Advise

[pilsdogurl]

My parents adopted a chiuhuahua about 4 years ago (he was about 2 years old at that time). From the very first day, he rejected dog food even after trying different brands. So we ended up giving him regular food and he didn't seem to mind. Is it too late to switch him to eating dog food. We thought of leaving dog food on his plate and hopefully he would eat it when he gets hungry enough. But we end up feeling bad for him so we change it to regular food. What's the best way to get him to eat dog food because it is better for him.

[opokki]

I don't think its too late to switch him to dog food....but you must try and avoid giving him people food or he will simply hold out knowing that you will eventually give in. You may also have better luck getting him to eat canned food if your attempts to get him to eat dry food don't work.
I think you may find the tips on this site helpful:
http://www.westielovers.com/westieworld/picky.html

[DaisyJRT]

Well maybe you might want to try the BARF diet. If you don't you'll have to stop feeding him people food all together. He wont starve himself!! Dogs aren't that stupid. Obviously he's pretty darn smart if he's holding out, he knows you'll cave and give him something better!

[timtwo]

I think that this is one of the hardest behaviors to change. I haven't had to deal with it myself, but while working at a vet clinic, we saw it all the time. But, unless you have a degree in animal biology it is going to be hard to provide an adequate diet.
I hope that opokki's website helped because it is important to switch to dog food, preferrably dry (to help with dental problems).
I think its okay to add some people food to his food dish to entice him, but only a tiny bit. I always found it hard to convince people that their dog was actually eating so much people food that they were full. Try to imagine the dogs stomach in that tiny body. Maybe it holds a tablespoon or two. No wonder so many toy breeds are overweight. Good luck and ask your vet for suggestions as well.

[weitzel.9]

first of all by feeding your dog ppl food you are slowly killing your dog. Eventually with time it will destroy their thyroid. Also by giving it ppl food it ruins their teeth and makes it hard and sometime impossible for them to eat real dog food. You may want to try getting soft dog food and mixing hard food with it. AND STICK TO ONE KIND (example: Dad's or Purina). The reason your dog probably wouldn't eat dog food when you first got him/her was b/c you kept switch kinds/brands (which causes urinary problems) and the dog was not use to hard solid foods. It is absolutely imperative that you start the dog on a transition to REAL DOG FOOD!!! No more ppl food. Let me know if you have any more problems amyinnewjersey@yahoo.com

[originalfatc]

imo, it's not exactly feeding people food as opposed to what sort of people food you are giving him.
I felt bad sometimes giving my crew scraps, then this article gave me a different point of view.

pet nutrition (http://forumpets.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=35)

I'm careful, and they couldn't be doing better.

[Jenny]

Very nice article, and I agree with you ofc. Pilsdogurl- have you heard of "Halo"? It's www.halopets.com It's a softer food and from what I can tell extremely nutritious. I think that a homeade diet can work great with dogs, as long as they are getting the right amounts of each thing.

[originalfatc]

TY Jenny.

Yea, I research quite intensely for my place and I learn alot!:D

Always open to new ideas too.

[DaisyJRT]

Dad's or Purina? Those are only two of the worst foods on the market. Did you mention what kind of food you are feeding your dog?? I suggest a higher quality food. Ex Canidae or Innova. Don't let the price per bag scare you! As a better food you feed less....and the bag will last longer.

[weitzel.9]

I owned a feed store and I also rescue animals (dogs, cats, horses, sugar gliders, goats, cows, etc). Dad's is a good dog food! And Purina is very good. Most of those high price foods with all the fancy marketing will make your dog VERY hyper not to mention fat! For a dog that hasn't really eaten dog food before those will be just fine. The others will probably shock the dogs system and the dog will have stomach problems!

[originalfatc]

Yes, they are all *good foods*, but mine happen to have allergies to corn, and o my, Purina and Dad's are very high in corn.
I found this by researching and experimenting, I don't pay top dollar, but the food I get is meat based with very little corn and soy.

I've had dogs in the past that did fantastic on Dad's, but not this gang. Each one is an individual and there is no across the boards best.

[weitzel.9]

Ok.....yeah you have to take in account for those kind of things. I was giving general info to the person with the dog that wont eat dog food!!!!!!!!