Moved inside and appetite has decreased!

[Mchickingbottom]

I'm the proud owner of Shakespeare, a 1.5 year old fawn English Mastiff male. In preparation for the winter, he received a de-shedding treatment at Petco and now he's coming inside. He is 100% house trained, just spent the summer in the back yard. After 3 days inside, his behavior is exemplary; better than the full-time inside Shi-Tzu (the inside joke with the breed name is that is what she does on the rugs). The one concern that I have is in his appetite. I feed him Diamond Naturals large breed formula which he normally loves, but since he's been in the house he has only eaten 1-2 cups of it. Normally he eats 6 cups per day. Confusing! I know that he is healthy, because he just went to the vet less than a week ago. Could he just be getting used to his new surroundings? He has been in the house before! Please give me some of your past experiences.

 

[TWW]

Most likely because Mastiffs are more of a Inside dog even with there size. If he has been outside for the summer it is a break in his routine. He will start eating again once he settles which could be a week or a month.
As little as a change is were you walk a mastiff can have this effect.

They always want to be as close as possible to there family, you will most likely see a quick change to being very Velcroish with whoever he is closest to.

 

[DennasMom]

I agree with TWW.
I'd say it's a change in his routine, plus less movement (no patrolling the yard, keeping up with squirrels, etc.), and warmer inside, too?
All that would add up to less energy needs and some adjustment period.
As long as he doesn't start losing lots of weight, I wouldn't worry too much about it... but, I'd still keep an eye open. Especially make sure he's still drinking and eliminating normally, too (although, probably with less poop, as less has gone in the front end to be eliminated).

 

[musicdeb]

He's stressed due to the change. 6 cups a day is a lot of food for a 1.5 year old pup, that's more the puppy feeding guideline.

 

[Mchickingbottom]

TWW, it is funny that you mentioned him being Velcroish! He has been extremely clingy lately! Anytime that I sit down, he comes and puts his giant head in my lap, and then proceeds to lay at my feet. Big baby!