reoccuring vomiting

[hodor0305]

vet has not checked for any type of physical issue... last time i mentioned the vomiting they didnt seem concerned as they suggested it was from hunger or maybe acid
they suggested a pepcid AC before meals

[JenC]

Vomiting bile is typically from being hungry. I certainly hope you do not have the dog on the LID sweet potato & venison food still. It's only 20% protein and 10% fat. A pup (especially a lab pup) could easily be on a 30/20 food. That LID food is NOT enough to nourish a puppy. And it seems that you will change food on a dime, I would personally put the dog on Pro Plan Puppy feed 2 cups in the AM and 2 cups in the PM, and if the dog doesn't eat, remove the bowl, give him a biscuit before bed, and try again in the morning. Labs will NOT starve themselves, but they will learn to play you.

[Tanya]

curious - do you know how much he eats when he "barely eats". 4-5 cups is a lot of food, you may just have a lab that self regulates.

how big is he?

does he leave the kibble when he scrafs down the chicken? he was picky with CANNED food? Are his teeth/mouth ok (curious if it's a mouth sensitivity issue).

Regarding more meals per day: there are various ways of doign this. Reducing his current meals and giving part of the meals in kongs or toys (but this assumes he will eat). so ... not sure to what extent that woudl work with the current issue...

What food are you on right now?

ETA: I agree with canyon - i would be tempted to play hard ball. I may help a wee bit with a topper on the food and maybe find a food that he needs less of to help. Once he is eating you can feed part of the meal via kongs/toys.

[hodor0305]

at what age would you stop the puppy food?

[hodor0305]

when he barely eats i would say he eats maybe 1/4 of a cup...
he is 74lbs 13 months
he does leave the kibble when eating the chicken and the lamb
he was picky with the canned food (it was kinda funny he would spit it out until i really mushed it all around)

right now he is on kirkland organic chicken and pea formula
ingredients INGREDIENTS
Organic chicken, organic peas, organic lentils, organic garbanzo beans, organic sweet potatoes, organic potatoes, organic canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), organic sunflower meal, organic canola meal, organic flaxseed, natural flavor, organic pea protein, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, taurine, organic kelp, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A
supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

[Tanya]

when you played hardball - how strict were you? how long did you do it?
ex: put food down, if he did not eat, remove food til next meal time and put it back. for X days.

[hodor0305]

i did it for about 2 days because he would then begin to eat it consistently until he would stop again, maybe a week after

[Labradorks]

I would do what Canyon says for a month. ProPlan Sport 30/20 is a good food and they don't need much of it to get what they need. Most dogs love it. It is pretty stinky.

Also, when you put the food down, try not to baby him or beg him to eat or feel bad for him and pet him when he doesn't eat. Similarly, when he vomits, do not make a big deal of it. Be matter of fact, don't say a word, just put the food down, give him time, pick it up, rinse and repeat. When he vomits just clean it up and go about your life. Your anxiety around this issue could actually be worsening the situation.

[Tanya]

ditto the above (canyon and labradorks)

how is his weight? has he lost weight or does he seem ok? what did the vet say about his weight?

[hodor0305]

this one?