Very Picky Eater- HELP!

Hi,
We have a 1 year old Yellow Lab/Pointer Mix.
She is the pickiest eater in the entire world.
She was on wet food when we first got her last June..and our
vet suggested switching her to dry foor- esp. Lamb & Rice b/c she had
diareahha and was on meds. They didn't know why she had it, maybe from traveling a lot- she was from a Tennessee Kill shelter.....and traveled to NY.
ANYWAY_ I tried her on Nutro Lamb & Rice....I tried her on Purina 1, I tried kibble -n- bits....and now I have tried Alpo. She loves loves loves Alpo (Lamb & Rice). Is this OK? Do you guys usually use this? I am just curious if this is healthy for her?? Her belly seems to be OK handling it. She gobbles it all up 1-2-3.
Also...How many times a day should I feed her, one or 2??
My Mom says 1...I have been doing 2 x's a day- maybe that's why she doesn't eat so much??
She is a year old, about 50 lbs.
PLease write back. Thanks for your help!!!

 

Alpo isn't a very good brand of food. Has alot of fillers. you might want to try something like Maximum Nutrition.

Also feeding 2x's a day is a good idea.

 

Some people only feed once, but I like to feed twice a day. I think the dogs enjoy it, too.

Alpo isn't a very good food. Look for foods without corn, and where the first few ingredients are some kind of meat or meal, with the animal it comes from specified! (i.e. chicken or chicken meal, lamb or lamb meal, etc) Natural Balance or Nutro Ultra are a couple foods to look for.

If your dog is otherwise healthy, I would just do this. Choose a quality food. Place it in the bowl and put the bowl on the floor. In half an hour, pick up the bowl. At the next scheduled feeding time, put it back down again. After a half hour, pick it back up. Repeat.

Your dog should learn that if she is hungry and wants to eat, she'd better eat whatever is in that bowl while it is on the ground. It sounds mean, but dogs work on cause and effect. They understand things like "eat or the bowl goes away."

Now, if she doesn't eat in a day or two, I would re-evaluate.

 

You could try mixing can food in with the dry food.

 

I was going to suggest mixing some canned food in with dry too. I wouldn't feed Alpo either. I just put my dogs back on Natural Balance and added Canidae canned. That stuff smells good too!

 

HI,
I have tried to put the food down for a half hour- and pick it up again until next feeding. I did that for a few days. She would not eat. Maybe a nibble here & there- but certainly not enough to make her full. That makes me nervous.
I had her on NUTRO lamb & Rice dry...and I tried mixing it with the wet can of Lamb & Rice. She would lick it and eat a few pieces. That was it. With this ALPO Lamb & Rice, she gobbles it all up- licks the bowl clean...and sticks her nose back in whenever she passes by- to see if there is any more. I dind't think ALPO was teh "best" dog food....but right now- its the ONLY one she eats & loves.
I dunno.....I am up for suggestions. But she really likes a food with a Gravy (wet) type- like the ALPO. (I even tried put the chicken flavored IAMS gravy sauce in with her dry food.....She didn't care for it either.)
She is a picky one.
I just want her to eat & like the food. She is 100% healthy and at a good weight (last time we weighed her at the Vet she was 50lbs.)
So.....??? I dunno......Write back. THANKS!!

 

I have sprinkled a little garlic powder on the kibble and added some warm water to make a little "gravy". The dog loved it! It took about a week to wean off the gravy and another couple of days to quit the garlic.

I still spice up the kibble with a little garlic powder now and then as a special treat.

 

I've give my Buffy Eukanuba dry only. She doesn't always eat when I put her food down . I have resorted to leaving the food down all day (who trained who?). She eats here and there and is healthy at last checkup.

 

I love the adding garlic powder idea! I do that too!
It works well.
I also use another trick. I sprinkle instant potatoes onto their dry dog food. I don't mix wet dog food any more because my dogs don't need the x-tra calories. So this is just enough to get them to eat their low fat dry and them thinking that they are getting a gormet meal!
I use (just a little tiny bit of instant potatoes and mix it with warm water and a small sprinkle of of garlic) powder)
The dogs go crazy and eat every drop!
Sue

 

MyPetTherapyDog, I am confused about the canned food and I've been meaning to ask someone about it. It has much less fat and protein than dry, but you're saying it has more calories? I have been wondering about that. I've just recently started adding it.

BTW my dogs will eat ANYTHING, but they really don't care for the IAMS gravy stuff.

 

my Molly is a very picky eater.
I've been feeding her Nutro canned mixed with Nutro kibble and she eats it only after she's had some good quality exercise. But she has only gained 6 pounds since the end of January. She is very physically active so she needs more calories.
Her foster mom is a fanatic about dog food and she fed Innova (which I simply can't afford around here) and a home cooked stew.
So for 6 months Molly was fed that.
I did get Innova samples and that kibble she ate...but it's like $40 for a 15 lb. bag here. Ouch
So I'm giving her canned food only - the Nutro Natural. She's eating it fine.
I give her kibble in her Kong with apples. That's the only way I can get her to eat the kibble.
The wet food is okay (according to her foster mom who does tons of dog food research) it's simply more expensive.
Your pup probably likes Alpo cause it's basically junk food and we all know how we mammals like our junk food. Give me a choice of a whoopie pie or a salad and I'm not choosing the salad LOL

 

I personally will not feed Alpo.
I posted what I feed my dogs in another post. I use Iam's weight loss. I know there are much better brands out there but it is working very well for us and I do supplement w/ salmon, veggies & Cod liver oil.
Not wishing to debate my feeding , but I mix veggies and salmon into my dogs food.
I was told not to use canned due to the extra calories it would give my dogs that the dry mix was better.
This is because all of my dogs were overweight. Probably due to way to many training treats and giving them a can a day along with their dry.
I was overfeeding!!!
I had to cut down way down!!!
Now,
If I do use canned I only use a few tablespoons of it mixed in but lately, (for quite a while now) I substitute the veggies instead of using canned food.
It works well for all of my dogs.

My daughter feeds her golden Nutro max and he is doing great on it.

What I would suggest for you is try buying a higher quality dog food. Add your alpo to the new mix and gradually wean the dog off the Alpo. Try the garlic trick and maybe add a little instant potatoes or a few tablespoons of canned food.

Here is some info about dog food in general.

What Should I Feed My Dog


Ron Hines DVM PhD 10/19/04 Dog foods come in many forms. Canned dog food is the most palatable. Canned dog food also puts weight on a dog fastest. Dog food should meet N.R.C. guidlines. The nutrient requirements of dogs is well understood. Dog food can be fed free choice to most dogs. Some dogs feed dog food free choice gain too much weight. Dog food is slightly less caloric than cat food. Dogs that eat home made dog food or table scraps suffer from a number of food-related diseases. Dog food fed dry is the least labor-intensive method. Dog food 's added colors are meant to please the dog 's owners. Cat food can be given to dogs but dog food is not satisfactory for cats.


Dogs have evolved from carnivorous meat eaters into omnivores capable of digesting both animal and plant nutrients. They are no longer the same as their close relatives, the wolves, who are strict carnivores living on meat alone. Although they may prefer meat-based foods dogs can survive on vegetable proteins as long as other nutrients are added.


Good nutrition and a balanced diet are essential for your pet’s health. People often ask me what they should feed their dogs. Over the years, I have made some observations on the health of dogs fed an enormous variety of diets. It’s amazing how well they do on such varied entrees. Here are some of my conclusions.


About Feeding Your Dog:


What and when you feed your dog early in life will shape its preferences when it is older. This applies to time of day, odor, texture, taste and meal temperature. Up to fifty percent of an adult dogs diet can come from carbohydrates such as grain. Water should be available to your pet at all times – especially during heavy exercise to prevent dehydration and overheating. Adult dogs do well on just one or two feedings a day but puppies need to eat more frequently.


Canned, Dry or Homemade Food:

Recipes for homemade diets that are nutritionally balanced are given in another article in this series. Commercial dog foods are available in three forms: canned dry and semi moist. I do not recommend semi-moist dog food be cause of the large amounts of additives in it. More dry food is sold than any other type. Dry foods contain about 90% dry matter and 10% water. They are a blended mixture of grains, meat and meat by-products, fats, mineral and vitamins. Canned dog food contains 68-78% water and 22-32% dry matter.

Given their choice, most dogs prefer canned diets. The aroma, flavor and palatability of dry diets do not match that of canned. Which ever you buy, be sure the label says that the diet meets the National Research Council’s guidelines on canine nutrition and is certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Over the years I have found that dogs fed dry diets have less tartar build up on their teeth and less gum disease surrounding the teeth. They also have less obesity problems. With time, gum inflammation associated with canned diets causes the tissues surrounding the teeth to recede and the teeth to loosen. Also with time, bacteria moving through the blood stream from infected gums cause damage to the kidneys and liver. Dry dog foods have greater caloric density – that is they are richer. This is because canned food contains about 75% water.

I never see nutritional diseases in dogs fed commercial canned or dry dog foods. I do, however see them in dogs fed primarily table scraps. Feeding a hamburger and rice mixture or table foods can induce a calcium deficiency and secondary over activity of the parathyroid glands located in the neck region (hyperparathyroidism). Feeding a
Liver-based diet can induce vitamin A toxicity. Many homemade diets contain excess protein and phosphorus but are deficient in calories, calcium, vitamins and microminerals your pet needs.

How Much To Feed Your Dog:

Individual dogs vary greatly in the amount of food necessary for optimal weight and health. Active breeds such as Brittany spaniels have a much higher metabolic rate than more placid breeds. Many adult dogs I see are overweight. Overweight dogs become flattened with fat over their loin or lumbar region but almost never on their legs. Growing dogs and puppies require considerably more food per pound body weight to thrive than adults or senior pets do. Most dry dog chows give approximate feeding amounts on their labels. The following chart is an estimate of how much to feed an adult dog each day when using a name brand dry dog chow that contains 21% protein, 5% oil, 2.5% fiber and 8% ash:

Breed Type Approximate Weight of Dog Amount of Food To Feed
Toys: Toy Poodle, Miniature Dachshund, Pekinese, Yorkshire Terrier, etc. Up to 11 pounds 3.0-5.0 ounces
Small: Beagle, Jack Russell, Cavalier King Charles, etc 11-22 pounds 3.9-6.0 ounces
Medium: Basset Hound, Bull Terrier, Springer & Brittany Spaniel, etc. 22-55 pounds 10.0-12.0 ounces
Large: Labrador/Goldern Retriever, German Shepherd, Boxer, etc. 55-77 pounds 16.0-18.2 ounces
Giant: Great Dane, Pyrenees, St. Bernard, etc. 77 pounds and Over 24.3-30.4 ounces

Nutrient Requirements of Dogs:

There are ten essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein, that dogs cannot manufacture on their own. Studies have shown that dogs can tell when their food lacks a single amino acid and will avoid such a meal. One amino acid, taurine, is sometimes deficient in dry dog chows. Although dogs can synthesize taurine from cysteine or methionine diets composed chiefly of lamb and rice seem to prevent this process. This may be due to the action of rice bran in increasing the body’s loss of taurine through the intestine. Dogs lacking taurine are susceptible to a form of heart enlargement called dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM.


Although high fiber diets are not natural for dogs, some dietary fiber is important for gastrointestinal motility. Diets rich in dietary fiber can also aid in weight loss. Too much fiber can prevent the absorption of vitamins and minerals and lead to diarrhea.

Minerals:


There are twelve minerals that are essential for dogs. One of these, calcium, is essential for the formation of bone and teeth and as a signal chemical between nerve cells. Puppies that do not receive sufficient calcium have pinkish, translucent teeth a bow-legged stance and knobby painful joints. Partial bone fractures in these puppies are common. Most of these puppies were the offspring of nutritionally deprived mothers. Others received a diet that was primarily meat and bread. Meat is low in calcium and high in phosphorus. High phosphorus interferes with the absorption of the little calcium that meat contains. Older dogs on low calcium high phosphorus diets also suffer from tooth and bone problems. The disease caused by a low calcium diet is called rickets.
Magnesium is important for muscle and nerve cell activity as well as a portion of the mineral structure of bone and teeth. Dogs deficient in magnesium have reduced weight gain, as well as motility problems later in life.
Dogs are remarkably adaptable to a wide range of ingredients, texture, and form in terms of what they will eat. Though many dogs prefer animal-based protein, they can thrive on a supplemented vegetarian diet. Regardless of whether the protein comes from plant or animal sources, normal adult dogs should get about 10 percent of their total calories from protein. Older dogs appear to require as much as fifty percent more protein to maintain their protein reserves.


Feeding:


Dogs eat larger, less frequent meals than cats do. It is OK to feed your adult dog once or twice a day. Puppies, however, need more frequent feedings. Most owners allow their pets to eat as much as they desire. This is fine unless the dog gains excessive weight.

Food Quality:


Dog foods differ primarily in their source of protein. Generic dog foods use less expensive sources of protein. Because of this, the quality of protein in generic and house brand foods is poorer. Do not be led astray by considering only the percent protein. Percent protein tells nothing about the quality and digestibility of the product. Excluding premium, niche and specialty brands sold through pet shops, the quality of dog foods is reflected directly in the price you pay.


Fiber:

Fiber in the diet is good for overall gastrointestinal health and may help some dogs keep their weight down. The diet of normal adult dogs should contain between 2.5 and 4.5 percent fiber. However, the fiber content of some "diet" dog foods is between nine and 10 percent. This may allow the dog to feel full without consuming too many calories for effective weight control. Diets high in fiber also may help in the management of blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and the prevention of such disorders as intestinal diverticulosis and diabetes.
Too much fiber in the diet can interfere with the digestion of other important nutrients in the food and result in loose stools, frequent defecation, and reduced palatability of the dog food. Generally, foods low in starch content, such as wheat and oat bran and barley products, are high in fiber. Conversely, dog food ingredients high in starch, including rice and dried potatoes, and corn have less fiber.

Overweight Dogs:


The simplest way to reduce overweight dogs is to feed smaller amounts on the same feeding schedule. Some dog owners offer less tasty food or allow less time to eat. Others feed several meals of bulky vegetables such as cooked carrots or cabbage to their pets. Another option is to feed one of the many low-calorie dog foods on the market. It's also important to remember to keep your dog from sampling another pet’s food and to refrain from feeding table foods as treats.


About Your Pets' Energy Needs:


Normal active adult dogs that weigh about thirty-five pounds need to eat about 1000 kilocalories a day. In most dog foods, these calories are furnished in the form of cereals, legumes and other plant products. Sick or injured dogs can require double this amount of calories. Young puppies need about twice as many calories per pound of body weight as adult dogs of the same breed. The best time to begin feeding a puppy dog food is at four weeks of age. Mother dogs that are producing milk need as much as four times the calories of non-nursing dogs. Older and lazy dogs will do fine on twenty percent less calories.


Vitamins:

Vitamins are organic compounds that take part in a wide range of metabolic activities. Dogs require vitamins in their food at low concentrations. First noticed in dogs some 75 years ago, vitamin deficiencies can lead to widely ranging clinical abnormalities that reflect the diversity of their metabolic roles. Some vitamins, like vitamin A, are not only essential in small doses, but also toxic in excess amounts. Vitamin A is important for good vision, and skin and mucous membrane structure. A lack of sufficient vitamin A in the dog’s diet leads to eye and skin problems and increased susceptibility to infection. Vitamin D is also bones or rickets. Vitamin E protects the body against damage due to oxidation and free radials. Besides long term aging effects, lack of vitamin E results in poor coat condition.

 

:?: Can you believe that my dog loved the ALPO for a day or 2...and now won't touch it. :?: I dunno what else to do.
I went back to her dry food (a scoop of that) with the IAMS lamb & rice gravy packet...she ate that last night. But not this morning.
My brother said to try the Eukanba Dry food...he said his picky dog likes that. So...maybe I will try it. I know she is active, and is healthy and at a great weight....I just don't like that she is soooo soooo picky and only eats when she wants- or is desperate.
My Mom says she will eat when she is hungry- that maybe a 1- 2 cup serving is enough at dinner and she is not hungry in the morning.
I dunno----
Any other ideas?? Shoudl I just keep trying with different dry foods?
I am sure there are a few I didn't try, LOL!
(Ohh, I did try a sample size bag of that INNOVO, and my dog didn't care for it. I guess with the price of it- I should be thankful.)
Thanks- :y_the_best:

 

I think your dog will eventually eat when hungry. Unless their is a medical reason for your dog not to be eatting? Was anything medical ruled out?
If its not medical than I guess I would now say pick an overall decent brand of food, leave it down for a half hour, pick it up at that point, and she will learn to eat when she gets the food or else food will not be availalble for the rest of the day!
She will quickly catch on trust us!
Sue


Here is another article for you that may help.

HELP! My Pet Refuses to Eat.

Your dog or cat approaches its feeding dish, sniffs and walks away with disdain. Your pet likes a particular pet food one day and refuses to eat it the next. You give in and change your pet's diet which may reinforce your pet's finicky ways. A strategy for winning the battle of mealtime wills combines a proper feeding program and strict monitoring of your pet's feeding habits.

If you have a problem eater, use the following checklist to help you determine why your pet is refusing to eat or experiencing digestive upsets.

Do you change pet foods frequently?

Yes No

If you answered yes, chances are you have identified the problem. Frequent diet changes can create a finicky eater. The pet becomes a "holdout" to see what will be offered next. When you find a nutritious diet your pet enjoys eating, stay with it.

Do you believe that pets, like people, need variety in their diet?

Yes No

If you answered yes, keep in mind that a pet demands as much variety as it has come to expect. Constant diet changes, as well as feeding food from the table, can create a finicky eater. Variety in the diet of humans is important to ensure the consumption of nutritionally balanced meals. Dogs and cats can get the proper balance of all the nutrients they need when they are fed a high quality nutritionally complete and balanced dog or cat food appropriate for their life style.

Are you aware of an indulgent family member who quietly slips the pet treats and food from the table?

Yes No

If you answered no or better check it out, take a second look at your family members. A sensible feeding program can be undone by one family member who pampers a pet by feeding goodies and food from the table when no one is looking. The results are not beneficial to the pet. It may become a finicky eater or show signs of becoming obese. (Obesity is the number one nutritional problem for dogs and cats). Food surreptitiously fed can also upset the nutritional balance of a high quality pet food.

A behavior problem may also be in the making as a result of feeding food from the table and/or frequent diet changes. The pet may develop the annoying habit of begging and may even steal food from the table.

Does your pet raid garbage cans without your knowledge

Yes No

If you answered yes, this may be the underlying cause of the pet's refusal to eat and/or digestive upsets. Some pets, regardless of how well they are fed by their owners, raid garbage cans. This is a dangerous practice which can result in digestive upsets or the pet's consuming contaminated food or toxic chemicals.

If you are not sure, check out the garbage cans in your yard. Be certain they have tight-fitting lids.

For their own protection and in order to be a good pet neighbor, pets should not be allowed to roam in neighbors' yards.

Do you make a diet change abruptly?

Yes No

If you answered yes, be aware that sudden diet changes can be the cause of digestive upsets. If it is necessary to change a pet's diet, it should be done gradually over a seven to 10 day period. Add a small amount of the new diet to the food currently being fed. Each day increase the amount of the new diet while decreasing the amount of the current food. This gradual change will help prevent diarrhea and/or vomiting which may occur when sudden changes in a pet's diet are made.

Does your dog seem eager to eat and then either eats reluctantly or refuses to eat for a few days?

Yes No

If you answered yes, your dog's refusal to eat can be its own attempt to control calorie intake. Dogs love to please people. When a dog learns that eating pleases its owner, it soon eats to please. Sometimes words of praise and affection accompanying food and treats reinforce the dog's eat-to-please behavior. Overeating can cause a dog, like a human, to get an uncomfortable feeling. It makes its own attempt to alleviate the discomfort as it controls its food intake. Chronic overeating can lead to obesity. Avoiding excessive treats and food from the table and making feeding routine rather than a special occasion helps a dog stay with its regular diet and feel comfortable.

Does your dog eat less during hot weather?

Yes No

If your answer is yes, be assured that it is not unusual for a dog's food consumption to decrease during hot summer months. Studies show that, as a general rule, dogs need about 7.5 percent fewer calories with each 10 degree rise in ambient temperature.


Choosing a Pet Food

A pet food should not only be appetizing, it should also provide the proper balance of nutrients dogs and cats require in a highly digestible form. To be certain that the nutrients in a pet food are available to and utilized by your pet, look for a statement on the label indicating that the product has undergone feeding trials in accordance with the protocol established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Find a complete and balanced food appropriate for your pet and stay with that diet.