Picky Eater, What to feed???

[Berwoods]

Hello All,
Before I start, I want to let you know that I checked the boards the best I could before I wrote this. There was someone with a very similar issue to ours (Skillie) whose thread was very beneficial but I had some additional questions that I would really appreciate if you Newf experts could answer.
Willow was been a finicky eater since the day we brought her home. Originally we tried Nutro but the vet thought she could be allergic to it. She ate Kangaroo Iams, Eukanuba, and another brand for a bit but didnt prefer any of them. We know the worst thing you can do in any situation is keep switching her to new dog food because it further creates a finicky eater, but as a puppy she was underweight and we tried everything we could to get that up. I even cooked her meals for a while (Lean meat, rice, and vegetables) which she enjoyed, but they a really challenge for us to keep up and I worried that she wasnt getting adequate nutrition. Currently, she is on Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend, which she does not eat. We wet it, heat it, and she still ignores it unless she is just starving. Let me also note that she has an appetite. She begs and begs for people food so I dont think its a medical issue. She just wants to eat what we do, and shell refuse her dry food to the point that shes throws up in the morning from lack of food in her belly in hopes that ill give her something better.
To get to the point, I see that several of you use Orijen. Have you found success with picky eaters? Why have you made the switch? Also I see some information on pumpkin and probiotics that you add to your food. Im fasinated. What is everyone out there doing for their mealtimes? Has anyone else ever faced this problem and found something that worked? As a new newf owner with a skinny 10 month old newf, I really would like to find a system that works for her. Another thing I am amazed with is your portions. Our bag says Willow should be eat atleast 4 1/2 cups but most of you are only using 2 cups a day. Is this the issue? Maybe she just cant handle that much food?
I appreciate any information you guys may have on the issue!!!
Thanks a billion!!!!

 

[JackandKelly]

Lola was a very picky eater. She wouldn't touch straight kibble so we always added a little Honest Kitchen as a dressing. That worked for a couple days. Then she lost interest. Now since we add fresh meat, veggies and fruit to the kibble/Honest Kitchen mix she LOVES it. She scarfs down her food every meal. She particularly loves it when we add fresh peaches. Since her basic food remains the same, we just change the fresh meat and veggies part she stays interested and doesn't get an upset tummy. It takes very little meat and or veggies compared to the the rest of the food, but she can't wait for her meals now.

 

[Blacknewfs]

Neptune is an impossibly fussy eater -- he's turned down fillet mignon off the bbq. However, since switching to Orijen a few years ago he eats pretty much every meal -- we do rotate the variety of Orijen we feed though, so he isn't always eating the same kibble. The six fish is his least fave, he won't eat it for more than a few days in a row.

 

[SheilaT]

My boys are on a raw diet and we NEVER have anything left in the bowls. On kibble, Angus wasn't too thrilled. He will eat the 6 fish, however.

 

[charlieinnj]

I've always been fortunate that I've never had a dog that's a picky eater but to a degree, I do feel that if a dog is hungry enough and they're not going to get anything else other than what is in their bowl, they'll eventually eat it.

Ironically, my parents always lament that they have picky eaters but everytime youturn around, my Mom is giving them table food/scraps/etc.

When it comes to what pet food manufacturers recommend, to a certain extent, you have to realize they're in the business to sell food. I've never let a bag tell me how much to feed...I let each individual dog and their resulting appearance and their activity level be my guide.

I do feed Orijen 6-fish and Oliver loves it. I do rotate certain things in with a meal (sardines, salmon, veggies, fruits) but he never gets anything that I'm eating. Otherwise, I think it only ends up reinforcing begging and finickyness.

Because their site is down at the monent, I can't look up the review for the Purina line you're feeding Willow but if you get a chance, check this site out: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

How much does Willow weigh? At 10 months, she could just be going through that lanky period that all of them do.

 

[BlackLightning]

We have been lucky with Ayasha (almost 11 months). She isn't a picky eater. She is currently on the Orijen 6-fish (has been since we brought her home) and she LOVES it! I change it up quite often by mixing in different things like green beans, fruit, salmon, tripe, pumpkin, etc. She seems to eat it no matter what, but I like giving her some variety.

Around 6 months old she was getting chunky on 4 cups of Orijen a day (2 cups morning, 2 cups night). She has been on 2 1/2 cups with the above stuff mixed in and she looks great! At 11 months she's 98 lbs (has been 98 lbs for a couple months now). It will likely be some trial and error.

I really hope you find something that satisfies your girl! I can imagine how frustrating it can be trying to find something she likes and is healthy for her.

 

[Thule's Mom]

I call Orijen a miracle - plain and simple. My Thule is three years old and since I got her at 8 weeks, nothing but trouble when it came to food. We tried EVERYTHING available to us here in Newfoundland, good quality, better quality, best quality, superior quality, "designer dog foods" you name it we tried it. She would not eat kibble alone, I had to dress it up with my food to get her to eat, and always after a day or two she'd start refusing to eat again. She had trouble with allergies too. Skin allergies, respiratory allergies, and all discriptions of the various stages of "poop". Oh, an then there's the coat - it was awful after her surgery and the shaved parts weren't growing back.

When Orijen became available a few months ago, I bought some - totally sceptical that Thule would go near it. She's gone three days rufusing to eat and I feared I was in for more of the same.

I put the food on the floor, plain - no dressing up - she smelled it and ATE EVERY BITE! I was astonished, but I still thought she'd go off it in a few days. We're on our third bag of Orijen 6Fish. She eats it without fail, her allergies are gone and her coat is black and shiny.

Miracle - plain and simple!

 

[moose113]

Remington was an extremely picky eater and still is. After the first day we brought him home, he refused to eat kibble. We tried all different kinds of kibble. I tried begging him to eat. I put treats on his kibble. No dice. We finally worked out a canned fish and bread diet and he was on that for years. The only kibble he will eat is Orijen puppy. Even then, he doesn't eat consistently, so up until we brought Storm home a couple months ago, he was free fed. Since he would eat a lot one day and nothing the next couple days. I wanted the food to be available to him whenever he was hungry. He's always been on the thin side, but not in a unhealthy way.

 

[Angela]

Nicholas is the only picky eater I have ever had. I think he was poisoned in his past life:lol: He loves the Orijen Fish 6 though.

 

[Berwoods]

Wow Guys! You have been amazingly helpful! Its good to know I am not alone here!!!
Charlieinnj, yes Willow is 10 months old and weighs 90 lbs. And you are right, she is looking a bit lanky right now. I don't know if this is the right weight for her at this age but she isn't as skinny as she used to be. We are partially to blame for her finickiness because we did used to feed her table scraps (I know, such a TERRIBLE idea). Luckily we dont anymore. But, we have been adding wet food to her diet to keep her eating.
I think I am going to get through the bad we currently have and the wet dog food cans and then switch her over to Orijen. After all the testimonials on here, its definitely worth a purchase! I think this will help. If she wont eat it regularly, I will add some healthy additions as you guys mentioned above. I will stop feeding her as much, because obviously we are overfeeding her which may explain why she isnt eating everything! You guys have given me some great ideas in case these dont work!
Thanks again everyone! Feel free to continue to comment if you feel there is anything else that could be beneficial!

 

[Carlina]

My daughter's Newf Miley had to change foods about 10 times and she is just one year old. Either she was scratching or had very loose poos. Finally she put her on Orijen and she seems to be doing better still a bit of loose poos but it is getting better. She is eating 3 cups per day divided into two meals

 

[charlieinnj]

Is Orijen avaiable where you live? If so, I wouldn't wait another day to pick some up. I know things are expensive but Orijen offers an unconditional guarantee that if you don't like it, take it back for a full refund.

http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/about/ourGuarantee.aspx

If that ended up being the case, you'd still have her current food around as a backup.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

If she is 10 months old and she weighs 90 lbs she is FINE. I'd personally be worried about a Newf this age if it was chubby, it's normal for them to be lanky and growthy. "Only dogs"..the ones that have no competition...are more likely to be picky. I have a menu choice for my dogs....it's pretty simple. Here is your bowl and your dinner. Your menu choices are...eat it or don't. But if they chose not to eat it...they don't get any goodies. If they eat well, then I'm not against allowing them to have other stuff, but only if they have eaten their regular meal FIRST.

 

[M & M's Mom Linda]

We feed our boys Orijen but I do add some table scraps...leftover lean meat, veggies, fruits, scambled eggs, rice or oatmeal etc. I only add 2-3 tablespoons but did feed a report that said human table food might help prevent bloat. I hate to waste and since I don't add much and I am picky what to add I don't think it is always wrong to add *table scraps*

 

[Pipelineozzy]

I don't disagree with table scraps either, in fact, rarely throw away any leftovers that the dogs would enjoy..and I even give them the trimmings off steak and things that I take off before cooking it for us. But if I had a picky dog...(which I don't, the nine Newfs here would eat shine off their bowls if they knew how)..I would restrict leftovers etc. till after meals, or the picky dog will sometimes hold out for the leftovers! Right now is apple time here...my brother in law gives me buckets of them..and they each wait patiently after their meals for their apple!! (Except one..who takes it in his mouth, and then EJECTS it across the room..as if to say...that's a damn APPLE..I don't DO fruit!)It makes me laugh every time, because he still TAKES the apple every day..afraid he might miss something if he doesn't. It's a race to see who gets the projectile apple. I honestly don't have a problem with most table scraps at all unless the dog refuses their regular food..and if they will eat WITH table scraps, I'd give them without blinking. They REALLY like leftover chicken noodle soup on their oatmeal lol.

 

[M & M's Mom Linda]

Awwww...it is pear season in our yard and the boys know they each get to have a pear when they go out to do their business. Max and Marcus run out...grab a pear and lay down for a long munch. If they try to take a second...which Marcus always does...they are reminded...1 each! So funny because Max will not eat any fruit offered in the house but loves the wild pears!
I agree...my dogs don't get table scraps to make them eat their kibble but rather as a tasty additive.

 

[victoria1140]

We switched Beau onto Orijen just last week due to serious stomach problems he has had this year. Since switching him we are seeing major signs of improvement.If you find your furkid annot cope with the high protein of Orijen then Acana is made by the same company with a lower protein level and is rated a five star on dogfood analysis.

Have you tried adding tripe (minced or chunks) to it as even our finicky eater goes mad for it.

I have a gsd who is an extremely picky eater and almost has to be hand fed at times to make her eat something. She was an extremely bad resue case and has had lots of issues. She would eat human food but only pick at her dried food. We added a bit of canned meat /fish/ tripe to her food to make her eat and at least show some interest.
We found out by accident that if we add either tripe or cat food to her dried she goes at it like nothing on earth , I dont know if its the smell or taste and I dont reccomend it for everyone but for her it works and its more important for us to not give her any more food issues or problems than she has already.

Also we add some hot water to their kibble to bring out the smell , some people heat it up in the microwave first

 

[noblenewf]

My Newf, Gabe, was always a picky eater. For the first year and a half of his life he wouldn't eat any kibble we placed in his bowl...no matter how wonderful it was...without some sort of coaxing or with something added. You know what finally fixed the problem? We got our Golden, Murphy. Murphy is a chow hound...plain and simple. He would eat dirt if you threw it in his dish. I took some advice of fellow Newf Netters. Put the food in the dish...set it down...they get 15 minutes to eat. If they don't eat...it gets picked up. My boys eat the second their dishes hit the floor. It's gone in 5 minutes flat. I was astonished by this behavior in Gabe...because as a puppy he would REFUSE to eat at times...going days without eating but a kibble here and there. Honestly, getting another dog...who eats well...has solved the problem. Because Gabe quickly learned that if he didn't eat his food, Murphy would happily take on that task. ;-)
As far as the foods you have tried thus far, and this is just my opinion, but they are not of high nutritional quality. I would try some more holistic foods out there. There are lots to choose from. We've had awesome results with Orijen and Nature's Variety. Also with Eagle Pack. But there are lots and lots of great kibbles out there. Do some reading on the net. I think you'll find that the higher quality kibble you feed...the less health problems and vet visits you will incur.
Good luck.

 

[SunnyD]

Let me hop on the Orijen bandwagon!

Sunshine went 8 days once because she refused to eat her kibble. I have tried so many I have lost count. She eats her 6fish immediately. She gets 3/4 of a cup twice a day. We have never looked back. I also feed a supplement and use salmon oil. Her coat is glorious and no more yeast infections.

I would run to the store and try a bag. Because it is so calorically dense, they need less. Also with no filler, you get smaller poop! Pro Plan while better than some and a lot of newfs do well on it still has some filler. It is not as dense of a food so they need more. That was why you feed more. Make sense?

 

[R Taft]

Have you tried RAW...........One of my friends had a picky Labrador (yes hard to believe) She changed to Eagle Holistic, Salmon, Sardines etc and Raw meat and her dog loves it