What do you feed your dog?

[Grockle]

My rescue dog came with dry food that she won't eat. I've managed to get her to eat jam sandwiches cooked chicken (won't touch it raw) and some tinned food. She won't eat mixer. I was just wondering what other people feed their dogs. I was really interested in BARF type diets but I think she's less interested!

My dog had a rough start, digestive issues that would horrify anyone (will refrain from TMI) - had to be fed boiled chicken and potato (even rice would make her bleed, a nightmare!) - I would add a lightly boiled egg and some vits to the mix. Did for 6 mths till she started healing her innards, then gradually added soft tray food into mix, eventually did away with the chicken and potato - and then (again over a month or two) started adding dry food. Now she has dry food (Vet's Kitchen, Salmon & Potato) along with leftovers and occasionally a tray. Takes time, introduce new food slowly by mixing increasing quantities over time into her food.

Thank you. Will continue with cooked chicken and bits and see how she does. She did have a scrambled egg the other day. She's underweight and sleeps all day so I want to build her up a bit but on more than jam sandwiches! I went out yesterday and left 12 cupcakes on the counter - when I came back they were all still there. Never have I known a dog who wouldn't steal food like that! It's such a different game, having a dog who is reluctant to eat.

Have you had her checked out? Dog hesitating to eat is a pretty bad sign, it's the first we had before many other signs came to the fore :( Not that our vet was super helpful (kept saying she wouldn't make it and ordering test after test - all inconclusive), finally it was just through a lot of forums/googling that I arrived at diagnosis and our homecooked recipe. I believe a fully cooked egg isn't totally digestible, hence the half-boiled. Also vitamins would be a good addition esp. if she's underweight - she'll need calcium, iron etc. Poor thing. I'm no expert though, this is just what worked for our pooch. Do google for some 'homemade dog food' links, they'll provide ratios of meat to veg and starch, etc. Good luck. Sending big hug to you both.

She won't eat because she's scared - she's obviously been hit in the past. She's beginning to relax a bit and will eat tinned dog food. I'm assuming that's sufficient? She also won't leave my side so if I leave the kitchen, she follows me. I don't want her to get used to me sitting with her for every meal but I also want her to eat so

I'll google homemade dog food, thank you. Vet appointment at the end of the week.

Tinned is probably best - vet said it has all req'd nutrients etc. as opposed to home cooked (i.e. if no supplements added). The fear factor will just take time I expect. Aww, my heart goes out to her. Good on you for taking her in and caring for her!

How long have you had her? Rescue dogs can be very stressed to start with, which is probably not helping, especially if they're not very food-oriented types to start with. And if she's a nervous dog with an abusive past (poor thing :() it might take her a bit longer than normal to settle?

I know someone who tried probiotic supplements for a puppy with this problem, and it seemed to help, maybe worth asking the vet about?

We feed ours a complete dry food, but then they'd eat anything you put in front of them so tempting their appetite has never been a problem! Maybe try the NatureDiet pouches - it's a complete food so should have all the nutrients needed, and seems to be good-quality stuff, but a bit more tasty than dry kibble.

Our dogs go mad for plain boiled rice, so that's worth a try.
Webbox is quite good too.

Are her teeth o.k? Perhaps the biscuits are to hard on her mouth.

Our rescue cat kept running off during eating. I didnt realise she was in pain.

We took her to the vet & her gums were so bad, she had a lot of teeth removed. Now eats fine.

My dog has;

Iams, a small amount of pasta & wagg gravy granules.

You mix 2 teaspoons of the granules with hot water, he loves it.

He has 2 meals a day.

You can add a bit of warm water to dry food, to make a gravy.

Hope that helps a bit x

Her teeth are ok - she'd just been very badly treated and weighed very little when she was rescued. She had 3 pups who died because they were so badly treated. I think she's just not used to being able to eat in peace and is constantly looking over her shoulder to make sure I am still there. I'll look for the gravy granules - she seems to prefers wet food so that might help. Will try rice too and keep with the tins.

Thank you all - she is very lovely but driving me bonkers with following me everywhere. I cant even go to the toilet without her wanting to know what I'm doing, It's like having a toddler again!

When I got my basset he was severely underweight, he was a skeleton at 19 weeks old, so sad :( we got him on james wellbeloved dry puppy food and added raw meat to it.... in pets at home they sell frozen minced meat blocks, the rabbit one was the best for him at first. You can cook it easily in the microwave, but I just defrosted it. Did the job, coat looked fab and vet was really pleased with his progress. He's now on a better hypoallergenic dry food, that I add 1/2 can of butchers tripe to. The butchers tripe cans are brill, it does wonders for his coat and his condition is fab; he was propositioned the other day by a breeder who wanted to use him..... I had to point out that he was lacking the essential bits!

My rescue dog has a combination of mixed raw meat/raw bones and complete (dry) food. A tin of fish weekly. Occasionally an egg, bit of cheese and natural yoghurt.

When he has his complete food, I invariably add scraps/left overs from the evening meal. He is very partial to all variants of tomato and veg pasta.

About every three weeks he has a tin of dog food. This coincides with chippy tea/takeaway :-)

He is in great condition (coat and teeth) and has loads of energy. The only time he has 'dog breath' or a trumpy bottom (!) is after the tinned food.

I found this site interesting when I was looking at providing a home cooked diet for my dog
dogaware.com/articles/wdjhomemade3.html

Thank you all. She's found her apetite today and eaten a tin of food + mixer plus some pasta and cake. She's looking much better - a bit of good food and lots of brushing has really helped. And I saw her wag her tail today so she must be feeling brighter. She was really happy when I got home

Good news, Grockle. Could do with some cake myself, on this wet, miserable day!

That's a great link Flatbread, thanks for sharing. Happy to hear your little doggie is feeling better Grockle! I think with the love and care you're offering she'l be a new dog in no time!

My youngest dog was a rescue (from a nice family that just didn't have enough time for him) and we've had similar issues. He was very nervy at first and didn't seem interested in food. He was fed a low quality complete food.

We feed our dogs CSJ it's excellent quality and value. We also add sardines (in tomatoes is good as tomato juice is supposed to stop bitches scorching lawns) or cod liver oil as a treat as they love it and their coats are in excellent condition. If they're ill I will make them rice or porridge.

Try not to feed too much dairy as a lot of dogs are lactose intolant, I used cheese as a training treat until I realised it gave her diarrhoea.

Good luck, sounds as though she's improving already.