Picky eater, advice please. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

jstacy1 · 04-05-2008, 07:59 AM

My Sophie has stopped eating her food, solid gold "wee bits". She has been on it for about a month. But this is the 4th brand she has been on since I've had her. When I first got her she was on Iams/ pedigree. She seemed to like those alot. Well I wanted her to be on a better food so I switched her to innova. Well she ate it for a while then just stopped. So we switched to Cannidae same thing, she ate then stopped. Then we did Evo. She loved it but was giving her the serious runs, and then stopped eating it. Now the same with the wee bits. Everytime she does this she starts eating lots of grass and throwing up bile, since her tummy is empty. She sometime will eat her food if I hand feed her. But lately that isn't even working. I kinda make her some "people" food. Like meaty balls and chicken stew (but time she won't even eat that). But I haven't a clue as what I need to add to make it healthy for her. Please help.

TIA

Jessica

KimluvsLexie · 04-05-2008, 08:47 AM

I'm actually having the same problem with Lexie right now. Just yesterday she just halted her eating. I put her in the x-pen with her food and she ate just a few pieces. This morning she licked honey off her finger and ate a bit of peanut butter that I put on her food. I'm just afraid she's not getting enough nutrition. She has been eating Chicken Soup for the Puppy Lover's Soul for 2 months. She's 5 1/2 months. Anyone have any suggestions?

jstacy1 · 04-05-2008, 08:50 AM

My little girl is 5 months as well-could it be an age thing? I just don't know what to do. Sophie is only 3 lbs, I would hate for to lose weight. She just seems so small and tiny already.

Mom to Hot Rod · 04-05-2008, 10:55 AM

I'd like to find out too! Thank goodness the store that I get his food from had a couple of samples of food! Hot Rod will eat something for a few times then stop. I've got probably 4 different kibbles that he ate then stopped! He just picked all his innova out of his food and has them scattered all over the floor! I feed him a teaspoon of wellness mixed with his kibble and add either chicken or turkey. He picks out what he wants from all of that!

diddy_nyc · 04-06-2008, 02:43 AM

My spanky is 5 months old and is experiencing the same problem. This pup has eaten on so many brands. First it was pedigree, then innova, evo and now we cook lamb, chicken, beef, turkey and veggies for him. Ever since my mom was babysitting him and fed him some seasoned food, he doesnt like to eat the the food we cook for him with no seasoning of course. He picks at his food alot. So i decided to get him some raw food and other food brands...didnt work. one thing is for sure.......when my gf and i eating, he wants to eat our food which is strange.

bgeier · 04-06-2008, 03:17 AM

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share what I know... I'm sure you already know but, If you ever change dog food brands, you must do it gradually. Mix a little of the old with the new brand for several sittings. They can't handle a big change all at once.

When I first got Deucy I switched him to Beneful puppy but made it a mixture of the breeders kibble and Beneful. He's been on it since then...almost 3 years now and not one problem. Also, if they are not eating, as Deucy went through that at first, I fried about a tablespoon of hamburger...GOT RID of all the grease..cooled of the meat and added about a 1/2 teaspoon of cottage cheese. Put that on a little paper plate for him and he gobbled it down..got his appetite back and started eatiing the Beneful mixture again.

Also, if they are not eating, get NUTRICAL ..it's in a tube. Give them a small dallop of it..about dime size from your finger. Nutrical is used especially for toy yorkies. I've always had a tube on hand..it lasts forever and it gets their appetite back to where it should be so they will eat.

Deucy is a toy yorkie and weighs 5# today at 2.5 years old. He is MY LIFE and the LOVE of my life. SOOO precious. I hope this helps! The Veterinarian may also be a good idea as we don't want the little ones getting weaker. It could be a health issue we can't see.

I take Deucy to the Vet about every three months for a complete check up...LOL...but, I am paranoid about him.

captianjack · 04-07-2008, 08:33 AM

My Jack is way too picky, honestly I thought my sheppard
used to be a bit on the picky side and then in walks Jack.

After my sheppard passed away, I never thought anyone would
ever make me wonder about picky babies, but this one... wow!!

We go to the different places to try different foods and I tell them
he hates all different foods and the only one is terrible for him and
its not good for his skin which needs some help right now. I mean
I have spent a lot of money trying all types of ideas, I am now trying
raw (which isnt working) he is as grossed out as my kids. He sticks his
tongue on it and kind of gags and leaves it to sit out. Nothing is working

He wont eat our foods even though he finds it interesting when we
are eating. When we eat chicken soup that is the only thing he will
eat with enthusiasm the chicken and broth off homemade soup, oh and
vanilla ice cream off my husband. THATS IT the rest I literally break up
hold in my hand and slowly when he is starving he eats it while gagging.

Sadly at nine months I have had him for three months and this has
been the pattern.

Sorry its so long.... any input I am open for any input....
thanks Jacks mom

stedmansmommy · 04-07-2008, 08:38 AM

Hi Jessica

Your Sophie sounds ALOT like my Stedman in that they are both super picky eaters. My Stedman would do the same thing with his food and only be interested in it for a little while, then he would stop eating it.

I have to tell you, I switched my babies over to the NV (Nature's Variety) Raw Diet and they absolutely LOVE it. Stedman devours his food now and goes absoltuely nuts for it! I have never in my entire life seem him eat like this and he is over 2 years old. I feed them the Lamb and also the Venison.

Also, my Yorkie girl (Tatum) had SUPER dry, flaky skin and after only being on NV Raw for exactly 1 month now, her skin has DRAMATICALLY improved. I am just absolutely amazed at the results. Also, she is itching ALOT less.

I highly recommend trying NV Raw. It's worth a shot and I think that you will be very pleased with the results, and I'm sure that little Sophie will juts love it

KathyinCali · 04-07-2008, 11:31 AM

I had the same problem with Lucy. I can't even count how many different foods I tried her on. IF she did eat one it was only for a day or two then the same thing, over and over again.

I became desperate and finally tried her on NV raw medallions. She can't wait to eat now! I am so happy to finally have her eating a healthy food.

Ellie May · 04-07-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstacy1

My Sophie has stopped eating her food, solid gold "wee bits". She has been on it for about a month. But this is the 4th brand she has been on since I've had her. When I first got her she was on Iams/ pedigree. She seemed to like those alot. Well I wanted her to be on a better food so I switched her to innova. Well she ate it for a while then just stopped. So we switched to Cannidae same thing, she ate then stopped. Then we did Evo. She loved it but was giving her the serious runs, and then stopped eating it. Now the same with the wee bits. Everytime she does this she starts eating lots of grass and throwing up bile, since her tummy is empty. She sometime will eat her food if I hand feed her. But lately that isn't even working. I kinda make her some "people" food. Like meaty balls and chicken stew (but time she won't even eat that). But I haven't a clue as what I need to add to make it healthy for her. Please help.

TIA

Jessica

If you just want to add food to the kibble to get her to eat, have you tried low or non fat cottage cheese (low sodium is best), plain yogurt or white meat boiled chicken with no seasonings?

If you want to homecook entirely (which I think is the best idea), I recommend talking to a nutritionist because they can help formulate a diet and tell you which supplements to use.

Potter · 04-07-2008, 11:44 AM

Sounds too familiar. Mine is super picky. I had him since he was 3 months old and until now, I am trying my best to keep him eating. I have try a few good brands for dry food and I stopped. Now, I am feeding him Evangers canned Chicken Drummets and that is the only one he loves. I am not sure how long this love for Evangers will last though. Its a little expensive but he eats every bit of it and do not waste any food.

stedmansmommy · 04-07-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyinCali

I had the same problem with Lucy. I can't even count how many different foods I tried her on. IF she did eat one it was only for a day or two then the same thing, over and over again.

I became desperate and finally tried her on NV raw medallions. She can't wait to eat now! I am so happy to finally have her eating a healthy food.

That is exactly what my little ones eat

sassytooyou · 04-07-2008, 01:42 PM

I DO THE SAME THING.
TEDE .DONT GET ME STARTED....

When he starts the no eat thing i do stuff like,1. get bone we have a round one stuff it with different thing. cream cheese no fat. mixed with boiled chicken. OR nutracal.string cheese. 2. take the hide a squaril toy and put chicken jurky in the bottom (wow he found a treat)
3. lick the bowl he eats from.. I KNOW ...

I am on artimas right now little tiny bites. I do know the smaller he like that. if its really bad I will get a tiny tiny bit of salmon and spread it in the bottom of the bowl. I dont know if your yorkie would be use to any of these foods. good luck

jstacy1 · 04-07-2008, 07:59 PM

wow thank you to everyone who has replied. It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one the boat of a picky eater. And all great suggestions. the amazing thing is today she ate an entire cup of her food (she usually only does 1/2.) she must of decided that she was hungry. I going to keep trying...

thank you

tanksmom · 04-07-2008, 08:17 PM

My Chloe is a picky eater as well. I have discovered that the more I cator to her "likes" the more picky she got. I finally just said this is it and made her stay on the food. She did the routine of liking it for a month then picking. She was waiting for me to baby her and switch. I made her stay on it. It was really hard doing the tough love but it did work out, after a week of barely eating enough to survive she went back to eating happily. Now if I could just get her to walk WITH ME on the leash....

04-05-2008, 07:59 AM	#1
jstacy1 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 24	Picky eater, advice please. My Sophie has stopped eating her food, solid gold "wee bits". She has been on it for about a month. But this is the 4th brand she has been on since I've had her. When I first got her she was on Iams/ pedigree. She seemed to like those alot. Well I wanted her to be on a better food so I switched her to innova. Well she ate it for a while then just stopped. So we switched to Cannidae same thing, she ate then stopped. Then we did Evo. She loved it but was giving her the serious runs, and then stopped eating it. Now the same with the wee bits. Everytime she does this she starts eating lots of grass and throwing up bile, since her tummy is empty. She sometime will eat her food if I hand feed her. But lately that isn't even working. I kinda make her some "people" food. Like meaty balls and chicken stew (but time she won't even eat that). But I haven't a clue as what I need to add to make it healthy for her. Please help. TIA Jessica

04-05-2008, 08:47 AM	#2
KimluvsLexie YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Springfield Posts: 483	I'm actually having the same problem with Lexie right now. Just yesterday she just halted her eating. I put her in the x-pen with her food and she ate just a few pieces. This morning she licked honey off her finger and ate a bit of peanut butter that I put on her food. I'm just afraid she's not getting enough nutrition. She has been eating Chicken Soup for the Puppy Lover's Soul for 2 months. She's 5 1/2 months. Anyone have any suggestions? __________________ Kimberly Lee, parents of Lexie , Tucker , and Jordan

04-05-2008, 10:55 AM	#4
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	I'd like to find out too! Thank goodness the store that I get his food from had a couple of samples of food! Hot Rod will eat something for a few times then stop. I've got probably 4 different kibbles that he ate then stopped! He just picked all his innova out of his food and has them scattered all over the floor! I feed him a teaspoon of wellness mixed with his kibble and add either chicken or turkey. He picks out what he wants from all of that! __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

04-06-2008, 02:43 AM	#5
diddy_nyc YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: nyc Posts: 9	having the same issue My spanky is 5 months old and is experiencing the same problem. This pup has eaten on so many brands. First it was pedigree, then innova, evo and now we cook lamb, chicken, beef, turkey and veggies for him. Ever since my mom was babysitting him and fed him some seasoned food, he doesnt like to eat the the food we cook for him with no seasoning of course. He picks at his food alot. So i decided to get him some raw food and other food brands...didnt work. one thing is for sure.......when my gf and i eating, he wants to eat our food which is strange.

04-06-2008, 03:17 AM	#6
bgeier Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 247	yorkies and eating Hi everyone, Just wanted to share what I know... I'm sure you already know but, If you ever change dog food brands, you must do it gradually. Mix a little of the old with the new brand for several sittings. They can't handle a big change all at once. When I first got Deucy I switched him to Beneful puppy but made it a mixture of the breeders kibble and Beneful. He's been on it since then...almost 3 years now and not one problem. Also, if they are not eating, as Deucy went through that at first, I fried about a tablespoon of hamburger...GOT RID of all the grease..cooled of the meat and added about a 1/2 teaspoon of cottage cheese. Put that on a little paper plate for him and he gobbled it down..got his appetite back and started eatiing the Beneful mixture again. Also, if they are not eating, get NUTRICAL ..it's in a tube. Give them a small dallop of it..about dime size from your finger. Nutrical is used especially for toy yorkies. I've always had a tube on hand..it lasts forever and it gets their appetite back to where it should be so they will eat. Deucy is a toy yorkie and weighs 5# today at 2.5 years old. He is MY LIFE and the LOVE of my life. SOOO precious. I hope this helps! The Veterinarian may also be a good idea as we don't want the little ones getting weaker. It could be a health issue we can't see. I take Deucy to the Vet about every three months for a complete check up...LOL...but, I am paranoid about him. __________________ LOVE my DEUCE Click here for Photos

04-05-2008, 08:50 AM	#3
jstacy1 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 24	My little girl is 5 months as well-could it be an age thing? I just don't know what to do. Sophie is only 3 lbs, I would hate for to lose weight. She just seems so small and tiny already.

04-07-2008, 08:33 AM	#7
captianjack Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Niagara Falls Posts: 50 Blog Entries: 1	My Jack is way too picky, honestly I thought my sheppard used to be a bit on the picky side and then in walks Jack. After my sheppard passed away, I never thought anyone would ever make me wonder about picky babies, but this one... wow!! We go to the different places to try different foods and I tell them he hates all different foods and the only one is terrible for him and its not good for his skin which needs some help right now. I mean I have spent a lot of money trying all types of ideas, I am now trying raw (which isnt working) he is as grossed out as my kids. He sticks his tongue on it and kind of gags and leaves it to sit out. Nothing is working He wont eat our foods even though he finds it interesting when we are eating. When we eat chicken soup that is the only thing he will eat with enthusiasm the chicken and broth off homemade soup, oh and vanilla ice cream off my husband. THATS IT the rest I literally break up hold in my hand and slowly when he is starving he eats it while gagging. Sadly at nine months I have had him for three months and this has been the pattern. Sorry its so long.... any input I am open for any input.... thanks Jacks mom

04-07-2008, 08:38 AM	#8
stedmansmommy I Love My Lil' Punkin's Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Stedman and Tatum's World :) Posts: 15,331 Blog Entries: 5	Hi Jessica Your Sophie sounds ALOT like my Stedman in that they are both super picky eaters. My Stedman would do the same thing with his food and only be interested in it for a little while, then he would stop eating it. I have to tell you, I switched my babies over to the NV (Nature's Variety) Raw Diet and they absolutely LOVE it. Stedman devours his food now and goes absoltuely nuts for it! I have never in my entire life seem him eat like this and he is over 2 years old. I feed them the Lamb and also the Venison. Also, my Yorkie girl (Tatum) had SUPER dry, flaky skin and after only being on NV Raw for exactly 1 month now, her skin has DRAMATICALLY improved. I am just absolutely amazed at the results. Also, she is itching ALOT less. I highly recommend trying NV Raw. It's worth a shot and I think that you will be very pleased with the results, and I'm sure that little Sophie will juts love it __________________ Mommy Loves Stedman and Tatum! They have us wrapped around their little paws! Last edited by stedmansmommy; 04-07-2008 at 08:39 AM.

04-07-2008, 11:31 AM	#9
KathyinCali Love My Li'l Lucy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,700	I had the same problem with Lucy. I can't even count how many different foods I tried her on. IF she did eat one it was only for a day or two then the same thing, over and over again. I became desperate and finally tried her on NV raw medallions. She can't wait to eat now! I am so happy to finally have her eating a healthy food. __________________ Kathy and Lil' Lucy and Jammies Rest in Peace my Sweet Buster

04-07-2008, 11:44 AM	#11
Potter YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,583	Sounds too familiar. Mine is super picky. I had him since he was 3 months old and until now, I am trying my best to keep him eating. I have try a few good brands for dry food and I stopped. Now, I am feeding him Evangers canned Chicken Drummets and that is the only one he loves. I am not sure how long this love for Evangers will last though. Its a little expensive but he eats every bit of it and do not waste any food. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=410379 "No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich."

04-07-2008, 01:42 PM	#13
sassytooyou YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: santa rosa Posts: 365	WElcOME to the picky eater site I DO THE SAME THING. TEDE .DONT GET ME STARTED.... When he starts the no eat thing i do stuff like,1. get bone we have a round one stuff it with different thing. cream cheese no fat. mixed with boiled chicken. OR nutracal.string cheese. 2. take the hide a squaril toy and put chicken jurky in the bottom (wow he found a treat) 3. lick the bowl he eats from.. I KNOW ... I am on artimas right now little tiny bites. I do know the smaller he like that. if its really bad I will get a tiny tiny bit of salmon and spread it in the bottom of the bowl. I dont know if your yorkie would be use to any of these foods. good luck __________________ J.G. & T.B

04-07-2008, 07:59 PM	#14
jstacy1 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 24	wow thank you to everyone who has replied. It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one the boat of a picky eater. And all great suggestions. the amazing thing is today she ate an entire cup of her food (she usually only does 1/2.) she must of decided that she was hungry. I going to keep trying... thank you

04-07-2008, 08:17 PM	#15
tanksmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: texas Posts: 563	My Chloe is a picky eater as well. I have discovered that the more I cator to her "likes" the more picky she got. I finally just said this is it and made her stay on the food. She did the routine of liking it for a month then picking. She was waiting for me to baby her and switch. I made her stay on it. It was really hard doing the tough love but it did work out, after a week of barely eating enough to survive she went back to eating happily. Now if I could just get her to walk WITH ME on the leash....