Is there a Dog food out there that dogs like?

[Tennesseegirl]

Im looking for a good dog food.. that dogs actually like! I have two english springer spaniels and they are so picky!
I have tried......

lifes abundance
flint river
raw instink
I even tried raw feeding.. I have one that just loved it.. and the other... told me it was just crazy!! lol.. Im going to have a baby real soon.. and need to find something fast.. oh.. I also have tried alot of the store brands too..
I just wish I could find something they actually like.. any help would be great...

[patty_cakes]

I had a similar problem with my dog.  First of all you need to go to a web site called www.truthaboutpetfood.com and understand all the ingredients in pet food. Take the bag of food and see if any of the ingredients are corn, wheat, soy because they are the most common  to cause allergies in your dog.  Symptoms like licking between the toes, gnawing on the feet and legs, intestinal upset, patches of  fur missing, sore spots on the skin, scratching and no sign of fleas.  Then check and see if there is any animal fat, tallow and meat meal, because these ingredients are processed dead dogs, cats and other animal materials, zoo animals, road kill, dead,diseased, dying and decaying livestock, plus even worst stuff.  Then check your chemical preservatives.  BHA BHT, Proplene glycol and ethoxyquin all promote liver and kidney problems, seizures and cancer.  In order to feed a food that doesn't have these ingredients you will have to find a Super Premium pet food or go organic.  They may be a bit more expensive, but well worth it in the long run you'll have less vet bills and and avoid the heartache of a sick pet.  I found on the web www.naturesselectpet food.com and found a distributor in my area and they deliver to my house for free, which I would think would be an added benefit for you.  My dog is in the best shape ever and he is 12 years old.  I hope you can find a food your dog likes that is healthy.

[mikaljackson]

I have two dogs one is german sheperd and other is bullmistiff .I feed them Chicken, chicken meal,ground rice, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherals), egg product, beet pulp, natural chicken flavor, fish meal,dried chicory root in two times a day .You can also try these dog food for your dog.

[mama_02]

try putting chicken broth (no sodium) on the dog food.  I buy the kind in the jar and mix it w/water myself.   He was so picky he would eat none or only partial.  I had to give him insulin shots so he had to eat for sure.  anyway, ever since i drizzled the chicken broth over it he just scarfs it up!  

[Tennesseegirl]

great info john.. thanks

I had a dog die of cushions a few years ago.. and later found out.. its because of some foods not found in her diet started the cushions. so Im a freak now with what breed dogs require certian foods.

love the idea of the table... need to try that right away..

bought some blue buffalo today.. will try it tomorrow

thank you all

[jdansti]

One more thing - Be sure to rule out any mouth or other medical problems.  Sometimes a tooth ache, a mouth sore, or some other medical issue can cause lack of appetite.

OK - Two more things-

Location: Does the finicky dog act differently if its food bowl is near the other dog's bowl while the other dog is eating?  How about separated, possibly in another room?  

OK - Three more things-

I found that sometimes I can start a finicky dog with hand feeding, and then get them interested enough to eat out of the bowl.

That last suggestion just made me think of another -

You might try different bowls-  Sometimes  a "special" bowl might work.  

Last suggestion - I promise-

If your dog has had a taste of table food, place the dog food on the table while you eat your meal.  When you are finished with your meal, try hand feeding using the dog food from the table.  If that works, gradually transition to the dog bowl on the floor.

John

[jdansti]

We have one finicky dog.  I've had great success with sprinkling a little parmesan cheese on her food.  It is low fat and you only need to use a tiny amount.  We buy the cheapest economy packages - the dogs don't care who makes it.

The other option I learned from a trainer is to place the food down for 20 minutes and pick up whatever is left.  Feed the remainder at a later time using the same 20 minute time limit.  Eventually the dog will eat.  When you start doing this, it won't hurt the dog to go a day or two without eating, just make sure they always have water.  You might also try (if you aren't already) combining the above with feeding them on a routine schedule so that they get in the mood to eat at the same time each day.

John

[Tennesseegirl]

thank you... I will try some of those ideas.. Im willing to try anything these days.. just to have things easyier for me.

[turtledovemom]

Hello!
We've had our guys on the Iams formulas that are appropriate for them.  We've got a 12 yo Black Lab girl who needs to watch her figure, and our Saint Bernard is on adult large breed.  He's been on Iams since we got him as a pup.  We found their puppy offerings to be good.  If your pups are really fussy, consider mixing in one of their pouches or a half-can.  Our Saint isn't a fussy eater, but we have him on the Iams dry (we mix with water so that it doesn't expand to much in his tummy), mixed in with a half-can, 2x daily.  Good luck and keep us posted!
peace,
Anne

[HElmore]

Yes , Blue Buffalo. We have 3 very picky Basset Hounds and they love it. It's all natural and has real meat in it and is available at Petsmart. Good luck!

[Tennesseegirl]

smile.. they are 2 and 3 year olds.. Just very spoild and now with the baby on the way.. trying to toughen them up some..

yea.. It was my bad.. and now need to find a good. natural food for them they like.. yikes.
so far life abundance is the only one that one will eat.. with alittle melted cheese...lol.. so I think you have a good start for the puppy.. Just dont mess it up like I did..

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

wow, wish you luck are they puppies? i get a 8 week shihtzu today and shes on puppy chow but have ordered the lifes abundance hoping she will eat it being so young i hope shes takes to it, am like you my other would only eat human food so i know thats not to good for them so trying hard to get this little girl on a good balance food she can be on for like. have you gone to a pet smart they have lots natureal food to try , have you tried that billy jack i think what they call it . good luck let me know what you fine i know they can be very picky, my little boy was and only ate boiled chiken i did for him every week, hot dogs etc things not good for him but its all he would eat from a baby, i tried to get him on dog food but he would go a week without eating so i had no choice. congrats on baby i see you on the pg site i go there oftonto see whos had their angel. Barbara