with a known complete and balanced dog chow.