Sonny will not eat, help me!

[Franny]

My Sonny who is just about 2 will not eat his dry food. I tried lots of good quality dry dog food ( he dislikes can food too), but he likes human food. Especially ground beef and hot dogs. So I give in because I can't stand seeing him not eat food. He is healthy otherwise, and he loves the bacon treats, the Beggins. Are all Yorkies this picky? He is my first dog ever. I love him so and want to take good care of him. Any input?

[lexi43]

You just named your problem. When you give your dog table food they wont eat dog food. Take it from one who knows. Sometimes Nutrical will stimulate his appitite. I started sprinkling grated Italian cheese on my dog's food and they seem to eat better now. I know what you mean about not wanting to see him hungry. It's a trap. I heard that a dog will not starve himself. When they get hungry, they'll eat if you don't give in but the more you give him table scraps the more problems you are going to have getting him to eat dog food, and besides human food doesn't have the nutrician that dog food has.

[ally173]

the food u are feeding will eventually get him sick; hot dog is processed; contains chemicals and too high in fat. please stop asap; he can end up with digestive problems that will cause him to stop eating all together.

if you want you can reset his GI system by feeding a bland diet of boiled ground turkey and oatmeal (no seasoning).

dogs can't resist green tripe ; you can add a teaspoon of canned green tripe from solid gold; they sell it at petco. just mix a teaspoon in with a high quality dog food and he should eat all the food. which dog food have you fed him so far?
try wellness simple solution salmon and rice or lamb and rice; and add some canned green tripe to entice the appetite; this should help.

also have you considered feeding raw; if your dog is totally healthy you might want to check out aunt jeni's homemade dog food; it's meant to be fed raw; but i cook it slightly. maybe you can try it.
http://www.auntjeni.com/

good luck

[BanditSocks2]

Originally Posted by ally173

the food u are feeding will eventually get him sick; hot dog is processed; contains chemicals and too high in fat. please stop asap; he can end up with digestive problems that will cause him to stop eating all together.

if you want you can reset his GI system by feeding a bland diet of boiled ground turkey and oatmeal (no seasoning).

dogs can't resist green tripe ; you can add a teaspoon of canned green tripe from solid gold; they sell it at petco. just mix a teaspoon in with a high quality dog food and he should eat all the food. which dog food have you fed him so far?
try wellness simple solution salmon and rice or lamb and rice; and add some canned green tripe to entice the appetite; this should help.

also have you considered feeding raw; if your dog is totally healthy you might want to check out aunt jeni's homemade dog food; it's meant to be fed raw; but i cook it slightly. maybe you can try it.
Home

good luck

I agree. You might want to try raw. I would def stop with the human food though. Our pups are so darn good at training us

[ally173]

Originally Posted by BanditSocks2

I agree. You might want to try raw. I would def stop with the human food though. Our pups are so darn good at training us

yes i agree; the more you feed them different things; the more picky they become and that will cost you and your dog in the long run.
please don't feed the processed food as it's high in chemicals, salt and fat. eventually will cause pancreatitis, ibd and other diseases.
bland diet of homecooked food is ok for a while; at least will get him to eat something healthy. boiled chicken and rice or boiled ground turkey and oatmeal; no seasoning or salt at all.
then u can get a high quality dog food; wet food to start since it's easier to digest and more palatable; and add a teaspoon of the solid gold green tripe. dogs can't resist it. good luck.

[Franny]

Originally Posted by ally173

the food u are feeding will eventually get him sick; hot dog is processed; contains chemicals and too high in fat. please stop asap; he can end up with digestive problems that will cause him to stop eating all together.

if you want you can reset his GI system by feeding a bland diet of boiled ground turkey and oatmeal (no seasoning).

dogs can't resist green tripe ; you can add a teaspoon of canned green tripe from solid gold; they sell it at petco. just mix a teaspoon in with a high quality dog food and he should eat all the food. which dog food have you fed him so far?
try wellness simple solution salmon and rice or lamb and rice; and add some canned green tripe to entice the appetite; this should help.

also have you considered feeding raw; if your dog is totally healthy you might want to check out aunt jeni's homemade dog food; it's meant to be fed raw; but i cook it slightly. maybe you can try it.
Home

good luck

I have tried Royal Canine, Blue Buffalo then I did Beneful, etc etc. I will try your recipe with ground turkey. Will let you know. Thanks!

[Franny]

Sorry I wasn't able to log on these past couple of days. I appreciate all your input. Too late to go out now to petco, but will get the green tripe tomorrow. And will do the ground turkey recipe. This little guy has me in knots. But I love him dearly.

[bellasmomok]

I think the main thing with feeding hotdog is they are SUPER salty!! And too much salt can cause serious problems for your little guy!

[Note: Lots of Yorkies ARE picky eaters....HOWEVER, picky eating CAN mean there is a health issue, such as a liver shunt. Is he otherwise healthy?? Does he have any other symptoms of a liver shunt like staring into space, circling, failure to grow at a normal rate, inability to gain weight, etc...? I suggest discussing the eating issue with your vet, and possibly asking for a Bile Acid Test (pre and post eating!) to be done...it's a simple blood test that can rule out a liver shunt! Yorkies are 38 times more likely than any other breed to have a liver shunt!!]

Barring any health issues, I suggest sticking with a canned food or a kibble, simply because they are nutritionally balanced, and unless you get your "homecooked" recipe from a veterinary nutritionist who will balance the diet, I would only home cook in an emergency situation (as in, he hasn't eaten in 2 whole day!!)

It seems like you've tried a couple of decent kibbles (except Beneful, which isn't a very good quality food)....are you opposed to feeding canned food? Most dogs LOVE canned, and all the talk about canned not being good for their teeth is totally bogus! In fact, canned is way less processed than kibble, so it's probably even better for him. Personally, I have been very opposed to canned simply because I have a super sensitive nose and cannot STAND the smell of it!! HOWEVER, I found a canned food that works for us and doesn't smell too bad. It's the Natural Balance Eatables line (I get it from Petco), which actually look like something for humans...they have visible vegetables with chunks of meat and even "dumplings"!!

My Bella can be a somewhat picky eater too, so here is what I've tried with her....feel free to try any of these options:
1) soak kibble in water for 10+ min until it starts to swell a bit and gets softer--a lot of dogs prefer a softer food, plus soaking it basically rehydrates it, which makes is smell more appetizing
2) mix a tsp or 2 of cottage cheese or mashed potatoes (sweet or white) with either dry OR soaked kibble
3) mix a tsp or 2 of canned food with either dry OR soaked kibble
4) **this is what I do now** put a tsp or 2 of canned food NEXT to dry kibble...the canned will stimulate his appetite, so if he's hungry, he'll go ahead and eat the kibble too...if not, he won't, but at least he had SOMETHING (the canned) **I do this in the morning, and at night I just do dry now! After finally getting into this routine, our feeding times go much more smoothly!**

A couple of other things....a lot of people OVER feed, and think that their Yorkie isn't eating enough. Bella (4.5 lbs) eats maybe 1/4 cup of food PER DAY!! Some days a little more, some days less. And she isn't too thin...or too thick Also, I've found that a lot of times Bella doesn't want to eat on my schedule, she wants to eat on her schedule! So, for a dog who doesn't gobble up whatever you put down for him, it's perfectly fine IMO to free feed, meaning leave dry kibble down all day. I do suggest measuring out how much you're putting down each time, just so you know how much he's eating. If you don't have a dog that overeats, why make him eat on your schedule?? Bella generally eats the smidgeon of canned I give her in the morning plus maybe 3 or 4 kibbles, and then she doesn't eat anymore until an hour or 2 later, when she eats several more kibbles. Because I have a puppy now (Maya) I leave food down for her all day, but Bella doesn't even go near it until around 5:00 or 6:00 or sometimes 7:00 at night.

If it were me, I'd try one of the above....it's best if you can entice him to eat HIS food, and then wean back some of the enticement until you're not having to work so hard to get him to eat!! Good luck!! (And at least consider having his Bile Acids tested.)

[Franny]

Originally Posted by bellasmomok

I think the main thing with feeding hotdog is they are SUPER salty!! And too much salt can cause serious problems for your little guy!

[Note: Lots of Yorkies ARE picky eaters....HOWEVER, picky eating CAN mean there is a health issue, such as a liver shunt. Is he otherwise healthy?? Does he have any other symptoms of a liver shunt like staring into space, circling, failure to grow at a normal rate, inability to gain weight, etc...? I suggest discussing the eating issue with your vet, and possibly asking for a Bile Acid Test (pre and post eating!) to be done...it's a simple blood test that can rule out a liver shunt! Yorkies are 38 times more likely than any other breed to have a liver shunt!!]

Barring any health issues, I suggest sticking with a canned food or a kibble, simply because they are nutritionally balanced, and unless you get your "homecooked" recipe from a veterinary nutritionist who will balance the diet, I would only home cook in an emergency situation (as in, he hasn't eaten in 2 whole day!!)

It seems like you've tried a couple of decent kibbles (except Beneful, which isn't a very good quality food)....are you opposed to feeding canned food? Most dogs LOVE canned, and all the talk about canned not being good for their teeth is totally bogus! In fact, canned is way less processed than kibble, so it's probably even better for him. Personally, I have been very opposed to canned simply because I have a super sensitive nose and cannot STAND the smell of it!! HOWEVER, I found a canned food that works for us and doesn't smell too bad. It's the Natural Balance Eatables line (I get it from Petco), which actually look like something for humans...they have visible vegetables with chunks of meat and even "dumplings"!!

My Bella can be a somewhat picky eater too, so here is what I've tried with her....feel free to try any of these options:
1) soak kibble in water for 10+ min until it starts to swell a bit and gets softer--a lot of dogs prefer a softer food, plus soaking it basically rehydrates it, which makes is smell more appetizing
2) mix a tsp or 2 of cottage cheese or mashed potatoes (sweet or white) with either dry OR soaked kibble
3) mix a tsp or 2 of canned food with either dry OR soaked kibble
4) **this is what I do now** put a tsp or 2 of canned food NEXT to dry kibble...the canned will stimulate his appetite, so if he's hungry, he'll go ahead and eat the kibble too...if not, he won't, but at least he had SOMETHING (the canned) **I do this in the morning, and at night I just do dry now! After finally getting into this routine, our feeding times go much more smoothly!**

A couple of other things....a lot of people OVER feed, and think that their Yorkie isn't eating enough. Bella (4.5 lbs) eats maybe 1/4 cup of food PER DAY!! Some days a little more, some days less. And she isn't too thin...or too thick Also, I've found that a lot of times Bella doesn't want to eat on my schedule, she wants to eat on her schedule! So, for a dog who doesn't gobble up whatever you put down for him, it's perfectly fine IMO to free feed, meaning leave dry kibble down all day. I do suggest measuring out how much you're putting down each time, just so you know how much he's eating. If you don't have a dog that overeats, why make him eat on your schedule?? Bella generally eats the smidgeon of canned I give her in the morning plus maybe 3 or 4 kibbles, and then she doesn't eat anymore until an hour or 2 later, when she eats several more kibbles. Because I have a puppy now (Maya) I leave food down for her all day, but Bella doesn't even go near it until around 5:00 or 6:00 or sometimes 7:00 at night.

If it were me, I'd try one of the above....it's best if you can entice him to eat HIS food, and then wean back some of the enticement until you're not having to work so hard to get him to eat!! Good luck!! (And at least consider having his Bile Acids tested.)

Thanks so much. Your post is very interesting. You know your 'stuff' about your pet, makes me feel a bit innept. But I am learning here. Today he is wondering why I am not giving in. I notice he goes back and picks on his kibble ( I have Royal Canine now) and he gets a little bit and then goes away. So I figure he eats when hungry. So I leave it out for him to eat when he wants it. He is healthy otherwise. His weight is about 5lbs. The vet said to add a little bit of broth to it too, but we will see. He totally controls the house. We are going to take control back. He is so loved it is hard to not give in, isn't it?
Thanks again, really.

[bellasmomok]

Originally Posted by Franny

Thanks so much. Your post is very interesting. You know your 'stuff' about your pet, makes me feel a bit innept. But I am learning here. Today he is wondering why I am not giving in. I notice he goes back and picks on his kibble ( I have Royal Canine now) and he gets a little bit and then goes away. So I figure he eats when hungry. So I leave it out for him to eat when he wants it. He is healthy otherwise. His weight is about 5lbs. The vet said to add a little bit of broth to it too, but we will see. He totally controls the house. We are going to take control back. He is so loved it is hard to not give in, isn't it?
Thanks again, really.

You're welcome! It's perfectly natural to feel inept....trust me, I do all the time! I think it's all about trial and error, etc... You don't know until you know....and you don't even KNOW you don't know until it's happened to you!

Bravo for sticking to your guns and not giving in today!! Yes, if he is going back and picking, then he's eating when he's hungry. I totally understand about worrying if they're eating enough...until recently, I was ALWAYS worried that Bella wasn't. And yes, it is super hard not to give in for me too! When I finally tried giving her the tsp or 2 of canned (which incidentally is what I mix her fish oil and vitamin E in daily) next to her kibble, I finally found a happy medium for me and her....I knew she was eating something, which made me feel better, and she really likes her "treat" every morning.

Adding the broth could be a good idea, however if you're like me you want mealtimes to be as uncomplicated as possible and broth might start complicating it! Also, if you ever do try broth, you probably shouldn't use store bought. They are LOADED with salt, which is not good!! They do make a low sodium variety that I've seen, but I don't know if it's low ENOUGH sodium to be ok?

[Franny]

Well, third day with absolutely no human food for Sonny, he is not happy about that. Got the Wellness Simple Solutions dry and canned and Green Tripe. This is a trial and error. When I think he likes it, he proves me wrong and gives me attitude. I read the post about dividing the can in separate containers and freezing it. Great idea!
I didn't know so many Yorkie parents had the same problem I have.

[bellasmomok]

Originally Posted by Franny

Well, third day with absolutely no human food for Sonny, he is not happy about that. Got the Wellness Simple Solutions dry and canned and Green Tripe. This is a trial and error. When I think he likes it, he proves me wrong and gives me attitude. I read the post about dividing the can in separate containers and freezing it. Great idea!
I didn't know so many Yorkie parents had the same problem I have.

Good girl, way to hold your own!! It's super tough, believe me, I know!! It's definitely trial and error...you'll eventually figure out some that works well for him and for you too. Glad to hear things are going pretty well. I hope the trend keeps going that way!

[pookiebear]

I feel your pain. Mine are pickey pups! I found a food that mine love. I do feed kibble daily, but I feed this every other day. They will fight for it! Check it out, it comes in beef or chicken. I buy an 8 lb roll for $10, with my 4 it doesn't last all that long, but it is a great food. I guarantee this will get eaten. It is available in our local Winn Dixie grocery store. If you have access to it, you should definitely try it.


Freshpet - Natural, fresh refrigerated pet food for healthy dogs and cats

[sashazx75]

Originally Posted by Franny

My Sonny who is just about 2 will not eat his dry food. I tried lots of good quality dry dog food ( he dislikes can food too), but he likes human food. Especially ground beef and hot dogs. So I give in because I can't stand seeing him not eat food. He is healthy otherwise, and he loves the bacon treats, the Beggins. Are all Yorkies this picky? He is my first dog ever. I love him so and want to take good care of him. Any input?

my dad fed his poodle table food when we were younger and he would not touch dog food after that and our vet at the time said once you feed sm..dogs table food they never go back to dog food..i find with my yorkie pups they liked the royal canine for yorkie puppies..when nothing else would work..but if you are feeding table scaps try mixing scrambled egg in it at first to induce sonny back into the dog food..what does everyone else think..

[Franny]

Well, since I posted my first 'help' request I have gotten so much advice. Fourth day here and I went cold turkey on the human food, Sonny did not appreciate it, but have him now on the wellness food, canned and dry and green tripe. So far, he has been nibbling, and sometimes he eats quite a bit. But mostly nibbling. I just went to petco and got wellness canned salmon and rice. I will feed him tonight. We shall see. He pooped normal, so hopefully the change did not hurt.