HELP.......I need food suggestions

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by jnsdrexler02

Okay.............I'm going to have to try that!! I thought the Blue Buffalo was going to work but.......................NO LUCK!! In fact she just seems to be turning her nose up to "dog food" period!!!! She loves scrambled eggs so I tried mixing that with her kibble.............no luck! I think I am going to have to start baking chicken and rice and going that route. I'm not used to this...........my little Chihuahua will eat anything! Are these hunger strikes normal????

Really, she is training you to feed her human food, and you really need to combine human food correctly to give a dog a balanced diet. Chicken and rice are only acceptable short term, when your dog is having intestinal issues, as it is easy on the stomach, but it does not have enough nutrition for dogs long term. If you want to home cook, you really have to study and additional supplements are a necessity, do not think a balanced human diet is a balanced canine diet.

The good thing about healthy kibble is that studies show that most dogs will not overeat, and you can safely free fed many dogs without fear of overeating. In other words, the kibble is just tasty enough to nourish, but not tasty enough to tempt them to overindulge. I think you should decide on a kibble that you think is a good choice, and then put her bowl out twice a day for 15-20 minutes and take it away. She will learn that she doesn’t get tastier choices of she avoids her dog food. It may take up to 48 hours before she learns, but most dogs learn in 24 hours. Don’t give ANY treats or other food.

[jnsdrexler02]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Really, she is training you to feed her human food, and you really need to combine human food correctly to give a dog a balanced diet. Chicken and rice are only acceptable short term, when your dog is having intestinal issues, as it is easy on the stomach, but it does not have enough nutrition for dogs long term. If you want to home cook, you really have to study and additional supplements are a necessity, do not think a balanced human diet is a balanced canine diet.

The good thing about healthy kibble is that studies show that most dogs will not overeat, and you can safely free fed many dogs without fear of overeating. In other words, the kibble is just tasty enough to nourish, but not tasty enough to tempt them to overindulge. I think you should decide on a kibble that you think is a good choice, and then put her bowl out twice a day for 15-20 minutes and take it away. She will learn that she doesn’t get tastier choices of she avoids her dog food. It may take up to 48 hours before she learns, but most dogs learn in 24 hours. Don’t give ANY treats or other food.

You're right SHE is training ME . I will take your suggestion and see how that goes. I just get SO worried when she won't eat! I guess she sees the huge SUCKER stamped accross my head!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by jnsdrexler02

You're right SHE is training ME . I will take your suggestion and see how that goes. I just get SO worried when she won't eat! I guess she sees the huge SUCKER stamped accross my head!

I know exactly how you feel, Joey had me wrapped around his finger, and when he was less than 4 pounds I really worried when he wouldn't eat. We found a dog food he did love, but went through about 5 different brands before we found something. He wouldn't touch any of the super-premium foods, and we compromised with a medium healthy food that he'd eat. It's easier to write the advice than take it, but you must convince yourself, you are doing the best thing for her.

[jnsdrexler02]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I know exactly how you feel, Joey had me wrapped around his finger, and when he was less than 4 pounds I really worried when he wouldn't eat. We found a dog food he did love, but went through about 5 different brands before we found something. He wouldn't touch any of the super-premium foods, and we compromised with a medium healthy food that he'd eat. It's easier to write the advice than take it, but you must convince yourself, you are doing the best thing for her.

I have to thank you for this post......................I finally did the same thing. She really didn't like any of the premium foods but she LOVES Chef Michael !!!!! She is finally eating!!!! It was great to read your post and know that I wasn't alone..................THANK YOU!!!!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by jnsdrexler02

I have to thank you for this post......................I finally did the same thing. She really didn't like any of the premium foods but she LOVES Chef Michael !!!!! She is finally eating!!!! It was great to read your post and know that I wasn't alone..................THANK YOU!!!!

Glad you found something that works, I think they get less fussy as they get older, Joey seems to like most foods now, but after switching to a Premium brand, he had problems with runny eyes so we switched back.