food suggestions for a picky puppy

[firesidecraft]

My 3mo old Shih-Poo, Lulu, is a very picky eater. I brought her home almost four weeks ago and she was then "eating" Chicken Soup For the Puppy's Soul. She hated it and was under-weight. I switched to Iams out of desperation and ignorance, which she sort of likes, but gives her soft stools. I went to the my local dog specialty store a week ago and was given a couple samples of Innova Evo, which I've been mixing with the Iams for a week now. She seems to like the Evo well enough, but after reading some of the threads about Innova I'm a little freaked out. She was pretty sick tonight, vomiting and whatnot. She hasn't been like that before. She's playing now and back to her normal self. I should also say that I mix in wet food (less than a tablespoon) with her kibble. I've been using Eagle Pack for puppy. She seems to like that just fine. Does anyone have any suggestions for a picky puppy with a picky system? My vet says I just have to ride it out until I find the right match. Frankly, I don't care about the expense of the food (wasting the food certainly does bother me, but I'll have to get over it!). FYI- she is no longer underweight, which is a relief! And has just gotten a clean bill of health from the vet.

[Prin]

Wow, you have to be really careful with all that switching. It's VERY hard on a doggy's system to switch that often and you might end up with endless diarrhea for "no" reason.

I say stick with one (not Iams) till the doggy adjusts completely. Changing the food all the time is creating a picky eater.

Try the Eagle Pack for at least a month and see what happens. She's on that now right? (No add-ons)

[firesidecraft]

She's getting the Eagle Pack wet food mixed in with the dry food, which I have been told by several different sources that it's ok, and even recommended (to help her put weight on). I know the Iams isn't the best for her, but it's the only thing she'll eat right now. And I don't want her to keep getting sick.
The Eagle Pack has vegetables in it and they are supposedly ground up, but I just found a whole pea in her poop (five minutes ago). I am at a loss....
Prin, you seem to have some very good advice. What can you suggest? I was going to pick up some Innova for puppies tomorrow, but I have read so much negative feedback about it tonight that I am afraid to go that route.

[Prin]

I'm not a fan of Innova based on what I have heard. People are either very against it or swear by it...

I'm a Solid Gold fan (their Bison and Salmon foods), especially for picky doggies. They make a large breed puppy food which I was told by the company can be given to smaller dogs without any long term trouble. Judging by my doggies' reaction, and the reaction of the doggies who are on this board who have tried it, it's tasty. Once the doggy becomes an adult, then there's the "Just a Wee bit" formula that is made for higher energy little doggies.
Solid Gold Wolf Cub
Solid Gold Just a Wee Bit (adult)

I also like the Merrick canned food. I use it once in a while as a treat on their food. So far the tastiest ones they've tried were the "Working dog Stew", "Campfire Trout Feast", "Cowboy Cookout", "Venison holiday Stew"... I guess all of them but Boo can't eat poultry, so we haven't tried those ones.

They also have a "puppy plate" wet food and a dry food too.

Merrick Puppy Plate Wet
Merrick Puppy Plate DRY

Merrick Canned food

I have to add though, you're not the first one to say that the peas aren't digested and I'm thinking they might just act as fiber to move things along... Maybe. Hope this all helps.

[firesidecraft]

I really appreciate your insight. I can't bear to see her sick! I'm used to big dogs that will eat anything (labs ), so my picky little dog is a new mystery for me!! They are so funny, these little loves of ours! I'll get her on the Solid Gold (providing she likes the taste!) eventually, there is a retailer very close to me. I'll take it a little slower so her system doesn't erupt on me again!!!

[Prin]

Good luck. My old lab used to eat anything too and now I have Mr Intolerance and Ms Allergies...

[Prin]

I just read in another thread about how food makes a difference in the tear stains (I never knew that), and by looking at those, I'd say it makes a HUGE difference. Your doggy looks great now! I like Merrick canned foods for quality and my doggies LOVE it. I'm glad that when you finally found a food that worked, it was a great one.

[shannonRN]

Those pics are really remarkable. What a difference!

[TheWhitePhoenix]

I've been trying to get my 5 mnth old to eat as he seems to turn his nose to almost everything except people food. When I opened up a can of merrick (Grammy's Pot Pie) I couldn't believe how much simular to people food it is. Made me want to try some myself. In only a weeks time his coat became shinier and softer.

I rescued him from a puppy mill up north in Ontario and Know this is gonna make everyone cringe but he was (supposodly) eating Old Roy....Adult food. I'm not very knowledgable on dog foods but even I knew something was wrong with that.

My only concern is that his stool is very dark....is that normal? They're a healthy form..no diareah or hardness....just dark.

Also I don't know if its because he is teething but he wont eat dry food so I cant give him the puppy food from Merrick. Is it ok to feed him the canned food?

In any case I find that Merrick rules. I want to add a picture, How do I do this?

[Prin]

New research says that dry food doesn't have more of an effect on tartar and plaque on teeth than wet as long as the quality is equal. Merrick is a great food, so I wouldn't worry about the teeth too much and your doggy is probably getting proper nutrition too.

As for pics, you have to go to "manage attachments" at the bottom of the reply screen and then browse your computer for pics. They have to be under 100kb though.