Changing Dog Food

[brittneyalmer]

Hi Everyone!

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction of dog food. My 2 dogs are super picky eaters and have been on Pro-Plan since they were puppies and they are now 5 years old. I've noticed recently that the food is really bothering their digestive system. Their stomachs have been making super loud rumbling noises.

Being that they are picky eaters, is there a food out there that yorkies tend to like over other foods? Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Brittney

[MY OSCAR]

my oscar is not picky so i dont know how much help i can be but i can make a few suggestions....

orijen , acana , blue buffalo , fromm are all excellent foods..

since your pups have been on the same food for so long , whatever food you decide on make sure do a gradual change..

start with 75% old 25% new , each week increase the new and decrease the old.
do this each week till you have reached 100% new...

also you could write to the companys and request food samples and see which one your pups like best...

[MikaTallulah]

Mine Love FROMM's Chicken a la Veg. They happily eat it as a bedtime treat when mommy is too lazy to go to the actual treat container since it keep them treats in the fridge and then warm them up (homemade dehydrated chicken)

Tried Wellness and BB but it did not work for all the dogs well.

[MikaTallulah]

I personally will never support Nestle Purina ever again

[mimimomo]

I recently switched to Canine Caviar & my pickiest eater looks forward to her dinner time (they only get kibble for dindin & honest kitchen for breakfast). http://mycaninecaviar.com/

If switching from proplan to a higher premium kibble, make sure you do it gradually, mixing in the old w/the new over 2 weeks time. It will take some time for their digestive system to get used to it (but every dog is different). This site also has a lot of excellent info about dog food: Dog Food Reviews and Ratings | Dog Food Advisor

Rotating their protein source is also a good idea as they can develop allergies if eating the same food for years. They can also receive vital nutirents from all different food sources.

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

If switching from proplan to a higher premium kibble, make sure you do it gradually, mixing in the old w/the new over 2 weeks time. It will take some time for their digestive system to get used to it (but every dog is different). This site also has a lot of excellent info about dog food: Dog Food Reviews and Ratings | Dog Food Advisor

Rotating their protein source is also a good idea as they can develop allergies if eating the same food for years. They can also receive vital nutirents from all different food sources.

Great suggestions!

[107barney]

This is an area of great debate. Personally, I don't feed nor believe in the latest and greatest fad of "holistic" marketing foods. I go with a safe food first, and that means I home cook for my dogs. When I cannot home cook, I use Royal Canin products. I also am not a believer in the "rotate the proteins" approach. In my estimation, if a dog is "allergic" or "intolerant" to a food source, then the dog is allergic/intolerant and rotating that food in and out won't make any difference. My dogs have been eating chicken for 12 years now as their primary protein source and since they are not allergic/intolerant to it, there is no need to rotate their proteins. I do vary their foods from time to time for variety as dogs like variety but 99.9% of the time they eat chicken.

Good luck finding the perfect solution and food for your babies.

[jeane]

morgan eats the merrick grain free and loves it

[Potter]

I home cook as well. Mine is super picky as well. I use Hilary's Blend supplement and her recipe book. It is human grade supplement and so far so good.

[RileyDC]

Mine is also on Canine Caviar. Has been since August 2nd.
He is 2 1/2 years old and we have been on many food trials since
I brought him home. He seems to be extra sensitive to a lot of foods.
But with Canine Caviar, he literally does circles and shrieks for the food,
even 4-months later. It has also Completely Cleared his skin.

Here are photos before and after.... the after photos are just 7-days
after starting Canine Caviar. I really need to take photos now...
4-months later because he is even More Clear, now!! I highly
recommend this food to Everybody!!

[lovespandp]

My Peanut is 5 as well!! He is on Canine Caviar. I have him on Open Sky, which is the Duck protein. He absolutely LOVES this food- He use to eat ¼ of a cup within 2 days! Now he licks his bowl clean! He will sit there and wait till I fill his bowl, then he will start munching!! I have never ever seen him act like this with dry food!! He will eat 1/8 of a cup in the morning, and a 1/8 in the evening, if he licks his bowl before 6pm I will usually throw some more in there maybe ½ of an 1/8 he will eat a couple kibbles, but never over eats- which is good!!

He had major itching and tummy problems! He had hot spots on his tummy and inner thigh, his eyes were watery, he itched 99.9 % of the time! I also had to give him Benadryl pills every single day!! He has a perfect weight to him, his coat is super shiny and smooth, his eyes are clear, his skin looks great and he has not itched AT ALL. I also have stopped giving him the Benadryl pills!!

I am 100% happy with Canine Caviar- I am so happy I was told about it. I have never seen Peanut healthier! The difference you see in your dog is amazing- I would tell you to try just because I think it would help!

[veggienut]

Originally Posted by Potter

I home cook as well. Mine is super picky as well. I use Hilary's Blend supplement and her recipe book. It is human grade supplement and so far so good.

What is "Hilary's Blend Supplement"~? My dog is on Natural Balance L.I.D. Lamb Formula. He hasn't eaten all day and I'm a bit worried. I can't sit the food down and he'll eat like a normal dog. He has to play to eat, but he's not doing that. Perhaps, he's not hungry~? This has been going on now for a week with not eating. I play ball and have treats of Cheerios or something but he's not even tempted by the food, but perhaps a smell or two. Normally, after a Cheerio or two he'll begin eating, or a ball thrown a couple times or so. Any suggestions~? Should I worry~? I have home cooked some veggies one day and he gobbled the food up, but I don't wish to do this daily for him. Thanks.

[Potter]

Originally Posted by veggienut

What is "Hilary's Blend Supplement"~? My dog is on Natural Balance L.I.D. Lamb Formula. He hasn't eaten all day and I'm a bit worried. I can't sit the food down and he'll eat like a normal dog. He has to play to eat, but he's not doing that. Perhaps, he's not hungry~? This has been going on now for a week with not eating. I play ball and have treats of Cheerios or something but he's not even tempted by the food, but perhaps a smell or two. Normally, after a Cheerio or two he'll begin eating, or a ball thrown a couple times or so. Any suggestions~? Should I worry~? I have home cooked some veggies one day and he gobbled the food up, but I don't wish to do this daily for him. Thanks.

Hilary's Blend is supplement for home cooking. Here is a link:-
HILARY'S BLEND (formerly THE BALANCER) supplement for home-made meals

[RileyDC]

Originally Posted by veggienut

What is "Hilary's Blend Supplement"~? My dog is on Natural Balance L.I.D. Lamb Formula. He hasn't eaten all day and I'm a bit worried. I can't sit the food down and he'll eat like a normal dog. He has to play to eat, but he's not doing that. Perhaps, he's not hungry~? This has been going on now for a week with not eating. I play ball and have treats of Cheerios or something but he's not even tempted by the food, but perhaps a smell or two. Normally, after a Cheerio or two he'll begin eating, or a ball thrown a couple times or so. Any suggestions~? Should I worry~? I have home cooked some veggies one day and he gobbled the food up, but I don't wish to do this daily for him. Thanks.

How old is he now and how much does he weigh?
How much would you say he eats per day ?

[veggienut]

Originally Posted by RileyDC

How old is he now and how much does he weigh?
How much would you say he eats per day ?

He's 5 years old now and weighs 8.5 lbs (give or take). I use a small scooper which is 1/4 cup. I got him to eat his dinner and we played ball a couple hours ago.