Help Needed: Confused & Not Happy

[Maximo]

Don't be discouraged. Britster has a big heart and is passionate about the topic of dog food. I'm quite sure she wants to help you and did not intend her post as an attack.

May I ask why you are continuing with Blue Buffalo products?

I agree with Debra's great advice about how to overcome picky eating.

My younger boy has a sensitive system and he does really well on Go! Grain Free Endurance formula. It's tasty stuff.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by veggienut

Thanks to all with the kind replies. I don't know what else to say, but probably not much else since some people don't appreciate me posting questions (Britster). I might as well give up this board if people like that seem to attack me here~!

Woah! Wasn't attacking you -- I was simply linking you back to some of your threads where you've asked the same/similar questions before. You've gotten a ton of great answers. I'm not sure what else we can give you. I love YT because of the fact that everyone is so helpful and willing to answer questions, myself included, no need to give up this board? I think you're taking it way too personal.

[mscat]

Originally Posted by Britster

Woah! Wasn't attacking you -- I was simply linking you back to some of your threads where you've asked the same/similar questions before. You've gotten a ton of great answers. I'm not sure what else we can give you. I love YT because of the fact that everyone is so helpful and willing to answer questions, myself included, no need to give up this board? I think you're taking it way too personal.

[Shelby&Seymour]

We have tried several types of food.... started out with Royal Canin... although they LOVED it, Shelbs & Seymour were getting a bit "chunky" due to the corn that was in it. They didn't have any allergy issues with it, but we decided to switch to Blue Buffalo. They LOVE Blue and did well on it.... we gave the same amount of food but they started to maintain a better weight on it. Used Blue for a long time, but had to make a 45 minute drive to purchase it.... which was kind of a pain when we were getting low and had to make the drive just for dogfood (but we did). Then my groomers started carrying Innova. After checking the ingredients, we decided to start using it. They LOVE it. It is nice that we can purchase it locally and it is a pretty good food. There was a change in the manufacturer, but so far no changed in the food.... and one of the groomers keeps a very close eye on it for any changes... as she uses it for her dogs also.... I am glad that she is picky and does her homework. She is very good at sharing the info that she has and will let me know if she feels that there is need for a change. (She used to feed Merricks food.... but made a change because she felt Innova was a bit better).
I really think it depends on the dogs..... If there are no allergies and no weight issues.... why not use Royal Canin? It isn't a bad food and there are so many that are much worse.
Happy New Year... you Yorkie-crazy people!

[Ellie May]

Pick one food and stick with it. If he is having GI issues, then it may need to be an rx food. I'm not into forcing dogs to eat something they don't like, but imo way too many foods have been tried and that in itself could have enhanced this issue. How about a canned rx diet? One food that he at least shows some interest in - then stick wth it. If he holds out for too long, then the vet needs to be involved.

[Islandcanine]

Wow. I would like to add as well that lately I have used cottage cheese on top of my dogs food so that she will eat it.
Works great! Gives her added calcium too.

I have the trouble with getting her to eat a decent kibble which I free feed her (I cook for her)

I dislike the wheat and corn gluten in the Royal Canin. I feel that my girl was getting allergies and that those could of been the culprit. I love my dog and did the Royal Canin to begin with because I thought it was one of the best choices. Since I have learned that there are some fillers that could be causing her some problems. No matter what, she always goes back to her Royal Canin. I just wish I could get her on something else. She did the Blue Buffalo for awhile but stopped after three days. I freeze the canned Blue Buffalo in ice cube trays, then wrap individually. Sometimes when she appears not interested in her meal I will carve some off and toss it in. She eats it up!
No problems. In the beginning however, the Blue Buffalo wet was giving her diarrhea Not any more. Not problems for the past year. I don't give it too her that often though. It makes for a nice diversion for her and is what I feel is a great blend of foods.
It can make us crazy trying to find the perfect food for our loved ones. I keep at it, insistent to find the healthiest dry food that I can find. No fillers, no sunthetic preservatives, no wheat or corn anything and no un named animal by product or meal.
Then find one that she will eat!! No wonder I cook for her. Much easier, one would think.
I would like her on the EVO but again, the protein seems high.
Not sure where to turn either. I just stay at it, hours, days, weeks of reading and talking with others. I will find something. Eventually. Until then the majority of her meal is home made of 40% protien 30% Vegetable 30% grain.

[princessizzy]

Ok maybe you need to start from square 1 again.. But since he has tummy trouble I would try L.I.D food from Natural Balance... It has one simple protien and 1 simple carb.. grain free... they even have it in wet food too.. try i kind they he has never had... maybe like the one with Sweet potato & Bison or the Sweet potato and Venison... Don't give any treats.. just offer him food... sooner or later he will eat it

[kjc]

Hi. Did your vet do any bloodwork for the nausea/ vomiting/lack of appetitie? How old is your little one? Has he ever been BAT tested? Seems to me you've tried just about everything out there... maybe the problem isn't so much the food but could be something going on with him. Just a couple things to consider also: I keep mine on Probiotics/digestive enzymes to help their digestion and to head off any temporary/intermittant problems... And mine eat a lot better after a walk throught the neighborhood...

[Islandcanine]

kjc; may I ask what brand of digestive enzymes that you use?
Roxy is on Pro Biotics that I sprinkle on her food once a day.
I do cook for her and am concerned that I may need to add some digestive enzymes, short of giving her nuts and seeds as well as fresh raw vegetables to snack on.
I have also added a bit of calcium by way of cottage cheese which she really likes.
When it comes to digestive enzymes, I see several choices locally but since I know nothing about this, yet.. I haven't introduced any yet.
I would be interested in reading what brand you use and why you chose that one over any other.
All input from other members who use digestive enzymes would be much appreciated.
Knowledge Rules and I am rather ignorant to this topic at this time.

Originally Posted by kjc

Hi. Did your vet do any bloodwork for the nausea/ vomiting/lack of appetitie? How old is your little one? Has he ever been BAT tested? Seems to me you've tried just about everything out there... maybe the problem isn't so much the food but could be something going on with him. Just a couple things to consider also: I keep mine on Probiotics/digestive enzymes to help their digestion and to head off any temporary/intermittant problems... And mine eat a lot better after a walk throught the neighborhood...