Won't Eat Kibble

[Donna K & Quincy]

My 1 year old goldendoodle Quincy won't eat kibble. Until he was about 7-8 mos old he ate really well. Now he won't eat kibble at all unless there is something mixed with it. I've tried several different kinds but with no success. My local pet store has been really good in that if I try something that he doesn't like I can return it. Right now I am giving him Taste of the Wild. I always have to mix something with it either canned food or something I cook. Salmon is his favorite. He is 60 lbs and should be eating 3-4 cups of food but most days if he eats 2 cups we're lucky. What I'de like to know if there is a good quality canned food I can use. Also is it ok to feed him chicken hearts.

[Melissa & Porter]

Try California Natural kibble -- it is not that high in protein (but if you are supplementing with real meat that should not be a problem). The ingredients are high quality and simple (for allergies).

The main reason I recommend it though is that Porter was always indifferent to kibble (because of all the table food he got) and California Natural is the first kibble he devours.

A trick for any kibble is to sprinkle parmesan cheese on it.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Think I'll give this a try it would certainly be an easy fix. Thanks

[Adina P]

This may be a leap, but I just read on another forum where someone's doodle was the same way and she figured out it was because of the sound kibble made. Mixing wet stuff in muffles the sound. May have NOTHING to do with your dog's reason, but just thought I'd throw it out there.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Organ meats like chicken hearts are fine for dogs, but the amounts should be limited. Twice a week is the most I would give them. They are very high in cholesterol.
There's nothing wrong with adding canned food or people food to Quincy's meals, if you don't mind doing it. There are lots of high quality canned foods...Fromm, Evanger's, Innova, California Naturals...just about every premium brand makes a canned version as well as a kibble. You can try adding a scrambled or chopped hardboiled egg 2-3x a week, too. My guy loves lima beans. Some FG members add green beans or carrots to their dogs' food.

[Kyoko]

I still use the kibbles for her training, and it became problem for me when I started mixing Butter's food ( I cook for him since he is now 15, and does not seem to digest kibbles well any more ) with her kibbles. Off course she loves the home cooked meal, ate everything else but kibbles out of her bowel. Eventually, she did not want to eat the kibbles at all,and stop working for me with kibbles. I stoped mixing home cooked meal with her kibbles... It took few days, but now she is back to kibbles only. ( Her trainer wants only the kibbles to be used at home for the training, and keep the treats like Zukes for the school.)
I felt bad since Butter is eating home cooked meals, so, I put aside some boiled chicken liver, boiled egg or whatever I put in Butter's food a little, and give it to her as her treat, separate from her meal.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We wet down the kibble for our old guy, dampen it for our Springer and leave it dry for Ned who chooses when he might want to eat. Our older dog probably has some tooth issues. He has always preferred "soup" but now seems to need the kibble softened a bit.

[Kyoko]

That's a good idea.... I may try that to see how he does.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Just another thought too if you haven't tried it and are trying to avoid having to mix or add things...we are currently trying out the Canidae grain free salmon formula. You said Quincy loves salmon and this food definitely has a fishy smell. It received a 5 star rating from dog food analysis.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri didn't like TOTW too much. Since I have switched to Fromm, she can't get enough...but all of the foods named in this discussion may be a good alternative for you. I might try what Adina said (adding some water). Try putting some green beans in - I serve Peri beans with her night feeding. Cut them up VERY small and heat for 30 seconds. Then mix them all around in her food - pieces stick to kibble and she eats it all. But Peri is not a picky eater really....