Pumpkin alternatives?

[Michele Kiss]

Fenway is a frustratingly picky eater. He doesn't like his kibble (Fromm's Four Star Nutritionals - just recently bought Orijen to try...) and will often go all day without eating (finally eating at like 10PM.) We try not to add too much to his food to "persuade" him to eat but sometimes have to resort to adding some hot water to his kibble, or sprinkling a little cheese on it, when we know that he has a big day at daycare ahead and HAS to eat so he has some energy!

He is just not particularly food motivated. He does enjoy treats but not in the "ohmigod drop everything!" kind of way. (For example, if we go walking, he won't eat while out on a walk. So there's no such thing as "reward him for walking nicely with a treat." Even the BEST treats that he will do anything for at home (like fresh chicken or cheddar cheese) will be spat out while on a walk. 

He also doesn't seem to like stuff that other dogs like! For example, I am trying to feed him a little bit of pumpkin to help his stool, and he wants none of it. I know that sweet potato is another alternative, but sweet potato tastes so similar to pumpkin (IMHO) that I suspect I'll get the exact same reaction. Are there any other things that are good to feed them for the same purpose? 

Ironically, the first time he tried pumpkin he loved it. He really hasn't had it much still, but seems to approach it like, "meh, that old stuff? Forget it." 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Michele, you have a lot of company here. Many of our dogs are picky eaters and we've had many discussions about this here.

This is my favorite one; it's pretty funny, but it contains some good info, too. I hope you enjoy it: 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/an-ode-...

Regarding additional fiber, if he won't eat fiber rich foods like pumpkin or sweet potatoes, there's not much you can do. But I personally don't think that pumpkin tastes all that much like sweet potatoes; I find the sweet potatoes to be much, well, sweeter, lol. JD wouldn't ever touch pumpkin and he loves sweet potatoes. So you might try it. One option might be to warm it up before adding it to his food. I've found that warming vegetables enhances their aroma and their appeal to many dogs. 

Warmed green beans (no sodium added canned type) or cooked lima beans might be another option to try adding to his food. But I have a feeling that he is going to reject them, if not the first time they're offered, then shortly afterwards, lol. 

You might also consider giving him dehydrated sweet potato treats. Sam's Yams is a good reliable brand, and there are others on our recommended list. Some people here make their own.

The only other thing I can think of would be to add some psyllium fiber (Konsyl) to a small amount of canned food, or any soft food he likes. 

[Michele Kiss]

Thanks Karen! I always think of sweet potato as being so similar :-) But agree it might be worth a try. I also wonder if he doesn't like the "mashed" type texture. Maybe I can try actual pieces (small, cut up) of warmed sweet potato or pumpkin... may make a difference.

Good idea on the treats - most of the ones we give him are more meat-based so that might be a good way to get him to eat some.

I don't know why but the picky eater thing just throws me. I've heard lots of people talk about their picky doodle eaters but my brain always thinks, you're part lab, you should eat EVERYTHING in sight. LOL!! Gotta get over that perception.

Thank you!!

[Deborah Brown]

I agree about trying sweet potato.  My dogs eat it every day and seem to enjoy it.  It might look like pumpkin but fresh sweetpotato is MUCH better.  :)

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I'd try sweet potato. I also wanted to add that Ragley is not a picky eater, but she will not eat treats as rewards on walks out in the park, etc. I discussed it with my trainer and she told me to not forget the value of my praise as a reward. She said that that behavior is not uncommon.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Remembering the value of praise as a reward was challenging for me, too. My last dog was so food motivated, she would do anything for a treat, so I got in the habit of relating rewards to food. JD is a very different kind of dog, and I really had to work hard to remember to use exuberant praise to reward him when I was training him.   

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

I agree with the sweet potato tasting different as well..especially if it is warmed..i think warming it gives it a sweeter taste. I usually microwave one whole sweet pot. for 5 min (poke holes in it) let it cool, peel, then put in a container, keep it in the fridge..I will cut a slice of it as needed and then reheat it, for about 10 seconds, then put Maxi's food on top of it..I like to think of it a surprise at the bottom of her bowl..though she is not a picky eater, and it would eat her food regardless.

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

My Sherlock gets indifferent to his food once in a while, and a half dozen or so green beans mixed into it and he gobbles it right down .  I was shocked..... but it did work.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Hi there. My pup loves sweet potatoes and over the past several months I've been baking my own sweet potato chew treats (we love Sam's Yams, but they're expensive). It's super easy to do (no special equipment needed) and Truffle loves them.  I usually give them to him as a treat when I brush him out and he's happy as a clam.  Here's a link to the recipe:  http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/sweet-potato-dog-chew.html.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for adding this recipe, Jennifer. 

[Jennifer & Truffle]

My pleasure - I just happened to see this thread and having just made a batch for Truffle the other day, the timing to share was perfect!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Frankly I prefer having a dog with discerning tastes.  Hurley has always been that way.  He does not like any of the various treats.  His ALD buddies are crazy for them but Hurley just walks away.  He doesn't take treats from strangers.   That I really like.  As for finding a dog food he would eat I believe I went through all of them at least twice.   What he does like is his dry kibble with chopped up cooked chicken or with Sojos freeze dried options.  But I use the world 'like' with an eye roll.  He eats it because he gets hungry and that is about the only reason.  He saunters over for his breakfast (and I do mean saunter) when he feels like it.  Sometimes he eats his dinner and some times he simply walks away.