Snickers is rejecting his NV raw & Evo kibble!!!

[viviansnickers]

So if things weren't already poopy!! Many of you know Snick is having LP surgery next week so I'm already super worried and bummed out about that. Well for about the past month Snick has been really weird about his raw and eating in general. I know it might have to do with his meds and such but this guy does not want to eat much in a day at all. I can't remember the last time he toouched his kibble (Evo.)

Any nowadays, he sniffs his raw, eats maybe 1/2 and leaves the rest. I have switched up flavors and everything!!! I even tried mixing in cheese and veggies etc. Nothing!! This stinks!!

Should I try a new type of raw? Primal? Has anyone elses raw eater gotten sick of their raw? I'm almost contemplating trying Royal Canine kibble as I know many dogs like it. With Snick about to have surgery, he needs to eat. I know food transition can take time, Snick is pretty good about it.....I have even tried some canned foods and those he sometimes licks up but I don't want him on only canned food.

ANY SUGGESTIONS???

Sniff sniff---
-Viv & Snick

[BonBon]

What?!?!? Snickers, what are you doing to your poor momma?

Can I suggest trying NV's Instinct or Prairie kibble in place of his Evo? I know of 2 YT members whose boys just quit eating Evo in the last month or so, but they love the NV kibble. And you'd probably feel better feeding it than you would the RC.

If this works, just hold off on the raw for awhile. I bet it's just his meds. I can't imagine any of mine getting tired of their raw medallions. If he still won't eat the raw after his surgery, you could try changing brands then. I just wouldn't mix his diet up too much right now. That's part of why I think it would be easier if you could just switch him to Instinct & at least keep him on a good grain-free diet.

[viviansnickers]

Bonny..,,,I tried INSTINCT w/o luck!!!!!!!! Waaaaaaaa!!!!!

I think I am going to try the Primal though...and maybe Innova kibble. I know it's close to surgery, but my Snicky's gotta eat!!! He has a great tummy and does well with new foods. I feel like he is tarving himself right now!!


-Viv

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Bonny..,,,I tried INSTINCT w/o luck!!!!!!!! Waaaaaaaa!!!!!

I think I am going to try the Primal though...and maybe Innova kibble. I know it's close to surgery, but my Snicky's gotta eat!!! He has a great tummy and does well with new foods. I feel like he is tarving himself right now!!


-Viv

Well, darn! You're right - he's gotta eat. Do what you need to for now. If it is the meds, he'll get back to his usual self real soon. Good luck!

[Wylie's Mom]

Well this is odd Viv...what are the meds?

[viviansnickers]

Ann---

Rimadyl....he's been off the meds for about a week now though. You should have seen him on the meds, would not eat anything and he has been finicky with his raw for about a MONTH!!!! God knows when the last time he ate some kibble was.

Ugh-
Viv

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Ann---

Rimadyl....he's been off the meds for about a week now though. You should have seen him on the meds, would not eat anything and he has been finicky with his raw for about a MONTH!!!! God knows when the last time he ate some kibble was.

Ugh-
Viv

Oh, that makes total sense! Loss of appetite and digestive tract stuff often happens on Rimadyl. And then after, they often continue to associate the smell of "I don't feel good" w/ whatever they were smelling at the time they weren't feeling good. It may take him a little time to get back on track (always takes Marcel wayyyy more time than Wylie, who takes almost NO time).

Do you have any canned/sliced mashed white (or sweet) canned (or fresh) potatoes on hand? If yes, micro or cook them up - mash and lightly butter/salt them and serve them plain for a couple meals or mix w/ some kibble (or raw, or skip raw for a couple/few days). Mainly, the goal is to just re-stim his appetite right now, esp. prior to surgery. Do you know if he likes potatoes, btw?

[viviansnickers]

Awesome suggestion Ann!! I will try the potato. The thing I fear is, Snick started refusing his NV WAY before he was put on meds.

[xoxodoglover89]

I wasn't able to continue feeding Sasha the NV Raw. She began refusing it after about 2 months of eating it. I even offered her different flavors and the NV Instinct & Prairie kibble as well, but still a no go. I guess it just wasn't for her. Now she's eating a rotation diet of high protein grain free kibble and is doing very well. I was actually able to get through an entire bag of kibble which hasn't happened in a long time. She finished EVO and is now on TOTW.

I really hope Snick gets better soon and gets his appetite back. It's so frustrating when they don't eat.

[viviansnickers]

Primal did it....he loved it, wanted more. We started with Duck, something he has never had. I'm so excited!! It's kind of like starting raw all over again with the excitement....remember Ann?? I love Primal's starter pack.

I also picked up a kibble which I am very slowly introducing called Acana by Champion foods who also make Orijen. Snick also LOVED this. I did some reading on it and it looks like a fantastic food. Grainfree, not to high in protein (34%) compared to Evo, and less fatty. Snick did fine on Evo but I guess after 8 months of the same, he was done with it.

Thanks gals....
I'm smiling
-Viv

[brownminerva]

Hi Viv:
Perhaps the poor little one is feeling bad from the pain, and even senses your concern over the surgery. (A la Cesar's Psychology effects???)
As it is only days now before surgery and he needs to get nutrition aboard to take him thro' the surgery etc, it would not hurt to feed him whatever his little heart desires even if it is not the 'best' food. Does he still go for treats? Natural Balance makes some little biscuit treats that I believe are turkey, oats and cranberry etc, and when I had my dog who wouldn't eat anything else, she gobbled up these. They are pretty good quality ingredients and might get little Snickers eating again. Also I think Nat. Bal. makes a soft roll (turkey based) food that most dogs tolerate well and love.
I know you are very stressed now with the impending surgery and now the eating problem, and I feel for you and wish you every good luck and success with finding something that Snick will eat from now on.
Hope he continues to eat the Primal and that 'the problem' of food has gone away.
What we go through with these tiny little furbabies!
Hugs and prayers.
From one who has been there!

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Primal did it....he loved it, wanted more. We started with Duck, something he has never had. I'm so excited!! It's kind of like starting raw all over again with the excitement....remember Ann?? I love Primal's starter pack.

I also picked up a kibble which I am very slowly introducing called Acana by Champion foods who also make Orijen. Snick also LOVED this. I did some reading on it and it looks like a fantastic food. Grainfree, not to high in protein (34%) compared to Evo, and less fatty. Snick did fine on Evo but I guess after 8 months of the same, he was done with it.

Thanks gals....
I'm smiling
-Viv

Viv, you are sooooo lucky!! No around here carries Primal or Orijen or Acana. Those are all great foods I would love to try someday.

I am thrilled that he likes it and is eating well! Maybe he just got bored with his food? IDK. Give him big huggins for me and tell him I said to keep it up. Good job!

[xoxodoglover89]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Primal did it....he loved it, wanted more. We started with Duck, something he has never had. I'm so excited!! It's kind of like starting raw all over again with the excitement....remember Ann?? I love Primal's starter pack.

I also picked up a kibble which I am very slowly introducing called Acana by Champion foods who also make Orijen. Snick also LOVED this. I did some reading on it and it looks like a fantastic food. Grainfree, not to high in protein (34%) compared to Evo, and less fatty. Snick did fine on Evo but I guess after 8 months of the same, he was done with it.

Thanks gals....
I'm smiling
-Viv

So glad that you found something for him that he likes!

I'm curious, where did you find Acana? I looked on their website and the store locater only showed 2 stores...1 in rochester hills and the other in saline. I would like to use Acana eventually in Sasha's rotation diet, but those 2 areas are a little far for me. I know you were kind of close to my area. I suppose Rochester Hills wouldn't be bad, but anyways I was just curious.

[viviansnickers]

Hey xoxo---

Actually yesterday I was ABOUT to hike it to Rochester to check out The Urban Dog, but then decided not to since it was rush hour and went to The Pet Beastro (on John between 11mile and 12mile) and they had ACANA there! They just started supplying it and I was so happy I didn't drive the haul to Rochester in rush hour traffic. The Pet Beastro has only the best foods, the girl that owns it (Jill) is very knowledgeable and knows a TON about food and homeopathic therapy.

Check it out for sure
-Snick & Viv

[viviansnickers]

The Pet Beastro also carries:
Primal Raw
Oma's Pride Raw
Bravo Raw (or something that starts with B)
Fromm Kibble
Orijen
Acana
Artemis
Nature's Logic

The Pet Beastro carries "Alternative" foods! I LOVE IT!!! I buy my snacks for Snick there as well. The owner is super picky about what she stocks.

-Vivian