Post by shew on May 13, 2004 18:39:02 GMT -5
I am in desperate need of help! I have a seven month old GSD, Xerxes, who is a very picky eater, to say the least. I've had him on Eukanuba large breed puppy food since I got him from the breeder in January, but he's just not eating well. I give him about two and a half cups of food at each meal, and it's a good meal if he eats over a cup and a half, and that usually takes him twenty to thirty minutes to eat. I've tried such foods as Nutro, Innonva, Science Diet, Purina One, and Flint River Ranch.
At meal times he gives me a look like, "you actually want me to eat that?" then takes a few bites and stops. I have to coax him to eat more. Even hand feeding doesn't work with this stinkhead!! Xerxes is about 24 inches and weighs around 50-55 pounds, just to give you an idea of his proportions. (I wish I had a waist line that looked like his!)
To entice Xerxes to eat I've tried adding things such as eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, carrots, a tiny bit of bacon fat, canned dog food (Eukanuba, Mighty Dog, Pedigree, etc.) and nothing has worked consistently. He may enjoy something at one meal, but then it is a hit and miss game at the next meal. He may like one thing one meal, but the next he shows no interest. I've also cooked up a recipe that a friend suggested that has ground beef, pumpkin, carrots, green beans, beef stock and some spices in it, which he seems to like, but he's still not eating like he needs to.
The vet has given him a clean bill of health so I know we are okay there. I've even tried such things as changing him from a metal food dish to a plastic one and changing from two feedings a day to as many as four. I'm really desperate for any suggestions anyone has. I'd really like to see him put on some weight and look healthier than he does. I really think my dog is anorexic!!
Just to clarify one thing, he has had a consistent base of Eukanuba, as I know any sudden change in a dogs diet can cause gastric upset. I've worked with my vet to ensure that I am not doing that and he has showed no signs of stomach upset. I have used Eukanuba as a "base" and added other dry foods to see if he likes them.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Shew
At meal times he gives me a look like, "you actually want me to eat that?" then takes a few bites and stops. I have to coax him to eat more. Even hand feeding doesn't work with this stinkhead!! Xerxes is about 24 inches and weighs around 50-55 pounds, just to give you an idea of his proportions. (I wish I had a waist line that looked like his!)
To entice Xerxes to eat I've tried adding things such as eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, carrots, a tiny bit of bacon fat, canned dog food (Eukanuba, Mighty Dog, Pedigree, etc.) and nothing has worked consistently. He may enjoy something at one meal, but then it is a hit and miss game at the next meal. He may like one thing one meal, but the next he shows no interest. I've also cooked up a recipe that a friend suggested that has ground beef, pumpkin, carrots, green beans, beef stock and some spices in it, which he seems to like, but he's still not eating like he needs to.
The vet has given him a clean bill of health so I know we are okay there. I've even tried such things as changing him from a metal food dish to a plastic one and changing from two feedings a day to as many as four. I'm really desperate for any suggestions anyone has. I'd really like to see him put on some weight and look healthier than he does. I really think my dog is anorexic!!
Just to clarify one thing, he has had a consistent base of Eukanuba, as I know any sudden change in a dogs diet can cause gastric upset. I've worked with my vet to ensure that I am not doing that and he has showed no signs of stomach upset. I have used Eukanuba as a "base" and added other dry foods to see if he likes them.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Shew
