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by Kalibeck on 22 October 2009 - 17:10
My girl Ansgar has been a picky eater since she had surgery for an intersusseption 1 year ago. She was fed boiled chicken & rice immediately after surgery, & she has never forgotten that. And since then, that's the only thing she will eat with any enthusiasm. I feed Evo red meat large bites, which everyone else gobbles down, but she wil nibble daintily at it for a few moments, then cover her dish with whatever she can find, & look at us like....'saving it for later'.... ! We have tried mixing Innova wet dog food with it, we have tried raw, we have tried crating & giving 5 minutes with the food & then removing it...she got so skinny I couldn't take it anymore...but she wouldn't budge...! She's a very smart, very stubborn little girl....I love her so much...but OMG...what a pain in the a$$ she is about food! Should I continue to fret over this? Or just stop worrying & accept that she's going to be petite (she is just with in the standard but leggy-looks like a coyote)? She is very energetic, coat looks good.....what to do?? I've tried spiking her food with yoghurt(hates it), hard boiled eggs(takes 1 or 2 nibbles & hides it or covers it), olive oil, tuna (likes that!), salmon (also likes, but won't eat anything else once she gets that); yes, I know, SPOILED! Right now, my husband is sitting next to her, saying "Eat! Eat!" to her...it's pathetic. And she plays it to the max, takes a bite, then leans in to him, rolls her eyes back at him & won't takes another bite until he rubs her ears or whatever....& I swear to God, she is laughing at him. And the poor guy gets so worried I've seen him come away from her, after crating her, with tears in his eyes. Between the 2 of them, I'm at my wits end! Help! jackie harris (I have to go to work, but I'll be back to check in later tonight, thanks!)
by GSDtravels on 22 October 2009 - 19:10
Jackie, I feel your pain, LOL. When I got Drake, he scarfed food down like there wasn't going to be any more coming. By the time he was 4 months, he got the idea that his bowl was his and he would wait, tempting the others. I always had to have another dog around for him to eat. My husband (at the time) was always adding things to his food to entice him, never thought he was eating enough. I argued about it but got nowhere, he was making him a picky eater. I wanted to pick his dish up and not feed him until the next meal but he wouldn't have it. When I left with only Drake, he'd look at his food and walk away, made me crazy. Of course, losing his pack was no help and I'm sure some of it was due to depression. So, while on the road I started giving him soft packed tuna or salmon, same results. When he lost more than 10 lbs., (actually he was about 5 overweight IMO, so I figured he was 5 under), I started to worry. I then found Blue Buffalo canned, mixed it with the kibble and he ate it all most of the time!
Then, I decided raw was the way to go and a friend wanted a better diet for her beagle. She was too afraid of raw so we compromised and are making our own food. He is also getting some raw but the main meal is homemade, he has discovered he loves to eat! He bats his dish around hours before mealtime, his coat is shiny, eyes are bright, energy level up. He's a happy boy! I still would like to go completely raw and plan to in the near future, but in the meantime, I know exactly what he's getting, he's eating everything and he seems happy and healthy. So, if you'd like a cooked recipe, let me know and I'll give you a rundown of possible ingredients, mostly meat (90%) with some fruits and veggies, no grain.
Then, I decided raw was the way to go and a friend wanted a better diet for her beagle. She was too afraid of raw so we compromised and are making our own food. He is also getting some raw but the main meal is homemade, he has discovered he loves to eat! He bats his dish around hours before mealtime, his coat is shiny, eyes are bright, energy level up. He's a happy boy! I still would like to go completely raw and plan to in the near future, but in the meantime, I know exactly what he's getting, he's eating everything and he seems happy and healthy. So, if you'd like a cooked recipe, let me know and I'll give you a rundown of possible ingredients, mostly meat (90%) with some fruits and veggies, no grain.
by snajper69 on 22 October 2009 - 19:10
Yeah I got an idea dont feed him. Any of my dogs taht have an issue with the food they get, they go through the same treatment. I lower the amount of food that they get, till they get hungry than keep them on the same food for a while, that will inrease hunger than I slowly build it up, till they get the idea that if you don't eat what I give you in 20 minutes of less you might not get anythign for next few days. Every since I been dealing with picky eaters that way they never complaint and always clean off their plates.
by Two Moons on 22 October 2009 - 20:10
Buy canned chicken broth and add it to her food.
Maybe feed her in seclusion, maybe she just doesn't like being watched.
Or since she is already spoiled feed her at supper time, just make an extra plate for her....LOL
Or, stick with boiled chiken and rice until she's sick of it.
I hope something works out.
Moons.
Maybe feed her in seclusion, maybe she just doesn't like being watched.
Or since she is already spoiled feed her at supper time, just make an extra plate for her....LOL
Or, stick with boiled chiken and rice until she's sick of it.
I hope something works out.
Moons.
by Vixen on 23 October 2009 - 01:10
Hello Jackie,
(Obviously, based on the fact that she has no health problems relating to eating), it appears that you already know that you and your husband have allowed feeding to become an issue. You recognise the problem and the reasons, but equally emotionally for you it is horrible to see your dog refusing to enjoy and eat up. So you are trapped in a corner!
Well, time to take a good deep breath and turn this situation around. Apart from the stress on yourselves, your dog will also pick-up on the anxiety and this is not helpful either!!
Firstly, remember your dog is not going to commit suicide and starve herself.
Perhaps you would like to feed her twice a day (at least you will feel that you are giving her the opportunity twice a day)
Would you consider adding a portion of raw minced tripe to the dry food and mix together? Most dogs cannot resist tripe. But no other variations.
Decide on your approximate feeding times (i.e. lunch-time and evening). Call her to her "Dinner", but try not to talk any further, (i.e. persuasive talk), it will probably come across to her like 'pretty please' and develop into a power tool. Then busy yourself in the Kitchen (if that is where you feed her) - ignoring her response to her bowl. This includes even if she gobbles it up - do not praise her - you don't want to appear grateful, just something you expect.
After 15 minutes, remove her bowl without a word. And act completely normally, whether she ate some or nothing.
Then nothing further to eat, no food or treats until the next meal, and repeat again. Adult dogs can with-hold from eating for longer than you think. But a healthy dog will eat. She may even have a small appetite.
Hope this is helpful to you,
Kindest Regards,
Vixen
(Obviously, based on the fact that she has no health problems relating to eating), it appears that you already know that you and your husband have allowed feeding to become an issue. You recognise the problem and the reasons, but equally emotionally for you it is horrible to see your dog refusing to enjoy and eat up. So you are trapped in a corner!
Well, time to take a good deep breath and turn this situation around. Apart from the stress on yourselves, your dog will also pick-up on the anxiety and this is not helpful either!!
Firstly, remember your dog is not going to commit suicide and starve herself.
Perhaps you would like to feed her twice a day (at least you will feel that you are giving her the opportunity twice a day)
Would you consider adding a portion of raw minced tripe to the dry food and mix together? Most dogs cannot resist tripe. But no other variations.
Decide on your approximate feeding times (i.e. lunch-time and evening). Call her to her "Dinner", but try not to talk any further, (i.e. persuasive talk), it will probably come across to her like 'pretty please' and develop into a power tool. Then busy yourself in the Kitchen (if that is where you feed her) - ignoring her response to her bowl. This includes even if she gobbles it up - do not praise her - you don't want to appear grateful, just something you expect.
After 15 minutes, remove her bowl without a word. And act completely normally, whether she ate some or nothing.
Then nothing further to eat, no food or treats until the next meal, and repeat again. Adult dogs can with-hold from eating for longer than you think. But a healthy dog will eat. She may even have a small appetite.
Hope this is helpful to you,
Kindest Regards,
Vixen
by Samba on 23 October 2009 - 02:10
My vet assured me dogs won't starve themselves. He said cats are capable of such behavior though.
I have used raw to wake up an appetite. Also have had to go to the eat it or loose your bowl method. Dogs eventually decided the meals were worth eating. I had a friend withhold meals and have her dog sit in his crate and watch the other dogs eat. He soon got with it but remains a bit picky.
It becmes a nightmare if you get caught in the spiral of trying to fix ever more appealing meals.
I have used raw to wake up an appetite. Also have had to go to the eat it or loose your bowl method. Dogs eventually decided the meals were worth eating. I had a friend withhold meals and have her dog sit in his crate and watch the other dogs eat. He soon got with it but remains a bit picky.
It becmes a nightmare if you get caught in the spiral of trying to fix ever more appealing meals.
by Two Moons on 23 October 2009 - 02:10
Wow,
Again Vixen.
Again Vixen.
by Vixen on 23 October 2009 - 03:10
Thank you Two Moons.
Kind Regards,
Vixen
Kind Regards,
Vixen
by steve1 on 23 October 2009 - 14:10
I Agree with Snaiper
A Dog will not go hungry for long Nor will any living creature, The problem is owners are too soft with there dogs and the Dog runs them,
When a Dog does not eat it is one of two things it is ILL or it is NOT hungry, So by adding little bits to its food to tempt it to eat is not a good practice andwill not help the dog or you the owner
Any animal i own eats its food right away Pigeons, Dogs, ME, if they mess about it is taken away but that never happens unless they are ill and they are never that to date
What the Dog is telling you the Owner is this I want what i want and you give it to me
Meaning the Dog is Pack Leader of you in that sense, Do yourself and the Dog a favour take its food away if it does not eat, Give the same Bowl back next feed No more added
If it leaves it then, Take it away until the next day give it nothing, then the next day give it fresh food but the same amount no more, If it eats it all up right away give it not another gram of food until the next meal then cut out one quarter of its feed. Now if it does not eat up the above then the Dog is not right and is ailing from something so let the Vet look at it
But if it is okay i guarantee it will eat, and providing you do not overfeed it again will continue to eat it up at a normal pace
Once it does, cut back on its food so it clears it up Immediately no 15 or 20 minutes to eat that is ridiculous, mine have as long as it takes to eat normally five minutes is long enough if a Dog is ready for its feed not another second
But then i never have any problems or have i had in 60 years of keeping dogs
Remember Dogs and humans Eat to Live only not the other way around
Steve1
A Dog will not go hungry for long Nor will any living creature, The problem is owners are too soft with there dogs and the Dog runs them,
When a Dog does not eat it is one of two things it is ILL or it is NOT hungry, So by adding little bits to its food to tempt it to eat is not a good practice andwill not help the dog or you the owner
Any animal i own eats its food right away Pigeons, Dogs, ME, if they mess about it is taken away but that never happens unless they are ill and they are never that to date
What the Dog is telling you the Owner is this I want what i want and you give it to me
Meaning the Dog is Pack Leader of you in that sense, Do yourself and the Dog a favour take its food away if it does not eat, Give the same Bowl back next feed No more added
If it leaves it then, Take it away until the next day give it nothing, then the next day give it fresh food but the same amount no more, If it eats it all up right away give it not another gram of food until the next meal then cut out one quarter of its feed. Now if it does not eat up the above then the Dog is not right and is ailing from something so let the Vet look at it
But if it is okay i guarantee it will eat, and providing you do not overfeed it again will continue to eat it up at a normal pace
Once it does, cut back on its food so it clears it up Immediately no 15 or 20 minutes to eat that is ridiculous, mine have as long as it takes to eat normally five minutes is long enough if a Dog is ready for its feed not another second
But then i never have any problems or have i had in 60 years of keeping dogs
Remember Dogs and humans Eat to Live only not the other way around
Steve1
by snajper69 on 23 October 2009 - 16:10
Vixen put it together best ;) with out sounding too barbaric like some of us ;) hahahaha
I will tell you my storry to put it in perspective better:
My wife had a picky eater GSD. After we married I told her that I won't tollerate her trying to fix the eating issue by adding all kind of crap the dogs wants in the food, she cried for week, that I am an ass that is trying to starve her dog lol. I asked only for one month nothing more, after 3 weeks the dog eat everything I gave her, no complaints, it's been going on for quite a while now, she looks better, she is more happy, and feeding is no longer a choir, my wife still thinks I am an asshole but for other reasons lol hahahaha
I will tell you my storry to put it in perspective better:
My wife had a picky eater GSD. After we married I told her that I won't tollerate her trying to fix the eating issue by adding all kind of crap the dogs wants in the food, she cried for week, that I am an ass that is trying to starve her dog lol. I asked only for one month nothing more, after 3 weeks the dog eat everything I gave her, no complaints, it's been going on for quite a while now, she looks better, she is more happy, and feeding is no longer a choir, my wife still thinks I am an asshole but for other reasons lol hahahaha
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