Lincoln doesn't eat well

[Diane Denney]

Hi everyone!!  Lincoln Doodle is being very picky when he eats.  I feed him Blue Buffalo, Lamb, or Chicken, and Large Breed, and also some of the canned Blue Buffalo as well, but I always have to jump start his eating by hand, and sometimes even that doesn't work.  He is on Prozac, and I know that that could be causing him some gastric upset as he has thrown up after starting to eat a couple of times, but he doesn't seem to have any problem wanting food from my plate...grrrrrr....Does anyone have any advice for a picky eater?  I've been thinking of taking him off the Prozac now that he is past two years of age, but he still has some issues.  I need to discuss this with the behaviorist.  I brought home a sample of Precise Food, but I noticed the reviews aren't that high.  He did seem to like it though.  I brought the Holistic Precise Large Breed home.  I'm getting so tired of trying new foods for him.  Right now I put sweet potato over the top of his food and that usually works to some degree, but not consistantly.  I'm afraid he might be spoiled now.  I tried Natural Choice for sensitve stomachs too, and Wellness which is will not eat at all.  Not sure where to go from here.  Thanks a bunch!!!

[Leslie J]

Cocoa is also very picky.  I leave food out for her to graze, but I also need her to eat two meals a day or her anal glands start to act up (she needs two good poops a day).  She has absolutely no interest in canned dog food and is not very into kibble (I use Orijen).  The food I found that she likes is ZiwiPeak- it is primarily air-dried meat so I think it tastes more like "real" food.  The good thing also about it is that since it is air-dried it doesn't go bad if she doesn't finish it.  I mix it with some kibble, and it seems the yummy flavor stimulates her appetite and she also eats some kibble.  I admit I also sometimes mix a hard-boiled egg or leftover chicken or fish with the kibble.  I wouldn't worry too much about spoiling him...  just like kids some dogs are picky eaters!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I was told too not to leave the food down for more then 15 minutes. That didn't work, He would go days without eating. I don't have any other pets so he is fed in the morning his entire amount of food that he is to get for the day and I leave it up to him to eat when he wants.

 

The only time I have ever seen him go to town on food is when I am dog sitting and I am feeding more then one dog at a time, then he takes his whole bowl down.

 

I am truly curious because I had no idea that you can put a dog on Prozac. Jack doesn't need it but how do you determine a dog needs drugs as opposed to training/exercise? I am so curious.

 

[Diane Denney]

This is the behaviorist we see.  She believes in behavior modification with medication in some cases.  She evaluates each case on an individual basis, and she will help us for as long as we need.

 

http://www.gooddogclass.com/index.php/about/

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I feed my dogs Fromm and switch the formulas frequently. They seem to like the variety. I leave their food down pretty much all day and they eat the majority of it at night. What about Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top?

[Debbie and Thomas]

OK... someone has to say this...your behaviourist put him on PROZAC!!!  ...because he was not focused on his training?  WOW!!  Who does that?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Sorry, I am right there with Debbie and Thomas...PROZAC????  I think that is the problem and everything else has escalated out of control.  I think a better or different trainer would have been a better option than medicating the poor Doodle!  IMO

[Diane Denney]

No, not just not focused on his training he was dominant, and had exciteable aggression and we could not cope.  He poked a couple of teeth holes in me.  We brought him through 3 training classes with two different trainers, and 2 behaviorists.  This has worked, and we have peace at our house, and Lincoln still has a home.  It is not forever hopefully.

[Diane Denney]

Here is more information on Prozac for dogs and cats.  It is used along with behavior modification.  Lincoln has obsessive compulsive problems like chewing on himself, and a few other issues.  He is also extremely dominant.  Trust me we tried everything and are still dealing with some issues.  I didn't want to use it either, but it has helped alot.  I would never do anything to hurt my dog, and I trust my veterinarian and the behaviorist to do only what would help him.  He was assessed in person, and was found to have these issues.

 

http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/fluoxetine-prozac/page1.aspx

[Maria & Xena]

Xena is a grazer as well.  I did the 1/2 hr thing with her food b/c that's what I was told to do as well. That didnt work out b/c she wasnt eating. She eats when she eats & I put her 3 cups in a bowl. Sometimes it's gone by the next day & sometimes it isnt. (she's tried a bunch of different foods & it doesnt change) She's 50lbs & runs alot so she needs to eat or she loses weight fast. Wish that would happen to me- lol! If she goes several days without eating much - I'll use yogurt or pumpkin or chix/beef broth & she'll usually eat. She seems to eat the most in the middle of the night too. A friend of mine told me that the grazers will never have weight problems which is good as they get older. Now why cant I graze & not gain weight?! Btw - I feed her a mix of Orijen & Fromm.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have a cat who likes to graze, and 2 other cats and a dog who dont - so none of them do. Pippin has had to learn that she eats when the food is down then waits til next meal time. Often i will put her in front of her food 2 or 3 times in a row  til she wont eat any more

 

Adding the topping just makes them more picky in my opinion, but for some dogs its the only thing that works (so Im told, but a dog will never starve itself. To go 3 days without eating once in a while is not dangerous).

 

Check out the food group for recommended brands - Blue buffalo is high in grains and low in protein, which isnt too suitable for a high energy dog.  The Blue Wilderness is much better (grain free, higher protein). I have found that many dogs prefer the higher protein low carb foods over the low protein high cards ones (cats too!) One reason dogs go nuts for cat food is because its high in protein (and because it belongs to someone else!!!!!)

 

Switching proteins is a good idea - this is possible with most brands. feed a different "flavour' each month/bag to give them variety and peak their interest. Some dogs are happy with the same flavour though, and if you can find one he likes then stick to it. try a red meat, a poultry, and a fish. I feed Orijen

 

Cut out ALL treats til you find a food he will eat

 

Why is he on Prozac? 

[Diane Denney]

Thanks for the info Kaytlin!  I explained the Prozac in other posts.

[Judi, David & Maddie Irishdoodle]

Have you tried plain no fat yogurt?  Maddie lost her appetite while going through a bout of Kennel Cough so I mixed her kibble with a tablespoon of plain yogurt and she ate every last bit in her bowl.  I am still giving her the yogurt with her kibble because she just loves it. I believe many DKers feed plain yogurt to there doodles.