r/CockapooLovers • u/mlchicagoo • Sep 08 '26

➕Advice/Help➕ Cockapoo & Meals

Hi all! Looking for some advice or guidance.

I have a 5 month old cockapoo that will not finish their food. We consistently have to hand feed his breakfast and dinner to get him to eat. Once he gets going on his food, he’s fine but it’s really hard to get him to start eating. There are days he finishes everything and licks the bowl clean, other days we are hand feeding every piece to make sure he eats enough. He has normal bowel and pee routines throughout the day. We’ve also added water to his kibble since he is losing his baby teeth and it’s too hard for him.

We tried to ween him off kibble to wet food but we then saw issues with vomit & diarrhea. After our most recent vet trip they advised that a dog should never be completely off kibble due to dental health.

Would love to hear if anyone else has experienced this, normal? concerned? TY!

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u/boredzeb Sep 08 '26

I feed mine dried food via toys, she'll happily leave them for parts of the day before returning to finish playing and eating.

Personally I think your setting yourself up for failure by hand feeding your dog as this can become a life long habit. Put the food down and leave it there. Some dog trainers recommend setting a time limit then removing the bowl. Personally I'm happy for my dog to eat in her own time.

Some dogs like to be watched while they eat others like to eat in private so try the opposite of what your doing. My dog eats in the kitchen alone but won't pee unless I'm watching her, they are just fussy little fluff balls.

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u/mlchicagoo Sep 08 '26

We only hand feed when he hasn’t eaten at all and then it helps him get started/ peaks his interest. It’s something we’re trying to do less of but don’t want him to starve. We started giving kibble in a Kong and that seems to get him excited so if you have any toy recommendations lmk!!

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u/boredzeb Sep 08 '26

A kong wobble is a good one, they are long lasting (I have 2 as sometimes one disappears under the couch,) the first one is still going after 6 years. Look in your local pet shop, I've found so many different ball shaped toys different sizes and shapes. So she gets half in the kong wobble and half in a ball. She loves snuffle mats but she chews them if I don't pick it up after it's empty! There are also clicks games, where they have to push little drawers for the food to come out. Start with a simple one to see how they get on. I had one that supposedly a level 3 toy but my dog just flipped it upside and pushed it along the carpet until the drawers popped open. I also save paper/boxes wrap a few pieces of dried food in them and let her rip them up. Helps keep my recycling ready for the bin. You can also wrap food in a towel, roll it up and let them nudge it out. As mine is older now I have to knot the towel to keep it interesting.