Two Picky Eaters

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

All right guys, we have been doing research on this and have been getting nowhere.

Neither Georgia nor Coral really seem to be big eaters. We feed them frozen and freeze dried raw Primal and Stella and Chewies. We will also feed some Fromm with those. The only problem is that neither one will really eat. They will sometimes if we feed them out of our hand, but Coral will especially walk away after a few bites. I've always been under the philosophy of, "Let them eat for 15-20 minutes, and after the allotted time, take the food away." The only problem with that philosophy is that Georgia will throw up stomach bile in the morning if she doesn't eat in the morning and at night.We give them only a couple of small Primal treats a day, and feed them no table scraps or any other food. We have a variety of flavors for all foods, but sometimes they refuse all types. We've even tried egg, beef/rice, and ground chicken. If they don't want to eat, they won't take even the tastiest of food. Again, I wouldn't mind and would just let them eat when hungry if they didn't throw up. Any ideas or suggestions?

I don't believe in free feeding, as no esteemed person in the field recommends it.

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

We didn't know her limitations here. We definitely can "free drink" her.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ha ha.  Yes, start 'em early , I say....  :-}

[BG and Gavin]

Like!

[Moe]

I got into trouble giving my dog different canned food or boiled chicken or eggs on her food. She got so picky she just about stopped eating. I think it was the variety that made her picky. I quit cold turkey and just give her plain kibble now. I tried removing it after 20 minutes but after two weeks she had lost a significant amt of weight and was all bones. I now put down one cup in the AM. It might sit there til 3-4 in the afternoon but she does eat it. I put a second cup down around 6. She sometimes eats that one right away or may eat it around 9. Sometimes that meal stays til the morning. She has gained weight and I don't worry anymore.

[K and Racey]

We do free feed Racey. She has never been a chow hound. She wakes up every night in the middle of the night and eats. If she doesn't, then she throws up vile in the morning. She is a slim dog and def has the poodle body.

I'm not sure about the "no esteemed person in the field recommends it." I haven't read any solid research proving it is bad. Also, I believe in doing what works for you and your family. 

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

Cesar Millan says that a dog needs to work for their food, and both Dr. Ian Dunbar and Dr. Patricia McConnel feed their dogs at a certain time, not free feed. I misspoke and it wasn't my intention to offend anyone's personal feeding habits, I can only speak on what the dog behaviorists that I admire do. There is no conclusive evidence, and I have nothing against free-feeding, but because they don't I would like to stick to a schedule.

[K and Racey]

I'm certainly not offended. =)

Before Coral came was Georgia eating her food on schedule?

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

Rarely. We would usually have to hand feed her, which is strange because it was always after a 2 1/2 mile run/walk and a game of fetch. Maybe she just has to have more energy drained, but she never gets into eating...even after all day of no food and tons of exercise.

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

This is what I've found on Cesar's Way. I agree with it and I'm totally for doing it, again the only problem is that our youngest with throw up like clock-work if we don't give her a decently substantial amount food at night, and a little in the morning. We gave her some goat's milk last night before bed after she didn't eat her dinner and she still threw up. Funny thing is, Coral didn't eat either and was fine.

http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-nutrition/puppy-not-eating

[Alex/Mindy/Georgia/Coral]

Just to give a quick update -

A few days ago we went to St. Louis and got a new type of Primal called Pronto. It's frozen and comes in little pellets as opposed to patties and the girls absolutely love it! We may try the beef flavor, but for now we're just happy that they've eaten the duck for more than two meals. And it's not just that they eat it, but they scarf it down like someone's going to take it away from them. If anyone ever has a picky dog like us, I would suggest this food to them. It's costly, but definitely worth it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Alex, it is funny to me that dogs have brand preferences, but some do.  My chow hounds eat anything I call food, but my light eater who prefers to eat alone and in the dark, simply LOVES Orijen.