Finicky eater - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DolcesMom · 09-17-2007, 07:42 PM

Hi all! I'm new to YT and have been looking over the past files reguarding the finicky eaters. I have a 11 month furbaby named Dolce and she's the worst eater! She'll eat something for 1 meal to 2 weeks and then turn her nose up at it. I've tried games, appetite stimulants (when she was smaller and I was worried with the hypoglycemia), I've tried EVERYTHING! Going through majority of dog foods, homemade, raw, rolls, etc in the past 5 months. The people at the pet store told me that by changing her food everytime she refuses to eat I encourage the pickiness. Is this true? If so, how do I break the cycle? She's a healthy weight so she's not starving/ malnutritioned but it's fustrating having to go to the store or whip up something new and pray that she'll eat it.

Any help would be appreciated!

For My Coby · 09-17-2007, 08:18 PM

Welcome to YT!! I have had dogs that go through finiky stages, but mainly just a cat. I tend to agree with the advice you got with inadvertently encouraging the pickiness by switching foods. Usually, as long as they're not starving, I can wait them out, and then they start eating fine again. But it's never been anything really serious or long.

Hopefully, someone will have some better experience for you.

But Welcome to you and Dolce. Can't wait to learn more about her and see some pictures.

Yorkiekids · 09-18-2007, 05:45 AM

Mine are all finicky, and I got the same advice you did at the pet store where I buy their food. Now I stick to one kind, and believe me they won't let themselves starve, and will eventually give in, and eat what their served.

DolcesMom · 09-18-2007, 07:32 AM

Thank you for the responses! Do you free feed or have set meal times?

ChicagoSoul · 09-18-2007, 09:30 AM

My dog used to be the most finicky eater possible. Everybody had to dance, sing and entertain her every meal. It was a disaster. Now, she eats everything in a second, literally.

The problem with your dog is overfeeding. I am positive of that. You probably either feed her too much food if you have scheduled feedings or the food is available in excess to your dog every time.

I've never free fed my dog. However, I did feed her probably more than she needed during my scheduled feedings.

One day when she refused to take food, I waited for 20 minutes without any entertainment and took the food away from her. I gave her a chance to eat again at the lunch time - she refused again. After 20 minutes of waiting, I took the food away from her again. For dinner, I gave her a chance to eat again. After she refused, I did not feed her anything until the following morning. In other words, she had no food for a whole day. The following day, she was a new dog, eating everything. I realized that she could survive for a day without food because she had that much extra. I talked to the vet just to make sure that I am doing everything right and not underfeeding her. The vet said that I am right in every sense. He asked me to look at my dog, who is tiny being under 3 lbs in weight. He said that it really does not take much for such a tiny creature to get full.

I cut her portion in half. It changed my life, literally. The dog has gained weight and is happy, and energetic all the time.

DolcesMom · 09-18-2007, 11:59 AM

The following day, she was a new dog, eating everything. I realized that she could survive for a day without food because she had that much extra. I talked to the vet just to make sure that I am doing everything right and not underfeeding her. The vet said that I am right in every sense. He asked me to look at my dog, who is tiny being under 3 lbs in weight. He said that it really does not take much for such a tiny creature to get full.

Thank you! My Dolce's under 3lbs (2.5 to be exact) and I've been so worried that if she doesn't eat or misses 1 feeding it's the end of the world, she'll go into shock and die. That's the words the breeder told me when we first got her. Scared me sensless. And knowing that you have a tiny one too helps. I'll be tougher and let you guys know!

ps. How much does your little one eat a day? 1/4 cup-1/3 cup?

margie2909 · 04-23-2009, 04:41 AM

Hey there! I'm new to YT and right off the bat I feel at home, thanks.
I too have been having trouble with my 9 month old Leonidas and eating. He seems board with his food and we've played every game from changing bowls, to playing 'hide & seek' to get him to eat. I thought I was going crazy. But then I read the most logical advice.......he's just not hungry! I'm going to try the "leave it out for 20 minutes" tenique and see how it goes.
Thanks!

DolcesMom · 04-23-2009, 09:37 AM

Hi, It's been a while since I've been on this site and wanted to update. My last post for Dolce was back in 07. Since then Dolce was diagnosed with a Liver Shunt, hence forth her severe picky eatting. The foods had too much protien and was making her sick. We've had the surgery since then and also rescued another pup, Juicy! But unfortunately Juicy has MVD, So now both dogs are on a Low Protien Homecooked meal. And both are definatly a lot happier and healthier!
But when Dolce's finickiness does come up, about once a month or so, as long as she's at a healthy weight to begin with, and she is, I don't worry about her missing a meal or two. But I keep her meals the same now and always leave kibble out just in case and monitor it if she eats it.

09-17-2007, 07:42 PM	#1
DolcesMom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch Posts: 24	Finicky eater Hi all! I'm new to YT and have been looking over the past files reguarding the finicky eaters. I have a 11 month furbaby named Dolce and she's the worst eater! She'll eat something for 1 meal to 2 weeks and then turn her nose up at it. I've tried games, appetite stimulants (when she was smaller and I was worried with the hypoglycemia), I've tried EVERYTHING! Going through majority of dog foods, homemade, raw, rolls, etc in the past 5 months. The people at the pet store told me that by changing her food everytime she refuses to eat I encourage the pickiness. Is this true? If so, how do I break the cycle? She's a healthy weight so she's not starving/ malnutritioned but it's fustrating having to go to the store or whip up something new and pray that she'll eat it. Any help would be appreciated!

09-17-2007, 08:18 PM	#2
For My Coby Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,139	Welcome to YT!! I have had dogs that go through finiky stages, but mainly just a cat. I tend to agree with the advice you got with inadvertently encouraging the pickiness by switching foods. Usually, as long as they're not starving, I can wait them out, and then they start eating fine again. But it's never been anything really serious or long. Hopefully, someone will have some better experience for you. But Welcome to you and Dolce. Can't wait to learn more about her and see some pictures. __________________ Diane, and my boys ..... Coby and Reggie !! Striving to be a YTPP - a YT Positive Poster! In Memory of My Beautiful Mother 7/22/28-8/27/08

09-18-2007, 05:45 AM	#3
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	Mine are all finicky, and I got the same advice you did at the pet store where I buy their food. Now I stick to one kind, and believe me they won't let themselves starve, and will eventually give in, and eat what their served. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

09-18-2007, 07:32 AM	#4
DolcesMom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch Posts: 24	finicky eater Thank you for the responses! Do you free feed or have set meal times?

09-18-2007, 11:59 AM	#6
DolcesMom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch Posts: 24	Finicky eater The following day, she was a new dog, eating everything. I realized that she could survive for a day without food because she had that much extra. I talked to the vet just to make sure that I am doing everything right and not underfeeding her. The vet said that I am right in every sense. He asked me to look at my dog, who is tiny being under 3 lbs in weight. He said that it really does not take much for such a tiny creature to get full. Thank you! My Dolce's under 3lbs (2.5 to be exact) and I've been so worried that if she doesn't eat or misses 1 feeding it's the end of the world, she'll go into shock and die. That's the words the breeder told me when we first got her. Scared me sensless. And knowing that you have a tiny one too helps. I'll be tougher and let you guys know! ps. How much does your little one eat a day? 1/4 cup-1/3 cup?

09-18-2007, 09:30 AM	#5
ChicagoSoul Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 130	My dog used to be the most finicky eater possible. Everybody had to dance, sing and entertain her every meal. It was a disaster. Now, she eats everything in a second, literally. The problem with your dog is overfeeding. I am positive of that. You probably either feed her too much food if you have scheduled feedings or the food is available in excess to your dog every time. I've never free fed my dog. However, I did feed her probably more than she needed during my scheduled feedings. One day when she refused to take food, I waited for 20 minutes without any entertainment and took the food away from her. I gave her a chance to eat again at the lunch time - she refused again. After 20 minutes of waiting, I took the food away from her again. For dinner, I gave her a chance to eat again. After she refused, I did not feed her anything until the following morning. In other words, she had no food for a whole day. The following day, she was a new dog, eating everything. I realized that she could survive for a day without food because she had that much extra. I talked to the vet just to make sure that I am doing everything right and not underfeeding her. The vet said that I am right in every sense. He asked me to look at my dog, who is tiny being under 3 lbs in weight. He said that it really does not take much for such a tiny creature to get full. I cut her portion in half. It changed my life, literally. The dog has gained weight and is happy, and energetic all the time.

04-23-2009, 04:41 AM	#7
margie2909 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: san lorenzo, nm, usa Posts: 1	Hey there! I'm new to YT and right off the bat I feel at home, thanks. I too have been having trouble with my 9 month old Leonidas and eating. He seems board with his food and we've played every game from changing bowls, to playing 'hide & seek' to get him to eat. I thought I was going crazy. But then I read the most logical advice.......he's just not hungry! I'm going to try the "leave it out for 20 minutes" tenique and see how it goes. Thanks!

04-23-2009, 09:37 AM	#8
DolcesMom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch Posts: 24	Hi, It's been a while since I've been on this site and wanted to update. My last post for Dolce was back in 07. Since then Dolce was diagnosed with a Liver Shunt, hence forth her severe picky eatting. The foods had too much protien and was making her sick. We've had the surgery since then and also rescued another pup, Juicy! But unfortunately Juicy has MVD, So now both dogs are on a Low Protien Homecooked meal. And both are definatly a lot happier and healthier! But when Dolce's finickiness does come up, about once a month or so, as long as she's at a healthy weight to begin with, and she is, I don't worry about her missing a meal or two. But I keep her meals the same now and always leave kibble out just in case and monitor it if she eats it.