Should I bother switching food?

[Karen & Maple]

Illness and a blad diet last summer led to a picky eater. I've tried the 'if you're hungry, you'll eat' approach, but failed. Personally I have no problem giving her a little healthy lean meat, sweet potato, a little cheese, yogurt etc. I actually like the idea of some 'real' food. My vet aggrees, it's not a health issue, tells me she not worried about Maple being obese.

The problem is I don't want this to be a burden for our family / friends when they dog sit. Also it's a pain when we travel.

To boot, when she stayed recently with our family for 2 weeks, she was happy to eat other dogs food- of course not from our recommended list. I'm sure this had something to do with the fact that it's wasn't hers.

Anyways, wondering if I swith her from current food: Fromm, to another-maybe it will renew her interest. Currently switching between Fromm's different formula's in the 4 star line doesn't help.

I'm also sort of looking for an excuse to go with Orijen. But haven't since Fromm is great too, and she been on it from the beginning. Thoughts? I think I know the answer- stick with Fromm and stop with the extras

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, there are 10 or 12 different formulas in Fromm's Four Star line, so if that's not enough variety and switching around to keep her interested, I don't think a different brand is going to make a difference, lol. 

What you might do to solve the problem of having to add extras when she stays with friends, why not buy a new bag of something different at those times only? 

[Karen & Maple]

I know, I thought the same thing. I was just thinking maybe it's a good enough reason to try switching. But she'll probably eat the other dogs garbage food anyways. I just smiled when my SIL said 'well she likes our food, just feed her that' Arg! She means well.

[Deborah Brown]

I say go ahead and switch to Orijen.  Who needs an excuse?  Seriously, my dogs did not like Fromm when we tried it out but loved Orijen.

Do the people who care for your dog really mind adding extras?  I would think not.  You can make it easier by adding something simple and not messy.  I buy Ziwipeaks to use as treats and for kongs, etc.  It is too pricey too feed by itself but it is a healthy addition.  You could mix some in with the regular kibble when you travel.

[Karen & Maple]

They say they don't mind, but I kinda feel bad having them cook up food for her. Never heard of Ziwipeaks, I'll look into it. I'm seriously thinking of just trying the Orijen. So your dogs simply wouldn't eat the Fromm? What's funny is she was perfectly content before the 3 weeks of bland diet!

[Deborah Brown]

Let's say they were not enthusiastic about the Fromms.  BUT plenty of other people here feed it and their doods are happy so maybe mine are just fussy.

Ziwipeaks is "air dried" and very expensive.  My dogs really like it but I only use it for treats.  We have these puzzle toys so I'll hide the Ziwipeaks in the puzzles for them.  I can also use it for training.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Some other ideas for easy toppings that don't involve having your dog sitters cooking up food for the dog. (Keep in mind that dogs don't mind eating cold food, lol.)

Chop a couple of hard boiled eggs ahead of time and it can be sprinkled on top of the kibble; most dogs love it. It keeps for several days in an air tight container. The same can be done with diced chicken breast. 

Jack's favorite: some flaked canned tuna (use chuck light, not Albacore) or salmon. 

Half of a crumbled Stella & Chewy's patty. 

[Karen & Maple]

Yes I've done this, it does work great. Sooo, Karen..... Does this mean YOUR guilty of this practice too?! Lol :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL. Jack has Inflammatory Bowel Disease and about 40% of his daily diet is homecooked food.

But back when he was healthy and eating primarily Orijen, I did add some fresh food to his dinner several times a week. Not to try to tempt him to eat but just as a treat, and to get some fresh food into his diet. 

As a former personal trainer and weight management counselor, I look at food, eating, and feeding a little differently than many people. You're probably read this discussion about picky eaters before, but if not, it's worth taking a look at it. Adina's comments in particular: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/an-ode-...

[Karen & Maple]

So if I do switch, and she eats it plain, can I ever give some yummy lean hamburger etc without spoiling her?

[Deborah Brown]

I also feed mine homemade and they definitely expect it.  If there is just dog food in the dinner bowl, they give me the look.  So I'd agree that feeding extras, toppers, etc. do spoil them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree that it does spoil them. Dogs are creatures of habit, and they come to expect things if you do them more than once. Jack gets three pieces of Pure Bites when he comes in from doing business outside, and just try giving him two pieces, lol.

Adding fresh food to the kibble because it's healthy is one thing, but if it's because it's "yummy", lol, that's another issue, and one that has more to do with our own feelings about food & eating than the dog's.  

[Karen & Maple]

Well yes perhaps it's both, healthy from my perspective, but she just loves it! Which seems to me make me happy too I guess. Question is- are adding healthy lean 'real' add ons healthier? Or is everything she needs in the kibble? Or both?