[cockapoolvr]

My 8 month cockapoo seemed to be getting tired of his food (Blue Buffalo). His attitude about eating was - so what. After 8 months of eating the same food, it seemed he got tired of it. He actually wouldn't eat unless we stood nearby, reminding him to eat. I even changed from Chicken to Lamb (same brand), but he wasn't excited.
I started boiling ground beef and adding it to his kibble, now he absolutely LOVES to eat. He jumps around while I'm preparing it, and gobbles it down immediately (I can even leave the room while he eats now) !!!
What do you think of supplementing his food with the beef?
I hate to change from Blue Buffalo, cause it seems to be so good for him.

[BoxMeIn21]

I wouldn't suppliment his food with Ground Beef - it's way too fatty for daily consumption. If you want to add something, try a tbls of plain non fat yogurt, it's good for them. Besides if you keep mixing in different things to intice him to eat, you are going to have a monster of a picky eater on your hands. Leave his food down for 20 minutes, if he doesn't eat it, pick it up and save it for his next meal. A healthy dog won't starve himself, so quit catering to him.
You need to change foods periodically - no one food has it all, and just like us humans, they have to get bored eating the same thing day in and day out.
Here is more information on why it's important to rotate foods.
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/changing_foods.htm

[briteday]

On Box's note of rotating food...what you might do is find a short list of premium foods that you could live with. Go to an independent retailer or farm store that carries these brands. They usually have free sample bags to try before you buy. (forget Petsmart or Petco, they won't have the free samples nor will they have a big selection of premium foods) Talk to the people there about what your dog is currently eating, his likes and dislikes, and they can probably set you up with a handful of brands that would suit both you and the dog. When I did this I walked out with a bag full of samples. I gave it a month of trying (I would offer 2 kibbles each day...in exactly the same kind of bowl so that the dog wasn't picking the bowl style over the food, and see which one she chose first. The next day I would eliminate the unchosen kibble from the previous day, offereing the chosen kibble plus one new one. After a few weeks I figured out the top three foods, all premium brands that I could live with as well, and rotated those foods)

I don't think it's unusual for a dog to be picky about their food. I have one that would walk past kibble meals for 3 meals in a row at times.

Another thing I do is fill an interactive ball with various kibble ( a good way to use up the dregs of those sample bags) and let her play with that when she needs a snack. My older dog needs to lose weight and is not interested in playing with the food ball. So it's a fun way for the younger dog to get snacks and have some fun in the process.

Besides yogurt my dogs also like an occasional spoonful of non-fat cottage cheese or applesauce with their food.

[lovemygreys]

Dogs are picky about their food <most of the time> b/c their human makes them that way. Now, if you don't mind prepping extra food for each meal, then knock yourself out - but you are CREATING a picky dog. Just be aware of that.

I also agree that ground beef is too high in fat to supplement kibble with. I only use it if I'm trying to fatten up a skinny dog. I also stay away from yogurt as many dogs are lactose intolerant.

[cockapoolvr]

Thank you for your advice.
I really appreciate your opinions.

[squirt1968]

I feed kibble and top it with heaping teaspoon of canned dog food and my dog gobbles it down and does not eat much if no topping. she has not gotten picky as I have continued with the same 2 foods

[Peachrocker]

Originally Posted by cockapoolvr

Thank you for your advice.
I really appreciate your opinions.

Hi I am a new member and have yet to introduce myself. I have a 4 month old frenchie and boy, she loves her food, all food any food. I don't know of any dogs that would refuse food unless they are sick. Picky ? I don't know about that either lol ! But yes, sick of the same food, i could understand. You wouldn't eat the same food morning and night for days and days would you?
I don't want to give you false information or wrong diet advice for your beloved pooch but here is what I feed my frenchie. Let me add that beforehand that she has never had any problems with new food, like soft stools, regurgitation etc. She has good firm stools and at 4 months, she poops after each meal regularly and has done so for the 2 months that I have had her.
Premium kibble is great, any brand that works for you and your pet.
I do that or substitute brown rice or cooked oatmeal.
I Always add the following for extra nutrition.
soft boiled eggs twice a week,
plain boiled chicken, pork, beef,or lamb. canned fish
liver, hearts, organ meats basically.
enough veggies..
a teaspoon of yogurt after every meanl, most kinds of fruit
raw carrots and celery to clean their teeth and breadth..
the list is almost endless.
Just boil enough for a week each time, 20 mins usually does it. store it in containers and add the portion for each meal. Chop up carrots and celery for a treat. I give it 1st thing in the morning too when I am still groggy and to help speed up the morning potty time. Always does it.

Sorry this is so long, But I did so much for research and thought I'd share it, I know there are many who like to feed just kibble for consistent potty training, timing, etc lots of real reasons.
But frenchies are known for sensitive stomach, delicate skin and all but the food I have fed has only improved her health and her coat and fur are just super shiny.
Thanks for reading..
Good luck.

[lovemygreys]

You wouldn't eat the same food morning and night for days and days would you?

Dogs are not people.

As an aside:
The vast majority of pets in this country range anywhere from fat to obese. Remember, if you supplement the kibble with "human" food, you have to feed less kibble to compensate.

Raw veggies or canned (no/low sodium) are good "low fat" additions. If you feed meat, go low fat like chicken or turkey breast.

[cockapoolvr]

Can the dog get sick (diarrhea, etc) from the canned vegies if I switch from carrots to peas to string beans, etc?
You know, they say that when you switch kibble you are supposed to do it slowly so they don't get sick. Adding canned (low sodium, absolutely) veggies are a good idea instead of beef, just wondering how his tummy would tolerate the changes. I thought beef was good because one time he actually was sick, and the vet told me to boil beef and rice for his bad tummy. He absolutely LOVED it. So I thought that would be a safe supplement.

[BoxMeIn21]

Beef is fine for a few meals, it just has too much fat in it to be fed everyday - large amounts of fat in a dogs diet can lead to nasty diseases like pancreatitis.

It really depends on your dog with regards to the canned veggies - they are pretty bland so it shouldn't cause too much upset.

[Dogmom07]

I have always supplemented my dog's dry food..yes I know I am spoiling them

I am careful what I give them. I switch between lean ground turkey or I add sweet potatoes and peas. When I don't have time to cook, I add a few tablespoons of Canidae.

[poodleholic]

My 8 month cockapoo seemed to be getting tired of his food (Blue Buffalo). His attitude about eating was - so what. After 8 months of eating the same food, it seemed he got tired of it. He actually wouldn't eat unless we stood nearby, reminding him to eat. I even changed from Chicken to Lamb (same brand), but he wasn't excited.

I change kibble about every 3 months (EVO, Natural Balance, Candidae).

I started boiling ground beef and adding it to his kibble, now he absolutely LOVES to eat. He jumps around while I'm preparing it, and gobbles it down immediately (I can even leave the room while he eats now) !!!
What do you think of supplementing his food with the beef?
I hate to change from Blue Buffalo, cause it seems to be so good for him.

Ground sirloin would be better, as the fat content is much lower. Try adding ground turkey, lamb, or chicken, poaching in water with a little garlic and a stalk of celery. Then use the stock to cook brown rice. Steam fresh vegetables (asparagus, green beans, kale, spinach, peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), and add to the brown rice and meat mixture. I make enough for a week, and place individual servings in freezer bags to take out to thaw the night before.

A little cottage cheese on top of the kibble is a good enticement, too, as is grating fresh parmesean cheese on the kibble. Plain active live cuture yogurt is good, poached or hard boiled eggs, sardines in olive oil, albacore, or baked sweet poato (plain, or with a little cinnamon & nutmeg). My dogs like green salads with shredded carrots, and a dressing made with plain yogurt seasoned with herbs. I also buy the Natural Balance food rolls which I slice and cube, or, grate over the dry kibble. That stuff is like doggie heroin! LOL I have yet to meet a dog who doesn't love it! (I currently have 3 foster dogs along with my own.)

I have (2) Standard Poodles, and recently adopted a little Shih Tzu I was fostering, the latter of whom is a very picky eater, as is my female Standard. I found that having a ritual before meals, and only leaving the bowls down for 15 minutes (no longer) resulted in cleaned bowls, no leftovers! I feed my Standards twice a day with two snacks, the Shih Tzu is fed 3 x/day with 2 snacks (green beans from the can sprinkled with parmesean cheese - a good low calorie treat, as Shih Tzus are prone to get porky).

[anneh]

Your diet sounds wonderful. I have been feeding the raw meat which is ground with the bone in order to get the calcium ratio so my question is how do you get the calcium ratio, do you add a calcium supplement? In some ways I would prefer to feed cooked but as I can't cook the ground/bone that is why I am feeding it raw. Thanks
anneh

Originally Posted by poodleholic

I change kibble about every 3 months (EVO, Natural Balance, Candidae).
Ground sirloin would be better, as the fat content is much lower. Try adding ground turkey, lamb, or chicken, poaching in water with a little garlic and a stalk of celery. Then use the stock to cook brown rice. Steam fresh vegetables (asparagus, green beans, kale, spinach, peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), and add to the brown rice and meat mixture. I make enough for a week, and place individual servings in freezer bags to take out to thaw the night before.
A little cottage cheese on top of the kibble is a good enticement, too, as is grating fresh parmesean cheese on the kibble. Plain active live cuture yogurt is good, poached or hard boiled eggs, sardines in olive oil, albacore, or baked sweet poato (plain, or with a little cinnamon & nutmeg). My dogs like green salads with shredded carrots, and a dressing made with plain yogurt seasoned with herbs. I also buy the Natural Balance food rolls which I slice and cube, or, grate over the dry kibble. That stuff is like doggie heroin! LOL I have yet to meet a dog who doesn't love it! (I currently have 3 foster dogs along with my own.)

I have (2) Standard Poodles, and recently adopted a little Shih Tzu I was fostering, the latter of whom is a very picky eater, as is my female Standard. I found that having a ritual before meals, and only leaving the bowls down for 15 minutes (no longer) resulted in cleaned bowls, no leftovers! I feed my Standards twice a day with two snacks, the Shih Tzu is fed 3 x/day with 2 snacks (green beans from the can sprinkled with parmesean cheese - a good low calorie treat, as Shih Tzus are prone to get porky).

[DobManiac]

Originally Posted by poodleholic

I also buy the Natural Balance food rolls which I slice and cube, or, grate over the dry kibble. That stuff is like doggie heroin! LOL I have yet to meet a dog who doesn't love it! (I currently have 3 foster dogs along with my own.)

Have you ever used the food rolls for treats? I am always looking for easy treats for conformation.

[crazydays]

Wow-everyone is doing great things for their dogs!
I have started to cook salmon and several types of whitefish. I do nothing to it but just cook it. I stir it all together. The dogs get 2-3 spoonfuls added to the kibble. I really want my dogs to get fish-most foods and supplements these days have seaweed/seameal or kelp additions and my one dog is allergic. They are loving it and does make me happy to do this. I want to increase their protein a little and I am hearing so much about fish and the benefits it gives them. If I could only worry about my own nutrition the same way!

[poodleholic]

Your diet sounds wonderful. I have been feeding the raw meat which is ground with the bone in order to get the calcium ratio so my question is how do you get the calcium ratio, do you add a calcium supplement? In some ways I would prefer to feed cooked but as I can't cook the ground/bone that is why I am feeding it raw. Thanks

No, there's no need to add a calcium supplemnt. I give my dogs raw bones for chewing, so to avoid the dangers of chemical-laden and dangerous rawhide chews, nylabone type chews, etc.

Because my dogs (Standard Poodles) are prone to bloat, it's important they get plenty of wet food, not just dry kibble. Many raw feeders use EVO when traveling, because it's so close to raw fed, but I like them to have fresh meat as well. They also enjoy fruits - apples, pears, watermelon, blueberries, and so on.

Have you ever used the food rolls for treats? I am always looking for easy treats for conformation.

Yes, all the time! I like the fact that I can slice, and then cut into very small pieces, perfect for training treats!

[Dogstar]

One thing to keep in mind is that picky eaters may be covering up a food intolerance- food doesn't agree with them = they don't like to eat it since they feel yucky afterwards. You'll USUALLY see stress poo after wards, but not always.

Going through this right now personally and it's making me crazy- I'm starting an elimination diet with Mal as soon as we find a good chewy that we know isn't irritating things.

[Dutchie]

Do all rawhide bones and treats have harmful chemicals in them? I give my dog merrick brand products or produts made in the USA. I never use any bones, treats, cookies, or food from other countries. Is my dog safe???
She likes the bones and rawhides to chew on if she gets bored thats why I buy them. When she gets older I won't need them as much.