Feedings

[CaliMomma]

What's the best way to feed Darla. The breeder had her on dry kibble and wet but her actions tell different. Her eating dry kibble is more one bite here and there never eating the whole kibble at once so more like a free feed. I also give her about 1/3 cup puppy wet food once a day. But when she wasn't eating the kibble I tried adding hot water to a small amount and she will eat it for about 2-3 mins and what she doesn't finish then she will go back to and nibble on once a day opposite of the wet puppy food and let her free feed on the dry kibble. But now her poops are different not so hard anymore. More looser. So what do I cut back on the wet puppy food or the wet kibble?

[lovespandp]

How old is she and what are you feeding her?

[CaliMomma]

Just turned 13 wks. Iams puppy food kibble and puppy wet for small breeds. When I got her she was in purine puppy large breed kibble I couldn't get her to eat it for nothing.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by CaliMomma

Just turned 13 wks. Iams puppy food kibble and puppy wet for small breeds. When I got her she was in purine puppy large breed kibble I couldn't get her to eat it for nothing.

Hm well you might want to look around for a better quality food. I dont personally like those brands, IMO you should stay away from corn, wheat and bi products. You can alway get some samples to see if your little one like the food before you buy it and even some offer 1 pound bags!

Peanut use to hardly eat, until I started him on the food he is now- he will lick his bowl clean!

In the meantime you can add some boiled chicken breast on her kibble see if that helps her eat..??

[lovespandp]

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...e-samples.html

You can read through this thread- it has a lot of feedback on dry- there has been lots of recalls so just make sure you check the company to see if they have had recalls.

[CaliMomma]

Thanks Deana. I tried baby food and that gave her nothing but runs when I mixed it. I got a sample of innova but they don't have wet food. Is wet really necessary in her diet? Possibly until she eats more dry kibble?

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by CaliMomma

Thanks Deana. I tried baby food and that gave her nothing but runs when I mixed it. I got a sample of innova but they don't have wet food. Is wet really necessary in her diet? Possibly until she eats more dry kibble?

Wet food is pretty much by choice. I personally dont use it- I cant find small enough cans, the cans I buy are too big and I end up throwing 80% of it away! It is more of a hassle for me. I will usually boil a chicken and top that on there- or his food Canine Caviar has this stuff called Synergy ( its like a dehydrated veggie mix) I can make how much I want just by soaking some in water- I will add that on his food a couple times a week.

I think for you right now find a dry food she likes and does well on, then you can look into wet foods or other options!

[lovespandp]

What baby food did you use? I use the organic baby food- never use any that has onions or garlic! I usually will use the bananas, green beans, sweet potato, carrots.. And its only like sweet potato and water are the only ingredients. Also just use a tad when you use it on the dry.

You can also make veggies and use that as a topper- I know members who use green beans, carrots, sweet potatos. Little pieces, small amounts.

[Maximo]

How much does she weigh? Overfeeding can cause loose stools. Also, when you add water to the kibble, don't leave it down too long. It will spoil quickly which can cause problems.

1/3 cup wet food plus kibble (how much?) sounds like a lot.

Is the wet food a complete and balanced diet? Many canned foods are not and meant to be a small supplement to kibble.

Why did the breeder have her on "large breed" puppy food. That is strange.

As for not eating much, I had to hand feed Max his entire first year. We played games and he did tricks for me. Now he is a chow hound.

You might try game puzzles or a Kong, or training exercises to encourage her to eat her kibble.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Wet food is pretty much by choice. I personally dont use it- I cant find small enough cans, the cans I buy are too big and I end up throwing 80% of it away! It is more of a hassle for me. I will usually boil a chicken and top that on there- or his food Canine Caviar has this stuff called Synergy ( its like a dehydrated veggie mix) I can make how much I want just by soaking some in water- I will add that on his food a couple times a week.

I think for you right now find a dry food she likes and does well on, then you can look into wet foods or other options!

I don't use canned foods either. If I want to add something to the kibble, I use fresh foods like steamed chicken.

Just make sure that the additions don't exceed 10 - 20% of your pup's diet, otherwise you upset the nutrient balance that dogs need.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Maximo

How much does she weigh? Overfeeding can cause loose stools. Also, when you add water to the kibble, don't leave it down too long. It will spoil quickly which can cause problems.

1/3 cup wet food plus kibble (how much?) sounds like a lot.

Is the wet food a complete and balanced diet? Many canned foods are not and meant to be a small supplement to kibble.

Why did the breeder have her on "large breed" puppy food. That is strange.

As for not eating much, I had to hand feed Max his entire first year. We played games and he did tricks for me. Now he is a chow hound.

You might try game puzzles or a Kong, or training exercises to encourage her to eat her kibble.

That is strange she had her on large breed.. Its probably big kibble as well and hard for her little mouth to chew- Peanut is 5 and has a hard time eating bigger kibble, He would starve if I fed him " large breed" LoL

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I don't use canned foods either. If I want to add something to the kibble, I use fresh foods like steamed chicken.

Just make sure that the additions don't exceed 10 - 20% of your pup's diet, otherwise you upset the nutrient balance that dogs need.

Yes, I personally never add a lot.. Maybe like a tablespoon, just enough to get a taste of something different, but not enough where he misses it and HAS to have it.

[Britster]

^ I'm the same. I use literally like less than a small spoonful of wet food and then will add a tiny bit of water and mix it around. It gives it JUST enough flavor, but not very much wet food.

Jax was very picky for the first year or so. His appetite got better after 2. He will now eat just kibble if it's his only option, but I like to mix something in for at least one meal (whether it's chicken, or canned food, or whatever). I like to use his dinner to sprinkle his dental powdered stuff in, as well any other supplement I might be giving him, etc.

[CaliMomma]

Do you give the spoonful of wet just once a day or twice?

[Britster]

Originally Posted by CaliMomma

Do you give the spoonful of wet just once a day or twice?

Well, it depends honestly. Sometimes I do two meals a day mixed with wet, sometimes just one. Keep in mind my boy is 17lbs though!