Need desperate help with unusual feeding habits - DogForum.net

jshardalow · 05-23-2014, 06:31 AM

Dusty is a 13-/12 year old Wheaten and in relatively good health with just a few non-threatening lumps 'n bumps.

She gets 2 cups of prescription dog food twice a day.

I'm not sure how it started but for at least the past 5-7 years or so, she gets her morning meal around 07:00 am and her second meal at 11:00 am. I know this is strange but it has been like this a VERY long time. Around 10:00 am she starts whining and getting anxious for that second meal. We're adamant, that despite the whining, she doesn't actually get the second meal until 11:00.

Effective with the last time change, her whining for her first meal has got earlier and earlier. She now starts the whining between 04:30-05:00 and it has been earlier at even 02:00.

Sidebar -- she has the run of the apartment during the night with access to the balcony if she needs to pee/poop during the night. She goes for walks AT LEAST three times a day... most often four. So I don't think the whining is for pee 'n poop functions!

I tried putting her in her crate a few nights and that seemed to work but she start whining and then barking at 05:00 am -- we live in an apartment!

I've tried feeding her the same amount over three periods, giving her a meal at 6:00 pm -- that didn't work.

I'm at my wits end AND short of sleep... the vet couldn't offer any suggestions last week and my sleep patterns are totally out of whack.

The whining is quite incessant... it leads to yelping... then leads to barking.

Any suggests would be most appreciated how to get this ol' dog onto a different, more reasonable feeding cycle... not involving VERY early/middle-of-the-night feeding patterns. As I opened up with... she is 13-1/2 years old.

techie · 05-23-2014, 10:29 AM

Rascal is always hungry too. We give her 1/3 cup kibble 3xs a day. I wouldn't dare free feed her!
Some dogs are just always hungry!
techie

**vagreys** · 05-23-2014, 12:42 PM

How much does she weigh? Which prescription diet, and for what is she on a prescription diet? This is germaine, and the time change is likely coincidental.

**JGLI** · 05-23-2014, 01:08 PM

If she is starting to whine way too early, try putting some food or treats in a kong for her to work at.

jshardalow · 05-23-2014, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vagreys

How much does she weigh? Which prescription diet, and for what is she on a prescription diet? This is germaine, and the time change is likely coincidental.

Dusty is 16kg/35lbs. The vet would like her at 15kg/33lbs, but she's been pretty constant at this weight. She put on 500gr/1lb over winter, but who didn't after our winter last year. She gets one measured cup, twice a day.

She's on a combo of D/D and K/D. She's been on D/D for many years to treat a skin condition. The K/D was mixed with it a couple of years ago for possible Renal complications. More of a preventive measure I believe.

jshardalow · 05-23-2014, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGLI

If she is starting to whine way too early, try putting some food or treats in a kong for her to work at.

I like this idea... she does like to do that. I actually try not to give her anything while she is actually whining but at 05:00am I actually feed her as I want to go back to bed and try to sleep again!

jshardalow · 05-23-2014, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techie

Rascal is always hungry too. We give her 1/3 cup kibble 3xs a day. I wouldn't dare free feed her!
Some dogs are just always hungry!
techie

Ohhhhh Dusty would be a balloon if I just left free food down for her!

Bigboy · 05-24-2014, 08:07 AM

It's difficult to know but the whining is probably attention seeking so the more you give in to it the worse it becomes. So try and get a routine going again. and may be slightly increase the amount you give her too as you may not be giving her enough so try 2 and half cups a day! Good luck and let us know how you get on!!!!

Kaos · 05-25-2014, 03:03 AM

You have been reinforcing the whinging by feeding her. You need to either get up at the crack of dawn and feed her BEFORE she starts whining, or wait it out, and pick a point where she ceases to whinge before feeding her. Every time you feed her when she is whinging, you heavily reinforce the whinging.

Bigboy · 05-25-2014, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaos

You have been reinforcing the whinging by feeding her. You need to either get up at the crack of dawn and feed her BEFORE she starts whining, or wait it out, and pick a point where she ceases to whinge before feeding her. Every time you feed her when she is whinging, you heavily reinforce the whinging.

So True Kaos

05-23-2014, 06:31 AM	#1
jshardalow Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 16 Rep: 10 Unique Rep: 0	Need desperate help with unusual feeding habits Dusty is a 13-/12 year old Wheaten and in relatively good health with just a few non-threatening lumps 'n bumps. She gets 2 cups of prescription dog food twice a day. I'm not sure how it started but for at least the past 5-7 years or so, she gets her morning meal around 07:00 am and her second meal at 11:00 am. I know this is strange but it has been like this a VERY long time. Around 10:00 am she starts whining and getting anxious for that second meal. We're adamant, that despite the whining, she doesn't actually get the second meal until 11:00. Effective with the last time change, her whining for her first meal has got earlier and earlier. She now starts the whining between 04:30-05:00 and it has been earlier at even 02:00. Sidebar -- she has the run of the apartment during the night with access to the balcony if she needs to pee/poop during the night. She goes for walks AT LEAST three times a day... most often four. So I don't think the whining is for pee 'n poop functions! I tried putting her in her crate a few nights and that seemed to work but she start whining and then barking at 05:00 am -- we live in an apartment! I've tried feeding her the same amount over three periods, giving her a meal at 6:00 pm -- that didn't work. I'm at my wits end AND short of sleep... the vet couldn't offer any suggestions last week and my sleep patterns are totally out of whack. The whining is quite incessant... it leads to yelping... then leads to barking. Any suggests would be most appreciated how to get this ol' dog onto a different, more reasonable feeding cycle... not involving VERY early/middle-of-the-night feeding patterns. As I opened up with... she is 13-1/2 years old.

05-23-2014, 10:29 AM	#2
techie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In mid Willamette valley in Oregon Posts: 10,621 Rep: 39 Unique Rep: 19	Rascal is always hungry too. We give her 1/3 cup kibble 3xs a day. I wouldn't dare free feed her! Some dogs are just always hungry! techie __________________ I HAVE BEEN KISSED!! by sheplovr Dogs rule! "I've got the do: you?" A dog's love is pure! Lucy 1999 - Oct.6,2012. Always in my heart. Now owned by a female beagle, Rascal

05-23-2014, 12:42 PM	#3
vagreys Adopt a Retired Racer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Chesterfield VA USA Posts: 3,524 Rep: 187 Unique Rep: 70	How much does she weigh? Which prescription diet, and for what is she on a prescription diet? This is germaine, and the time change is likely coincidental. __________________ Help us Help you! Read and understand the Terms of Service, report offensive posts and Forum Reputation. Helpful Tips - in our FAQ Section and Newbie Guide. Connect with DogForum.org members - Add yourself to the dogforum.net member map.chat with us! Things to do - Start a blog. Be sure to visit the DogForum.net photo gallery Let's see YOU! Use your computer to benefit mankind - join the DogForum.org Folding Team.

05-23-2014, 01:08 PM	#4
JGLI Forum Director Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 10,458 Rep: 96 Unique Rep: 50	If she is starting to whine way too early, try putting some food or treats in a kong for her to work at. __________________ Help us Help you! Read and understand the Terms of Service, report offensive posts and Forum Reputation. Helpful Tips - in our FAQ Section and Newbie Guide. Connect with DogForum.org members - Add yourself to the dogforum.net member map.chat with us! Things to do - Start a blog. Be sure to visit the DogForum.net photo gallery Let's see YOU! Use your computer to benefit mankind - join the DogForum.org Folding Team.

05-24-2014, 08:07 AM	#8
Bigboy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK: Stoke on trent Posts: 13,349 Rep: 73 Unique Rep: 38	It's difficult to know but the whining is probably attention seeking so the more you give in to it the worse it becomes. So try and get a routine going again. and may be slightly increase the amount you give her too as you may not be giving her enough so try 2 and half cups a day! Good luck and let us know how you get on!!!! __________________ " Iam chillin with the forum! " Thanks Monkey! I been fleeced Thanks Skunkstripe. Dave ATB!

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Need desperate help with unusual feeding habits

05-25-2014, 03:03 AM	#9
Kaos Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 4,293 Rep: 264 Unique Rep: 68	You have been reinforcing the whinging by feeding her. You need to either get up at the crack of dawn and feed her BEFORE she starts whining, or wait it out, and pick a point where she ceases to whinge before feeding her. Every time you feed her when she is whinging, you heavily reinforce the whinging.

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