Need help with picky eater

[dr.memmie]

In April I was offered a rescue newfie thought to be somewhere between 5 and 8 years old. Her name is Savannah. What I know of her history is that she was tied up in a yard (maybe as long as 2 years). She was 59 lbs when found and tested positive for heartworms. The rescue folks got her weight up to 93 lbs and gave her the heartworm treatment. She had a bad reaction to the treatment and went back to the doctor. I saw her that weekend and she was doing better. The next weekend I saw her again and she wasn't eating and was listless. A week later I was told that she'd been raced to the hospital and that the foster family thought she'd died until they saw her eye move. At that point she was covered with ticks and maggots, tested positive for Lyme disease, and was anemic. They started her on lots of meds and shaved off most of her hair. She stayed with a vet tech from the hospital until she was well enough for me to bring her home with me June 9th. At that time she weighed 82.5 lbs. I was told that she liked hot dogs and that she was eating IAMS in the green bag.

Since she's been with me, it's been a constant struggle to get her to eat. I started with the IAMS in the green bag. She wasn't interested. I tried hot dogs and she was interested for a couple of days.

I've tried everything I can think of or been told to do. I added cottage cheese to her IAMS. I added yogurt. I added canned dog food. I added green beans, corn, limas, peas, hot dogs.

I've tried different flavors and brands of dog food.

I've tried taking up her food after 15 minutes and not feeding her anything until the next meal time. She's gone as long as 4 days without eating.

Her weight has remained in the low 80's and she's skin and bones. The vet says she's looking well and that she thinks she feels a layer of muscle under her skin. I think what the vet feels is Savannah's fur growing out. The vet said to keep the diet low fat, low salt, and low sugar. I know not to give Savannah onions, chocolate, grapes, and raisins.

Savannah has always been interested in whatever I'm eating. A month ago I told the vet I was giving up and would feed her whatever it took to get her to eat.

I read up on homemade dog food and started feeding her a diet of rice, mixed veggies, and boiled chicken. At first she ate every meal and asked for more. A week ago she started turning up her nose at her food again.

I've changed to a different meat and she ate pork for a couple of days. Now I'm back to chicken and she's not interested again. Our next batch of food will be turkey. I thought she may need variety and changed from mixed veggies to chopped broccoli which worked for a day or two.

When she gets picky about her food, I can usually get her to eat by pouring milk on her food, but I understand that milk can give her diarrhea and she has had some very soft bowel movements, but so far no accidents in the house.

What I need to know is what proportion of her food should be rice or pasta, what proportion should be veggies, and what proportion should be meat?

I've read that dogs need a consistent diet and that changing their food too often isn't good. Savannah seems to want a change of food every day or so. What should I do?

I've also been told to give her raw chicken. She was unimpressed.

I am so glad to have found this forum today. I would appreciate any and all assistance and advice.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Welcome to the board! Savannah sure is lucky to have found you, as you seem really dedicated to turning her life around. You have apparantly tried a lot of variety of foods, but have you tried experimenting with the type of bowl you use, where it is located in the house, or the height of the bowl. One of my dogs refused to eat for a while, and it took me a while to realize that I had switched to a metal bowl and his tags were banging on the bowl when he ate, scaring him. A friend had a similar problem, and relocated the feeding dish to a different part of the kitchen, where the dog was more comfortable. If you are using a raised feeder and she is not used to it, then that may be throwing her off. I would try different feeders and locations and see if you see a difference. Good luck!

 

[dr.memmie]

Thank you all so much for the advice and encouragement. I'm the one who feels lucky. Savannah is a wonderful dog. I had wanted a Newfie for 10 years before I got her and, except for worrying about her eating, I couldn't be happier.

I've moved her bowls from by the wall in the kitchen to nearer the door because she doesn't like the kitchen floor. I also added some indoor/outdoor rugs so she can stand in the doorway of the kitchen without slipping so much. I didn't mention it earlier, but she also has very bad dysplasia in both hips. I was told to raise the bowls by putting them on pails. I have huge plastic bowls so the sound isn't a problem. I've noticed that she's much more likely to eat if her bowl is clean. When I was in a hurry I tried just dumping food in her bowl a couple of times without washing it and could tell she didn't like that.

I appreciate the ideas about location, height, and type of bowl. It'll give me more variables to consider. Maybe it'll help me come up with another solution.

Thanks also for the information on ratios. I think I may have been too heavy on the rice and too light on the meat. I'll cook less rice this time to go along with the turkey I boiled up yesterday. We'll see how that goes. I also think I'll go back to mixed veggies this time.

 

[FuzzyDustBunnies]

Is it possible that even after the months you've had her, she's stressed? She's been through an awful lot...different homes, health issues, going from an outdoor to an indoor dog. I'm sure your home is so much different than where she came from. Even my dog will not eat well when he stays with someone else. He'll eat people food for them, but refuses his food.
Don't know if this could be one of the reasons, but it's a different angle to ponder. Hopefully it's something that all it will take is time and TLC.

 

[dr.memmie]

I have wondered about her being stressed, but don't think she is. She's very laid back. She sleeps on her back with one paw over her eyes or behind her head. I've heard that dogs under stress don't sleep on their backs. Do you know whether that's true?

 

[Jeannie]

Melani,

I am in the same boat as you. I have an newf that is 11 1/2 and she simply refuses to eat. I posted to newf-tech and I got many replies. One of the most informative was from a lady that adopts or fosters newfs over the age of 8. She said that as newfs age they get very picky on what they eat. (Many of the responses said this) She did suggest a few things. First corn muffins made with Jiffy mix only add extra sugar. Put honey on them. Buttered or cheese noodles. Lots of people recommended mac and cheese. I was told that they like different foods-to try cheap foods like kibble and bits. Eating cheap foods is better than not eating at all. Basically I was told by many people let them eat WHAT EVER they want to eat. Sara loves her biscuts. So I give her 3-4 biscuts (however many she will eat) 3 times a day. I try to offer a variety of foods at each meal, but usually I end up giving in and letting her eat her biscuts. (what she don't eat I incorperate into my other newfs next meal) She will also eat beef jerky treats and pupperoni treats. I give her all she wants. If not she has gone DAYS without eating. Giving her junk food is better than nothing I have been told. If I am eating something and she wants it--she gets it and more. Oh I was told Big Macs are a favorite also. Cheese seems to be a favorite also. Tagaments before each meal may rule out heartburn she may be having.

I also had Sara x-rayed because of a high calcium level in her blood (a sign of bone cancer---but none was found at this time ) and the vet found that she had air pockets in her intestine. This has nothing to do with bloat. She is taking a pill 30 minutes before each meal, but I have seen no difference in her appitite.

I also talked with a person that I consider an expert on newfs. She has been into newf for many years and I admire and trust her opinion. She said as newf age they tend to loose muscle tone. She said her older newfs are on Winstol V. (This is the illegal drug that body builders uses to enhance their muscles.) I talked to my vet and she suggested that we put Sara on it. It should also increase her appitite, but it will be a while before we know. But it will help her muscle tone.

If you want you can email me privately and we can talk about other options or exchange ideas. it is good to know that someone else is dealing with the same issues that I am.

Good luck. I know how frustrating it is begging your newf to eat. AND when they do start to eat I don't dare breathe in case is distracts her. Keep me posted

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I once read somewhere that when a dog sleeps on it's back, that it is being totally submissive and totally relaxed with it's situation. When a dog is on it's back it is totally vulnerable to attack, since all animals try to protect their soft belly. So to lay on their backs, they must be very comfortable and trusting of their surrounding. Savannah must be relaxed and accepting of her new environment.
You are cooking her such wonderful meals, but considering her background, she may be used to supermarket quality dog food. It is probably going to take her a while to get used to her new life. She has gone from being outside eating the "sale of the week" dog kibble to a new wonderful life indoors with gourmet meals. As strange as it may seem, her new life may take a little getting used to. She will come around and for all you know, she may have always been a picky eater.

 

[dr.memmie]

I really appreciate all this help. It's good to know there are so many out there who are willing to share knowledge and experience.

Savannah is on cosequin-ds and gets a shot every month to help with her hips. She gets a walk every morning and every afternoon. They told me that she was so weak and so thin that I should begin by walking to the next driveway and back and to do that for several days before I increased it--making sure that I wasn't asking her to go farther than she was ready to.

The cosequin-ds does seem to be making a difference. When she first came home with me, they told me that she wasn't able to sit. She could stand and lie down. In fact, when she lies down she goes down front first. Since we started her on the cosequin-ds, she is sitting down and has been able to get into my volvo twice without help. Today two children were playing in my front yard while we were outside and for the first time she got up and wanted to jump and play with them. I was sorry I had to stop her because she's too big for the children who are 8 and 4. The rescue folks told me that they'd had bad experiences with hip replacement and, given her age, it's probably not a good idea. They suggested building up her muscles with exercise. So the walks are essential. Plus, she's a creature of habit and even when I don't feel like walking, she insists on going out. I hadn't thought of a connection between days when we have taken shorter walks and her not eating, but I pulled a muscle in my back or pinched a nerve or something Saturday a week ago and we've taken shorter walks since then and she has been a picky eater off and on all week. I'll have to keep an eye on this.

I mixed up a batch of food tonight with the suggested ratio of 1/3 each of grain, veggies, and meat (turkey this time). She cleaned her bowl. She hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. I later gave her some peaches and she ate them as well. When she eats her dinner, I give her a large dog biscuit -- Old Mother Hubbards. A friend brought her a welcome basket of goodies from a gourmet dog store and she has eaten all of it except for the black dog biscuits.

I've been trying to get her to eat nutritious meals and haven't been ready to indulge a picky eater with junk food. That would have to be a last resort. I'm worried about increasing her health and want to make sure she gets the necessary nutrients to help her recuperation.

We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

 

[BigBear]

I think you've gotten some wonderful replies! I also wanted to suggest Bil-Jac frozen food...our Newfs inhaled it like it was going out of style. It's a bit expensive, but worth a try maybe?

Good luck!

 

[brady]

Melani, I have no words of wisdom, but I wanted to say how much I admire what you are doing and welcome!

 

[dr.memmie]

Thanks so much for the encouragment. I'm happy to report that when I took Savannah to the doctor yesterday afternoon, she weighed over 90 lbs. The doctor was thrilled with how well Savannah is doing.

As for her eating habits. She has done better now that I've increased the amount of meat and reduced the amount of rice, but when I took a chance and fixed her food with turkey two batches in a row, I erred. I should have changed the meat again.