[LoveMyBoy]

The past few days I have noticed that Gus hasn't been finishing all of his food like normal.  We are feeding him Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance and he has always seemed to do fine with it.  He is a pretty skinny boy and the vet gave us the go ahead to feed 6 cups/day twice a day.  I though, maybe that was too much and he wasn't that hungry.  I slowly cut the portions down, but each time he ate less and less.  I stated to worry...This morning I went to feed his big sister her adult food and got curious. I was desperate to see if he would eat so I put a handful on the floor and he gobbled it right up.  I followed that with a handful of his food and he snubbed it!! So...I put two cups of the adult food in is bowl and he ate it all! It was Purina One...Ugh, I hated doing that, but I needed to know he would eat.  My BF has had our black lab for 11 years and figured no need to change her food now...I am more picky about what kibble I feed Gus.  

So what now? Try something new and maybe get a small bag? Should I call the vet or be concerned at all? He did eat after all...

Any thoughts?

 

[lulu]

Sometimes you have to go with what works.

 

[Boxer_Love]

Maybe he is just tired of eating the same thing everyday! I know Heathers suggests alternating kibble every so often, so they dont get tired of eatting the same thing.  You could try that

 

[DUKE01]

Duke will get bored with his food sometimes and we have to either put something in it.  There are lots of things to put in their food, like yogurt, an egg, fish oil.  Stuff like that and switch it up.  Like in the morning I put yogurt in his food and at night I will give him whatever we are eating, if we are having hamburger, I will give him some or cut up pieces of steak stuff like that.  Or you may need to find another food you like and switch it up every couple of months.  Keep him interested.

 

[Cocosmom]

We just switched Coco onto Blues Organics and I was afraid she was not going to like it. Definitely not the case, she LOVES her new food!

 

[Barbs2Ks]

You might get some sample bags for some of the foods you want to try, that way you aren't stuck with a bag.   If you do end up with a bag of something donate what is left (in the bag) to a shelter or rescue.

 

[Soccergk1987]

You've basically just described Dungy.  He is crazy... he gets bored of his food and stops eating it.  He has a really strong stomach though and i have different foods i feed him when he doesnt eat a meal.  He is basically on Blue Buffalo and Chicken Soup... i am thinking about buying a few different kinds also so i have more options on what to give him.

 

[LoveMyBoy]

Thanks guys for all your input! I am not worried now...just know he is picky! I am going to get a small bag of something else and grab some yogurt on my way home from work...I'm sure he will be excited to try something new!

I do have a nearly 3/4 of a 40lb bag left and I will definitely take it to the shelter...what a great idea!

 

[samsonsmom]

Just make sure if you switch up foods occasionally, don't do it too often...But add an egg in occasionally, besides the fact it's good for the coat as well. Probiotic yogurt would also be a great add in...

 

[sully]

Yeah I've tried everything, cheap kibble, human grade kibble, homecooking, raw, treats, no treats....  Oggie still gets picky a lot and and refuses to eat.  I guess this is what happens to spoiled puppies  

 

[slobound]

My guy is like that too!  I've switched foods, added yummy extras like ground beef or chicken.  Finally switched to Innova and he's gone through a full large bag without any complaints.  I hope we've got one that will be ok for at least a little while.

 

[LoveMyBoy]

Well I just brought home some Old Mother Hubbard's Wellness Just for Puppy.  Dogfoodanalysis.com rated it a 5.  He dug right in and finished!  :lol: I'm interested to see how his belly does...It does seem to have a lot of protein I noticed

The women at the store seemed to think it would be ok...any ideas??  :?  I'm just glad he's eating!


Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein Not Less Than 28.0%
Crude Fat Not Less Than 17.0%
Crude Fiber Not More Than 5.0%
Moisture Not More Than 11.0%
Calcium Not Less Than 1.30%
Vitamin E Not Less Than 150 IU/kg
Omega 6 Fatty Acids Not Less Than 3.0%
Omega 3 Fatty Acids Not Less Than 1.0%
Beta Carotene* Not Less Than 5 mg/kg
DHA* Not Less Than 0.13%
Lycopene* Not Less Than 0.25 mg/kg
Taurine* Not Less Than 0.09%

 

[samsonsmom]

The 28% is about as high as you would want to go with a pup, but that's fine...Couldn't seem to find an ingredient list tho, but it is a good food

 

[LoveMyBoy]

Here they are...should have included before!! Day two and he licked the bowl dry!!

Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Salmon Meal (natural source of DHA-Docosahexaneoic acid), Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of vitamin E), Ground Brown Rice, Tomato Pomace, Rice Bran (from brown rice), Tomatoes (natural source of Lycopene), Natural Chicken Flavor, Rye Flour, Carrots, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Ground Millet, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride.

 

[JeepKuntry]

Next time, put an egg in with his food.  Maybe some yogurt, anything to spice it up and see if that helps.