Need help with changing dog's food...

[Sharon_FL]

Thank you both so much for your replies! Both sites are very helpful. I was wondering... are dogs supposed to have a high protein diet? You mentioned yours got an itch from too high of one. Most of the 5 star diets I saw have very high protein in them.

As for Cesars being 'rich'... I don't know. My vet said it was 'rich'.. I guess she meant 'fat' content or just not so good for Lily. I just know I have to get her changed over asap. I know she is not going to starve. I never feed her people food, so I am good there, but I almost can not bear the thought of look of disappointment on her little furry face when her normal favorite food is not there.... I am sure you all know what I mean... *sigh*.. but I know it is for her own good.

Again, thanks so much for your help...
Sharon

[dab_20]

Lily sure is a cutie!!

It sounds like your Lily is a little more stubborn than my Molli, but Molli has always been picky. She's always been slightly underweight, wouldn't eat half her food.

Someone at the pet store I get my grain-free food from recommended I just add a little water to her kibble and let it soak until it's nice and mushy. She LOVES eating now! I can't believe the difference, she's now almost over weight! lol

I feed Acana Grasslands. I also give them the occasional dehydrated raw with their kibble. Have you tried that? It's like the consistency of thick oatmeal. They love it.

[Karen]

Remember when switching food, you can do it gradually - first day 3/4 old and 1/4 new, keep that up for a couple days, then half old and half new, keep that up for a couple days, then 1/4 old ... you get the idea, and that may help her accept the new stuff.

[wolfsoul]

I have to agree with Twisterdog. She won't starve herself. I've known dogs to take up to two weeks without eating, and finally give up and eat what is put in front of them. We wouldn't give our kid dessert every time he refused his dinner! Sometimes my dogs will go through picky stages too, but unless it's show season and they need fat on their bones, they can just be hungry until they eat it. I have my dogs on high fat/calorie food and they are free-fed, so if they do choose not to eat for a few days, it's easier for them to get the weight back on.

Have you tried Tripett? It's not meant to be a staple diet, just a supplement, but my dogs LOVE it. It's just canned tripe. I get the regular Beef Tripett because it is the smelliest. You might need a strong stomach -- it's pretty gross! You can get some and try mixing it in with whatever food you choose.
Have you tried a raw diet? Some dogs won't eat kibble but will eat raw. It's really the most natural thing for them.

[Freedom]

I was wondering... are dogs supposed to have a high protein diet? You mentioned yours got an itch from too high of one. Most of the 5 star diets I saw have very high protein in them.

The amount of protein depends on many things:
- young dogs need more as they are still growing and developing
- athletic dogs need more protein -- and I mean sled dogs, herding dogs, dogs that are really working a LOT

The grain free foods do tend to be high in protein.