Milo only eating chicken stix

[broodizt]

Milo will be 16 weeks on Valentines day. He has been ignoring his kibble that the breeder gave me, and the wet food she gave me too (I think it is Cesar's) I switched him slowly to a premium pet food, Halshens chicken and veggies, and he is still ignoring it. The only thing he loves is gerber chicken sticks. He eats two at most of his meals. I have been trying to feed him four meals a day (he is only 1 lb 11.5 to 12.5 ounces) but he will only eat three meals usually. I am worried about him going hypoglycemic on me, so I feed him whatever he will eat. But I worry about him getting too much protein. Is this a concern at this stage? He loves to tear right through the chicken sticks while I hold them and he rips them apart and gobbles them down. There were times he was going for 3 or 4, but I was afraid he would throw up, but recently he usually goes for about two a meal. But he just doesn't seem that interested in meals. What do you think? Any suggestions?

[broodizt]

Hi there again. Nothing has changed. Was hoping someone would have some advice for me about Milo and the chicken stix? Should I continue to feed him the chicken stiix without being concerned about his protein intake, as this is the only thing he likes to eat. Today, I took one tablespoon of his kibble and soaked it in warm chicken soup to see if he would eat it. Will update as soon as I know if this is enticing to him. So far, it's still in his bowl.

Would love to hear from someone to tell me what I am doing wrong.
Thanks, Shellie

[mimimomo]

Hi Shellie, I wouldn't be concerned about the protein intake, I would be concerned that it's not a balanced diet. It surely is not good for long term & it's not good for growing puppies. If he ate his food along w/the chicken stix as a treat, that would be fine, but it seems like he tasted something yummy & is not going to eat his dog food anymore...
Have you tried moistening his kibble & chop up the chicken stix & mix it all together? What is Halshens? Have you tried a different kibble or canned food?

[lisaly]

My biggest concern is that this isn't something that's nutritionally balanced for Milo. I give baby food to Katie when she has an upset tummy, but it's only short-term. I home-cook for Katie and supplement her food with BalanceIt.

I know all too well the fears of hypoglycemia in a young puppy. Twenty years ago, after my husband swore to himself that he wanted our new pup to eat dog food, we worried she was not eating the first day. Because of concerns about hypoglycemia, he lasted about six hours. That very same night, my husband was sharing his food with Ashley.

[broodizt]

Yup, I tried cutting up and smooching the gerber chicken sticks with his kibble-he kind of picks at the chicken sticks, grazing and going back and forth very occasionally for a piece of it, but not touching the kibble. Sometimes he will eat the Halshens (Very high quality raw chicken and veggies- a complete food) but then after he eats it, then he won't at the next meal. And no, haven't tried different kibble or canned food. My Vet is not a fan of kibble or canned food, but I'm willing to try anything that is good for him that he will eat with any consistency. He is definitely not eating four meals a day, I'm happy if I can get three down him.

Any suggestions about a really tasty dog food that you think a finicky eater might like?

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Hi Shellie, I wouldn't be concerned about the protein intake, I would be concerned that it's not a balanced diet. It surely is not good for long term & it's not good for growing puppies. If he ate his food along w/the chicken stix as a treat, that would be fine, but it seems like he tasted something yummy & is not going to eat his dog food anymore...
Have you tried moistening his kibble & chop up the chicken stix & mix it all together? What is Halshens? Have you tried a different kibble or canned food?

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by broodizt

Yup, I tried cutting up and smooching the gerber chicken sticks with his kibble-he kind of picks at the chicken sticks, grazing and going back and forth very occasionally for a piece of it, but not touching the kibble. Sometimes he will eat the Halshens (Very high quality raw chicken and veggies- a complete food) but then after he eats it, then he won't at the next meal. And no, haven't tried different kibble or canned food. My Vet is not a fan of kibble or canned food, but I'm willing to try anything that is good for him that he will eat with any consistency. He is definitely not eating four meals a day, I'm happy if I can get three down him.

Any suggestions about a really tasty dog food that you think a finicky eater might like?

Ok, then it was the raw Halshan...if he eats it for 1 meal, then maybe you can give him something else for the other meal. Like canned food (make sure it is all life stages) or freeze dried raw like Primal w/water added to it. Whatever he'll like. Maybe he'll enjoy the different textures & proteins, variety. My guys go bonkers for Primal.

[broodizt]

What is BalanceiT? Is it something I can get from the Pet Store (Natural Pet Food and Supplys?) Can I mix it in with the chicken sticks and then he would be getting a balanced diet? Is it a liquid or powder? I do supplement his food with calcium and a vitamin/mineral supplement called Catalyn. Would I need additional supplements if he is getting calcium and catalyn?

Thanks for helping

Originally Posted by lisaly

My biggest concern is that this isn't something that's nutritionally balanced for Milo. I give baby food to Katie when she has an upset tummy, but it's only short-term. I home-cook for Katie and supplement her food with BalanceIt.

I know all too well the fears of hypoglycemia in a young puppy. Twenty years ago, after my husband swore to himself that he wanted our new pup to eat dog food, we worried she was not eating the first day. Because of concerns about hypoglycemia, he lasted about six hours. That very same night, my husband was sharing his food with Ashley.

[broodizt]

Jenny,
He ate the Halshans at one or two meals, really well, then refused ever since. This is one tuff pup LOL!!! I'll try the Halshans again today. I just tried the kibble soaked in chicken broth--no go. Maybe I'm feeding him too early. I started about 7:30/8:00 AM. Maybe I should try later, like 10:00AM. My Vet says the little ones do better later on. But I'm terrified of hypoglycemia so I try to feed really early. Well, have to go check on him now. Thanks for your help. If you think of any other brands he might like, let me know. I may try to pick up some primal today, along with more Halshans, which Cassie is back to eating again. Take care, and thanks again-
Shellie

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Ok, then it was the raw Halshan...if he eats it for 1 meal, then maybe you can give him something else for the other meal. Like canned food (make sure it is all life stages) or freeze dried raw like Primal w/water added to it. Whatever he'll like. Maybe he'll enjoy the different textures & proteins, variety. My guys go bonkers for Primal.

[broodizt]

That very same night, my husband was sharing his food with Ashley.[/QUOTE]

Yup, I know the feeling!!!

Thanks for your help-
So much appreciated!

[mimimomo]

I have a really picky girl...she thinks she's a judge on top chef, Mimi tastes her food, slowly chews it, savors it! She absolutely adores Primal...but it has to be the freeze dried kind, she won't touch the frozen ones IDK why, she loved it @ 1st. They do sell the smaller bags of freeze dried.

She also loves any kind of canned food, like Weruva, Party Animal, Nature's Logic & there's others I can't remember right now...all grain free. They also loved ziwipeak air dried lamb. I only shop online or go to the pet boutique that carries premium dog food.

[lisaly]

BalanceIt is recommended by many veterinary nutritionists who are members of the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists. Theoretically you could use the Carnivore Blend with just a protein source or probably the Original Blend, but I choose a diet with chicken, vegetables, and rice. I like the vitamins (and probiotic max) from Nature's Farmacy but they need additional calcium and I'm not sure if they are fully balanced. I'm sure you'll find something that will work for Milo because you are so devoted to your babies.

https://secure.balanceit.com/tools/r...tor/index.php?
https://secure.balanceit.com/info/howitworks.php
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Frequently Asked Questions about Home-cooked Diets for Pets — Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

DOGZYMES® Ultimate – 2 Pound » Natures Farmacy Inc.

[broodizt]

Good NEWS!!!
Milo ate his Halshans 3 meals in a row today PLUS some of his kibble tonight for supper!! YAY!!! He has one more meal to go so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that he will eat it. What I did was I warmed the Halshans in another dish under the one the food was in with hot water, then I added a smidgeon of dried chicken liver sprinkled on the food and a smidgeon (few grains) of Parmesan cheese. Boy did he go at it. I was thrilled!!!

[broodizt]

Wow, Milo just finished his FOURTH meal, yes, i said it and I MEANT it LOL!
His FOURTH meal today. I never thought he would do it, but he did. And then, after I praised him for eating his yummies, he started to eat his kibble. Boy did he have a good dinner tonight. What a difference a little sprinkle of this and that makes on his Halshans after it is warmed. Boy, I'm telling you, it gave him an appetite to eat the kibble he has been ignoring for ten days. I'm Psyched!!!
YEAH!!!!

[Fancyandfree]

My 16 week old yorkie Isabella has me going crazy trying to find something she will eat. I have tried many brands of dry and wet foods. I have gone as far as to
make her buffalo meat rice carrots green beans pumpkin apples plain yogurt and
cottage cheese. She will sometimes eat it the first time I serve it then start hiding it. She eats so little I worry about her growth and health. She gets diarrhea from any foods containing chicken. I am stumped! Any strategies on getting her to eat regularly?

[yorkietalkjilly]

Guess you are just going to have to mash the chicken sticks up and soften them and then mix them into the other food so he can't pick them out, feeding him only very tiny portions often at first. Somehow when you change a dog's food and add something they don't like but need to have, small, frequent portions are more enticing for them.