Feeding tips for tinies.. Hey guys- my new little guy came home yesterday!! Yay! Anyway, he is 13 months and a small three pounds. He had been eating Chicken Soup, but of course he wouldn't touch it yesterday, so I gave him Ranger's Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish, which he loved! I felt bad switching his food like that but I figure it was better for him to eat anything after a ten-hour plane ride than worry about him eating what he's used to. Well, I am used to Ranger gobbling his food in seconds, and have never felt a bone! He's a chub! Ryder appears to just pick at his food, and I would like to get some weight on him. Any tips for putting on some weight and/or getting them to eat well? I mean, I know it's only been a day but I am one of those impatient people who can't wait these things out :p I know there are lots of people here with great advice and experience, can anyone offer me any? Thanks in advance! |
Be careful with switching his diet so suddenly. It can cause a case of the runs. You don't want your dog to dehydrate. Give him time. For his sake don't be impatient. Not sure where you got him from but he may be homesick. Try NutraCal. That usually works up their appetite. One tip I always give people whose dogs choose not to eat when it's feeding time is that you do not cater to them (unless they are sick). Dogs will test you to see if you are a strong leader. If feeding time is at 7:00 a.m. and your dog refuses to eat, give him only 15 minutes time. If he doesn't not eat within that time take his plate away. Do not try again until his next feeding. This causes the dog to understand that he eat when you say. Remember you are the leader. But in this case, I think your dog may just be a bit scared and needs time to adjust. |
I really like canned food, so that is my recommendation. Three pounds and scared isn't good. I would make sure he is getting something. |
My Marcel is around 3 pounds. He eats raw (NV) as does my Wylie. Some dogs who are very, very picky do astoundingly well on raw - so it's something to consider. If your guy is being picky right now and you're worried - perhaps give some good blobs of peanut butter until he adjusts - good source of protein and fat. Bits of cheese, yogurt. Nutrical, if needed for support. |
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Maybe he's just picky. My co-worker has a 3 pount Pom and he eats just a few kibble a day. That would stress me out, never mind the dog. When they're so tiny you get so much more concerned. Have a question non-dog related. How did you personalize the footer of your page with hearts? I'm new at this and am clueless!!! |
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I was going to make up some of the "grow a coat on doorknob" recipe (peanut butter, honey, a certain vitamin and mirra-coat) which will hopefully help his coat and put some weight on. I am about 75% close to the raw diet. I am going to research those threads next! I heard even picky dogs just scarf it down. |
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Go to your the User CP at the top left of the screen. After clicking on that, scroll down to Edit Signature. There's lots of options for it! |
Thanks. My dog loves her canned food. I buy her Merricks. I honestly think this is something I would eat myself. My sister saw it once and said she was going to take a can home to her husband to see if she could fool him. She didn't. But it was a funny thought! |
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But, if you're not ready for it - like Crystal said, they're are some good canned foods out there too. :) Here is NV's website if you need it: Nature's Variety |
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What do you think? I am also glad you mentioned teeth b/c that was my second question. Ryder's teeth are yucky and I am going to have them cleaned when he gets neutered next week but I was just wondering how to keep them clean after! |
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Wow, Ryder's little teeth are already yucky huh? Shoot. Well, he might be prone to bad teeth then...I wonder if he was over vaccinated as a pup - do you know? I mean really, brushing is great - I've just never made it a habit. And the raw has done wonders for my guys teeth. I also use Bully Sticks for their teeth - so you could maybe try that as well. Raw Meaty Bones might help too. |
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If I was going to feed raw at dinner, would I feed the recommended portion, even if I was still feeding kibble in the AM? It recommends 1.6oz for Ryder and 3.6 for Ranger.. but I am assuming that is to be divided into two feedings. If I was trying to get weight on, would that be too much for one feeding? |
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The 1.6 is probably for his daily intake...but...if you want him to gain weight, I'd probably go back to the calculator and put in his "ideal" weight. So, maybe his total intake would then say 2.0 (for example); then, for dinner you'd give 1.0 oz :). |
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