HELP: Blue Buffalo: Issues
 

I think I have a major problem. I've noticed my Yorkie hasn't really touched much of his chicken dry lately, so I thought it's been like 3-4 bags to at least a year that I have switched him and maybe he's tired of the chicken. I got turkey in the basic blue brand and he's eaten some, but not much. I even added a bit of wet chicken (small can), but he goes for that and usually later eats some of the dry. He's eaten more of the chicken than the turkey. Now I have resorted to giving it to him like a buffet meal, tiny scoop of each on a plate. Is this a good thing to do~? My Vet told me a long time ago, it was good to see what food he likes. In a way, I am testing this out.


Tonight when I thought if he's not crazy about the turkey and maybe the fish would be better to switch him too, so I went to Petsmart and purchased a small bag. He was on the fish when I first switched him from Royal Cainine. So now he had 4 different small scoops tonight with a bit of wet (I got a can of the Wilderness Duck & Grilled Chicken). Now he only ate the wet and none of the dry.

I know what ya'll are going to say or even yell at me for doing such a thing, but I need some help with him. I worry so much about him eating since he won't eat unless I play with him. He literally brings me the ball or a toy. I give him multiple vitamins and a hip/joint vitamin to encourage him to eat and usually it does. But it is the only way I can get him to eat, since it gives him an appetite. Anyways, I need some major help here and encouragement. Is it bad to give him such a buffet~? It's not even a 1/4 cup with the tiny scooper of food that I am giving him.

Most of us have gone through what you are going through. Yorkies can be really finicky and they go through a period much like a human child, where their appetite decreases, and if not careful you can create a super finicky eater. You have to remember if he's hungry he will eat. Obviously, you want to make a change if the food is disagreeing with him, but changing foods every time he's bored, might not be a good idea. They say most dogs won't overeat on kibble, they'll eat just enough to satisfy themselves, and then they'll stop. This is not a bad thing, it will help them control their weight, however if you present them with tastier and tastier food, they will continue to eat, even though they aren't really hungry. Find a food you believe is right for him, and put it out twice a day. Leave it for 20 minutes and take it away. In a period of 24 hours, they should start eating as long as you have given them any other treats. The diet forum can be really helpful if you have a dog with special needs, but the truth is most dogs will do well on most food out there, and there really has been shown to be no difference, unless you are getting a really bad food. So there are lots of choices, but in a way that makes it so difficult because we all think there's a "best" food, and just like for humans, there's no one best food. Lots of foods are good. Once they reach about 6 months, they've stopped most of their growing, and don't need much food to maintain their weight.

I appreciate your kind post, Nancy. I have changed his food numerous of times, but not on a daily basis or monthly. It's been like perhaps 3-6 months and/or 1/2-3/4 bag give or take. I do give him treats but not many and not just to give to him. After I groom him in the am, he gets a dental treat. When we play ball or do agility, he gets treats in small tiny portions. Sometimes when I have to be gone for longer than normal in the daytime, I'll leave him a bone. I do have numerous of treats since he's picky and doesn't want all treats I have at times. Anyways, thanks for your information and being kind to me :)

One more thing, I saw he was looking for something to eat on the carpet I put his food at (it's after midnight here), so I thought I would try just a scoop of the chicken. What do ya know, he's eating it. Now I guess my buffet meals have a winner. He didn't eat much I see, but at least I know what he likes.

I made the HUGE mistake of changing Schmuckles food every time he stopped eating it. Boy I went through all the top quality foods and still nothin. I'd finally get him on something he liked and he stopped at the 5 lb mark. I swear to you! I was going nuts. Acana fish seems to be his favorite (Even thou I tried it before). Try better quality food. Trust me when he is hungry he will eat. Even if it means he misses a meal it will NOT kill him.

i feed my dogs blue it took them a while to like the lifebits that were in the mix. it is common so dont worry about it. he will eventually eat the life bits and love it!

Seriously, I really understand what you're going through. You're his mommy and want to give him proper nutrition and something he enjoys. I try to remember what ladyjane said about dogs coming to rescue, she uses one food for all and if their finicky too bad, within a day or so, they become unfinicky! My point is that sometimes we try so hard it backfires. Best of luck!

Since you are keeping his kibble for so long, are you freezing it? Kibble can get stale over time and lose its nutritional value. It should always be kept in its original bag and not kept for more than a month unless it is frozen.

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Our dogs aren't so crazy about the life bits in the Blue Buffalo either. They eat it ok. Had good luck with Nature's Variety. Right now I'm using Wellness Super 5 Mix. I tend to switch foods periodically for some rotation and variety. Oh, and Ladymom is right, kibble can go bad. It should never be stored more than 60 days AT THE MOST. I tend to agree with her suggestion of 30 days. Buy smaller bags or freeze some of it as she suggested.