so my dog won't eat kibble...

[maigrey]

This might be classic but its a bit of a nightmare, my dog won't eat kibble. He turns his head at any kibble I've held out to him and holds out for stuff that is actually meat/tastes like meat. Unless my food is like 9 parts canned and 1 part kibble, he's not gonna eat it...argh

[technodoll]

smart dog

any reason you would not consider raw feeding?...

[maigrey]

well I wouldn't mind sticking to cans too much...but his stool really isn't that solid and I think more dry food would help, that and I'm really not experianced enough to work on raw feeding but I might have to if I have no alternative.

[technodoll]

proper raw feeding normally produces wonderfully hard, compact, small and non-smelly stools, keeps the teeth bright white & gums healthy (can't say the same for canned foods!), plus a ton of other health benefits... if you want more info on "how to" - and it's INCREDIBLY easy! - let me know!

[maigrey]

its worth a try, and I wanna see my dog happy, hit me.

[Prin]

What canned are you feeding? If it's holistic, it could be that you're feeding too much. Try cutting down a bit to see if that helps.

Also, if it's a new thing, it could be that the doggy is just not fully adjusted yet. Or if it's an old thing, it could have ingredients the doggy can't tolerate (just like with some kibbles).

There's nothing wrong with feeding only canned. It doesn't make the teeth worse or anything if you keep the quality up.

[technodoll]

hello maigrey,

here are some resources to get you started... if you have any specific questions on my personal experiences, you can PM me if you like

best forum to join:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/

stuff to read:
http://www.geocities.com/havens_home/feedraw.htm

Carrie's site, and Carissa's "myths" pages there. Definitely a MUST read site, this one:
http://rawfed.com

Kevin's site is wonderfully illustrative:
http://www.rawfeddogs.net

Sabrina's site:
http://www.geocities.com/havens_home/feed.htm

Sylvie's site:
http://members.home.nl/zuhorn/feeding_raw.htm

Tammy's site:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/tamgarbox...ted_Links.html

[Prin]

But canned is good too.

[technodoll]

prin... no it isn't for a variety of reasons, none of which i will go into at this time, LOL

[Prin]

But it is good for a variety of other reasons, which I won't get into at this time either.

[technodoll]

yah, ok! i'm too sick with bronchitis right now to think straight... hence the avoidance of serious talk! sigh. (sorry no thread hijack i promise)

[maigrey]

Let's all just agree that both canned and raw feeding are better than Science Diet. In this case my dog is just not even willing to eat merrick canned food, hence I'm sorta left with no choice except for raw feeding.

[technodoll]

have you tried offering your dog raw meat & bones yet? at all?... just curious. some dogs don't like raw, but most take to it like crazy...

[Prin]

Originally Posted by technodoll

yah, ok! i'm too sick with bronchitis right now to think straight... hence the avoidance of serious talk! sigh. (sorry no thread hijack i promise)

Sorry for the bronchitis... At least it's sunny and warm today. Don't worry, you don't have to explain- I'm just messin'.

[muckypup]

Your dog is just doing what works for him. If he doesn't eat his kibble you give him canned (bonus) and it's no big deal if he doesn't eat for a few days. For the most part his body and digestive system is made up like that of a wolf. Wolves don't eat a couple times a day, closer to a couple times a week, or when they can.
Here's what I would teach him...
Offer his kibble for 10-15 minutes and then pick up the bowl. If he eats it, good, if he doesn't, oh well. No treats if he doesn’t eat his dinner. He’s not going to starve himself, he will eat when he has to and he will learn that if he wants to eat he has to do it when you put the bowl down for 10 mins and eat whatever you put in the bowl.

[rainbow]

Maigrey...

1. What breed of dog?
2. How old is your dog?
3. What brands of kibble have you tried?

[coppperbelle]

Originally Posted by muckypup

Your dog is just doing what works for him. If he doesn't eat his kibble you give him canned (bonus) and it's no big deal if he doesn't eat for a few days. For the most part his body and digestive system is made up like that of a wolf. Wolves don't eat a couple times a day, closer to a couple times a week, or when they can.
Here's what I would teach him...
Offer his kibble for 10-15 minutes and then pick up the bowl. If he eats it, good, if he doesn't, oh well. No treats if he doesn’t eat his dinner. He’s not going to starve himself, he will eat when he has to and he will learn that if he wants to eat he has to do it when you put the bowl down for 10 mins and eat whatever you put in the bowl.

I agree. Your dog will eventually eat what you offer him if he sees he is not getting anything else. He has figured out that if he turns his nose up to something you offer him, something tastier will show up in his dish. My mother has done this with all her dogs. Eventually it becomes a full time job trying to find something her dog will eat. She is retired and has the time but it is very stressful. I know this is not a problem with the dog but with my mother because this has happened with all her dogs.