Picky Eater - Page 1

Hi all,

I have a 2 year old male GSD that is a picky eater. I am having trouble keeping weight on him as he could stand to gain 10-15 lbs...I have tried all sorts of high end kibble, grain free, etc. I have mixed his food with canned food, cottage cheese, yogurt, tripe, chicken, steak, etc. He will devour it initially, but then become disinterested after a week or two.  Any suggestions out there? 

Thanks,
tom

I had a picky eating female. I did the same thing that you did at first. Then apon the advice of a friend I stopped. What I would do is go back to JUST kibble. Pick a good kibble (grain free if possible) and stick with it. I wouldnt add all the other stuff that you have been adding. If the dog is hungry he will eat. I add hot water to my dogs food and a small teaspoon of canned food and that is it. What I would do is put the food down for 15 minutes in the morning and then pick it up whether he has eaten or not. Then wait until the evening and do the same thing. It may take him a few days for him to figure out he must eat when the food is down. The problem with adding all the "goodies" to the food is that he will learn to expect it. I have found that doing this actually makes them more picky.

What kibble have you tried?

Hope this helps.

Hi Tom  my dog was  terrible at eating since he was a pup at 7 weeks old when I bought him  just like you I tryed everything 1 day eat then the next 2 days nothing I was going mad trying to get him to eat when he was about 10 months old he did begin to eat a little better but was still so thin he is 2 years old now and putting on good body weight he has been on just plain mixer biscuit and fresh cooked beef he cant get enough of it  I go to the meat market and get 10 pounds that does him for 1 week he is looking good now  I know how you feel but hang in there he will eat sooner or later good luck

Thanks for the advice- I did try leaving the food down for 10 minutes and then removing it for a week or so, but did not find that method to be very effective. He was eating the minimum to survive. I have tried Taate of the Wild, Innova, Wellness, Blue Buffalo, Solid Gold, etc.

I had the same issue with my 11 months old female, especially after her first heat. I switched her over to 100% dry in the morning( Taste Of The Wild Bison) and dry with a little quality wet in the evening. She now finished all of her food, nd still wants more.  m

If the dog is otherwise healthy, with good skin, coat and eyes, and plenty of energy, I wouldn't worry.  Some dogs, especially at that age, are just thin.   If his ribs are showing, that's OK, if his hip bones are not covered with satisfactory layer of fat, then I would be concerned.  Maybe you can post a picture?

Thanks,

I forgot to mention Moose  now seems to prefer a food called Bil-Jac, kibble made primarily from real chicken. Anyone have luck with this food?

Just curious if you are feeding raw eggs?  Often, if raw eggs are fed frequently, they can affect the uptake of Biotin, which can cause a lack of B vitamins, thus causing the dog's appetite to decrease. This may not be the case, but is still useful imformation for someone out there!  :) 

Another option you might try is feeding RAW! I switched my dogs to raw, and they eat everything you give them.

I've never fed Bil-Jac, but I know some of the people who post here have.

Good luck!!

-Melanie
vom Felsenhof German Shepherds

No, never raw eggs-once in a while hard boiled yolks mixed in. I usually leave dry kibble out now in the am, then add cottage cheese or yogurt with chicken in the evening. He typically will eat 2-3 cups of kibble on a good day.
 
Raw not an option, I have young children and work shift work, so not practical.

He tested negative for EPI last year, I am hopeful he will fill out soon. I have not had him neutered for that reason, but plan to have that done this upcoming winter when he will be about 30 months old. 

jyl has got it right,no fussing,no tasty bits.just feed a good kibble,put it down for the dog,if he doesn't eat,lift it....straight away!try him again at his next normal feeding time,and do the same.hunger makes good sauce and focuses the mind.he'll soon cop on!
dog is smart,he knows that he'll get something fancy if he holds out(plus loads of attention trying to entice him to eat).take this from someone who used to have to spoonfeed a picky eater.its the only way.