quirky eating habit

[Freedom]

Well I just thought of one other possibility. Maybe she needs a dental cleaning? Are you only feeding dry kibble? That will cake up on the teeth. Think what happens when you eat graham crackers. And dry kibble turns to carbohydrates - sugars, which break down the teeth. I don't know about the Maltese but bichons are known for having poor teeth to start with, so if you aren't feeding properly and brushing her teeth, this 'may' be the issue. Check her mouth and see if she has lots of tartar build up on her teeth, especially the back molars.

But I'm still thinking she is a 2 meal a day doggie!

[carrie]

Well I just thought of one other possibility. Maybe she needs a dental cleaning? Are you only feeding dry kibble? That will cake up on the teeth. Think what happens when you eat graham crackers. And dry kibble turns to carbohydrates - sugars, which break down the teeth. I don't know about the Maltese but bichons are known for having poor teeth to start with, so if you aren't feeding properly and brushing her teeth, this 'may' be the issue. Check her mouth and see if she has lots of tartar build up on her teeth, especially the back molars.

But I'm still thinking she is a 2 meal a day doggie!

My bitch simply cannot hold enough dry food in her stomach for one or even two meals a day. I feed both dogs a small dry feed in the morning, a small dry feed at lunchtime and a soaked larger meal at night. I just worked out how much food a day each dog needed and split it into manageable portions, not ideal, but it works. You should also not allow one dog to eat the others food. I feed my dogs about 6 feet apart, make them wait as the food goes down, then whistle to signal they can eat (two short blows). If one leaves or starts placing food outside of the bowl then pick the bowl up and sit the dog - feeding time is over. Allow the other dog to eat the food meant for it but nothing else. Your dog is telling you that you are feeding too much in one meal and the behaviour of removing food is the start of burying behaviour or the dog simply does not feel safe enough - not having set feeding times can make a dog worry that the food supply is not consistent and it needs to save some.