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Hello,I have a 10 month old Borzoi bitch puppy, I got her when she was almost 4 months. She was a good eater in the beginning but hasgradually become a very picky, selective eater. I have my dogs on a primarily raw diet, (Oma's, Instinct) I rarely give her treatsand have tried almost everything to get her to eat more. She just had a vet check and fecal was all negative and my vet didn't say thatshe was under weight, but I addressed the issue that she was now very picky. He just suggested things that I've been doing, i.e. grated cheese on food, etc etc. I am concerned she may not be getting enough nutrition for her growing body. Borzois mature slowly. She is active, energetic and seems very happy. Thank you.Cynthia Jabour
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Borzoi Pet's Gender: Female Pet's Age: <1 Name of Dog: Nikita Already Tried: Tried almost everything to get her to eat more. Started becoming picky when she was about 5 - 6 months old.
Hi JACustomer,
Thanks for your question about Nikita.
My name is XXXXXXX XXX I am a licensed veterinarian.
You sound worried about her.
With puppies, I worry less about the appetite, and more about how they look. If she is underweight, bony, not gaining weight every time she is weighed, or is actually losing weight, then I would be worried. If her muscling is good, she is not going down on the scale, then how much or how quickly she eats is not as important as how she looks, and how active she is.
If you are really worried about her nutrition, you could have some blood tests done, to be sure she is not anemic, or that her protein or calcium levels are abnormal.
Picky eaters tend to maintain a healthy weight all their lives, and dogs that are a healthy weight live longer.
Experience: 28 years of companion animal practice
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We were not connection in chat, so I will try this format. Please continue to ask me questions using the continue conversation button.If she is not vomiting, or losing weight, or tires easily, and your vet did not think she is underweight, she is probably fine.You could contact her breeder, and find out if she is about the same size and weight as other females in her litter. Please continue to ask questions, until you are fully satisfied with the answers. Rebecca
Dear Dr. Rebecca,Thank you for your response. I am somewhat worried about Nikita. She was about the same weight the other day ad she was a few weeks earlier but hadn't lost fortunately. I will check her weight again in a week or so and consider blood work if she hasn't gained as you suggested. She is quick muscular in my opinion and looks ok but concerned about her nutritional intake. Thanks. XXXXX
All dogs have different metabolisms, and some maintain a healthy weight on less food than others. It sure sounds like she is getting a nutritious diet, and if her diet is more calorie and nutrition dense than commercial diets, she needs less volume of food to get the nutrients and calories she needs.You have to be careful, too, to not encourage or reward her for eating more than she needs while she is growing. Not so much of a problem with Borzois, but eating habits are learned when young, so she is more likely to maintain a healthy weight idea she eats only what she needs now. Dogs that naturally or are encouraged to overeat at this age may have a weight problem as an adult. Usually not Borzois, however.Having some blood tests, and knowing her red count, her albumin, her calcium, etc are normal should help ease hour mind about her nutritional state.
Dr. Rebecca,
You are welcome. I work with a Borzoi breeder here in Santa Fe and I am surprised at the differences in sizes of pups from the same litter. Having the breeder look at your girl is a great idea.Please let me know if there are any more questions I can answer Rebecca