[Erin80]

The breeder had sent a bag of food along when we picked Ivy up. She was also on a partial raw diet, so I bought 10lbs of commercially prepared turkey (which is what she was eating at the breeders). At first I just thought she was nervous and adjusting in her new home, so I wasn’t concerned. It has been a week now though, and she hardly eats. She won’t touch the raw, I’ve tried warming it and room temperature. We have switched kibble to a smaller kibble, and while she eats it better than the kind the breeder sent, she isn’t eating close to what she should in a day. I put her food down, she sits and looks at it, and walks away. The only way to get her to eat is to sit with her and to keep encouraging her over and over, and even then she won’t finish it.
The breeder sent home an information package on nutrition, and in it she suggests staying completely away from canned food. However, I can’t think of any other way to get Ivy to eat.....I was going to try canned food as a topper.
Does anyone have any other suggestions at all?
For chews so far she only likes natural types, bully sticks, pigs ears and chicken feet. She won’t touch Nylabones or anything like that. Also doesn’t like peanut butter in a Kong.
I have never had a dog like her. My two previous dogs ate anything offered! I’m getting concerned, she’s 10 weeks old today and growing....so she needs nutrition.

 

[RonE]

Has Ivy been the vet yet?

 

[NadiaK]

I got a new puppy in December. The breeder told me to give her one teaspoon of wet found mixed in with her kibble. She absolutely loves her food and gobbles it down every time. I use the Wellness canned puppy food.

 

[Francl27]

Try plain yogurt too. That moisturizes food nicely.

 

[Sanne]

You could try soaking the dry food in warm low sodium chicken broth. I find most picky eaters also love tinned sardines, a little goes a long way. You could try drizzling a little bit of the water they are packed in over her food. Stuff stinks and dogs tend to like stronger smelling foods.

 

[Erin80]

Thanks for the ideas!
Yes she’s been to the vet, checked out perfect.
I put a small scoop of canned food onto her lunch today, mixed it in, and she ate the whole thing! Guess we will be doing that for a while. I might try the chicken broth idea too. Thanks!!

 

[Erin80]

Chicken broth mixed in worked tonight!

 

[Sanne]

Awesome! Glad you found something that works and she's eating more consistently. I find broth is usually hard for them to resist lol

 

[mustluvdogs66]

I’m glad the broth worked.
If you do go back to raw, be very careful to make sure your dog is getting a well rounded meal. They need many vitamins and minerals and specific ingredients, so Ground Turkey is certainly not enough variety. This can result in many health issues over time.
The puppy could just be stressed from being in a new environment away from its family. No siblings or parents and a whole new place with new rules, smells, sounds, etc... Give it some time.
Did the breeder say why they were against canned food? There are lots of opinions out there. Many good, bad or indifferent. Always ask “why” when someone tells you to do or don’t do things. There’s really nothing wrong with some canned food, as long as you pick a quality natural brand.