Im giving up...I cannot get my dogs to eat dog food

[lulababy]

is chicken or beef and rice a balanced meal? I dont get the feeling that it is?... what else can you add to it to make ti more balanced, besides nutrical?

[TootiesMom]

AMEN! My little Monster wont eat either.... and I just keep giving in... hehe

d

[cinnamonmon]

You know what, when I was on vacation last year, I froze the home cooked food into little bags like you suggested...but they didnt like that as well as when it is cooked fresh. Part of the other reason I stopped was because of what someone else said...I love my dogs, but if I am going to have to add all of those other things to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition, then it is too much work. I should not be spending more time on cooking for my dogs than my family...thats just my opinion.
I also would like to know if giving just chicken and rice by itself is healthy enough or does it have to have other things added to it?
I have also tried the tough love approach but that ended up with sleepless nights for me as they still wouldnt eat and were up and down all night, restless I guess because they were hungry.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by cinnamonmon

You know what, when I was on vacation last year, I froze the home cooked food into little bags like you suggested...but they didnt like that as well as when it is cooked fresh. Part of the other reason I stopped was because of what someone else said...I love my dogs, but if I am going to have to add all of those other things to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition, then it is too much work. I should not be spending more time on cooking for my dogs than my family...thats just my opinion.
I also would like to know if giving just chicken and rice by itself is healthy enough or does it have to have other things added to it?
I have also tried the tough love approach but that ended up with sleepless nights for me as they still wouldnt eat and were up and down all night, restless I guess because they were hungry.

Homecooked has to be supplemented.
Chicken and rice is not balanced.
It should only take 3 or 4 hours a month to cook but if you don't want to cook, that is understandable.

[hornsbyj1]

Originally Posted by lulababy

im having a similar problem... and she also has to be handfed or she wont eat. she is just too spoiled! ive created a little monster!

the problem is i feel like i cant put my foot down/let her starve for three days until she eats the dog food, because she is so small.. i fear she will go into hypoglycemic shock

This can certainly happen, then you could never forgive yourself, with these little guys you just can't hold out. I don't mind cooking for my furbabies because spending time and effort is the reason I have mine, they give me back twice the love.

[CupofDog]

Originally Posted by lulababy

is chicken or beef and rice a balanced meal? I dont get the feeling that it is?... what else can you add to it to make ti more balanced, besides nutrical?

First, nutrical isn't a nutritional supplement! its basically sugar and corn syrup and its meant for use by owners of tiny breeds as they have a tendancy towards hypoglycemia as puppies. Once a dog reaches between 8-12 months old, the nutrical should be stopped.

It shouldn't be fed to adults because it rots teeth and has no nutritional value. I use it only in emergencies, when my little one has not eaten in a few hours and if her eyes get glazed or she gets shaky. (Symptoms of hypoglycemia) One a dog reaches adulthood, they don't tend to get hypoglycemic because as adults, they are able to maintain even blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Second, no dog will starve themselves. Its against their survival instinct - so don't feel like the pup will die! They wont. If you leave out their bowl for 15 -20 minutes and then take it away, whether they eat or not, they'll get the idea. Do not fill them up during the day with treats or other goodies. Within a day or two, your dog will be eating out of a bowl.

There are good products you can use to stimulate appetite and be healthy - I like canned Tripe. Solid Gold makes one called Green Cow, although my favorite is by a brand called Tripett. Tripe is a natural appetite stimulant and is one of the healthiest things you can offer your pooch.

Homecooking is fine - the concept is that each meal needs not be complete and balanced - its how humans eat, we eat complete and balanced meals over the course of each week, giving our bodies the fuel to survive. Using a multivitamin is helpful to ensure your growing pet is getting the vitamins and minerals she needs. I recommend you get some books from the bookstore that have recipes and recommendations for home feeding.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by cinnamonmon

You know what, when I was on vacation last year, I froze the home cooked food into little bags like you suggested...but they didnt like that as well as when it is cooked fresh. Part of the other reason I stopped was because of what someone else said...I love my dogs, but if I am going to have to add all of those other things to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition, then it is too much work. I should not be spending more time on cooking for my dogs than my family...thats just my opinion.
I also would like to know if giving just chicken and rice by itself is healthy enough or does it have to have other things added to it?
I have also tried the tough love approach but that ended up with sleepless nights for me as they still wouldnt eat and were up and down all night, restless I guess because they were hungry.

You have taught them to hold out. Is there a time for you that you could do this, that sleep deprivation won't be too upsetting? You know, actually setting aside a certain day to start this, and be committed. I would also suggest giving them lots of exercise during that period, with lots of walks, the more tired and hungrier they are, the better. I've been reading quite a bit about this, and have never read of any going over 3 days. I wouldn't do this with a puppy, but for a healthy dog with no hypoglycemic issues, there shouldn't be a problem.

I think part of the problem may be you feel a little guilty about not giving them human food, but there are plenty of dog foods out there that have been shown to be more than adequate in meeting their needs. I really think unless you take the time to really study canine nutrition, home cooking can be much worse for them, than dog food. There seems to be so many experts, and so few of them agree on anything, sifting out the truth from the garbage, is not an easy process.

Oh yes, cupofdog is correct about the nutri-cal.

[Yorkiedaze]

Home cooking cannot be beat. It's cheaper, healthier and you know exactly what they are eating. I make up a batch to last 4 or 5 weeks. I also boil up about 8 eggs, leave the shells on and keep in the ref. I buy Goodmorning brand veggie burgers that I can just pop in the toaster, I buy the same brand breakfast bites. Home cooking is difficult. It's safe!!

[betsi]

TRAIN THEM TO EAT My vet said you can train a dog to eat by giving him his favorite treat after he eats some of his kibble. Just like potty training! Encourage them to eat a little, then go crazy with the praise and give their favorite treat! Repeat until they learn to eat when they are fed. OK, the theory is good, but I don't know if it works because Boomer is a good eater

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Home cooking cannot be beat. It's cheaper, healthier and you know exactly what they are eating. I make up a batch to last 4 or 5 weeks. I also boil up about 8 eggs, leave the shells on and keep in the ref. I buy Goodmorning brand veggie burgers that I can just pop in the toaster, I buy the same brand breakfast bites. Home cooking is difficult. It's safe!!

I meant to say home cooking "isn't" difficult!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

I meant to say home cooking "isn't" difficult!

Could it have been a Freudian slip?

[CupofDog]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

You have taught them to hold out. Is there a time for you that you could do this, that sleep deprivation won't be too upsetting? You know, actually setting aside a certain day to start this, and be committed. I would also suggest giving them lots of exercise during that period, with lots of walks, the more tired and hungrier they are, the better. I've been reading quite a bit about this, and have never read of any going over 3 days. I wouldn't do this with a puppy, but for a healthy dog with no hypoglycemic issues, there shouldn't be a problem.

I think part of the problem may be you feel a little guilty about not giving them human food, but there are plenty of dog foods out there that have been shown to be more than adequate in meeting their needs. I really think unless you take the time to really study canine nutrition, home cooking can be much worse for them, than dog food. There seems to be so many experts, and so few of them agree on anything, sifting out the truth from the garbage, is not an easy process.

Oh yes, cupofdog is correct about the nutri-cal.

Couldn't agree more!

[AmourYorkies]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I hear your frustration. I guess it depends on what you would like to do. If you want to switch them to a certain food, just do it and don't give them anything else. I promise they will eat when they get hungry enough. Most people say it takes a couple of days, but they will eat when they get hungry. After that, they seem to love the new food. Is there a food that you would like to feed them, that they ate before, and you know doesn't cause upset?

^^^^This is absolouteley correct Nancy hit it right on the nose. If they get hungry enough THEY WILL EAT don't offer them something for a day and give up if they don't eat it. Keep offer whatever food you choose to feed them and stick to it don't offer them anything else, trust me once their hunger kicks in they won't really care about the flavor

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Could it have been a Freudian slip?

Freudian.............a mistake made in speaking that, it is thought, inadvertently reveals unconscious motives, desires, etc. ?????? I can't find my motive or desire.........

[YorkieLvr]

I don't know how to bump a thread, but this one was filled with lots of great recipes and tips for homecooking, it is under Health & Diet and the thread title was Homemade Yorkie Recipes (Food & Treats) dated 4/12/07 , thought you might like to check it out if you haven't already seen it.