[luv_pets_vet2b]

I have a picky 3-year-old Pekingese. We want him to eat a dry dog food called Purina One for Sensitive Systems. We want him to eat dry dog food because it is cheaper and cleaner. Unfourtunantly, he won't eat it! And we never feed him table scraps. Are there any tips on getting him to eat it other than saturating it with gravy?

[JudyKayTee]

I'm curious why you think dry dog food is cleaner and cheaper.

And, yes, I have two dogs and they have - in the past - absolutely refused to eat one certain brand, preferring another.

[Aurora_Bell]

You could try a better brand of food. Purina isn't the best of dry foods, but I understand if it's a money thing. Commercial brands are filled with fillers and by products, and shouldn't be consumed by any living thing ;)

I like Holistic foods, and if you live near a manufacturer you can find them at a reasonable price.

If you would like to stick with Purina, then just keep offering it. Your dog won't starve himself. He will eventually eat. What were you feeding him before?

[luv_pets_vet2b]

Wet dog food is cleaner because (I think) when you scrape it out of the can, another spoon to wash. He also has a very sensitive system, so if he eats a certain dog food (wet or dry) he vomits it all up.

[Wondergirl]

Aren't there any other choices for him? My son wouldn't eat broccoli, but would eat cauliflower.

[Aurora_Bell]

Wet dog food is cleaner because (I think) when you scrape it out of the can, another spoon to wash. He also has a very sensitive system, so if he eats a certain dog food (wet or dry) he vomits it all up.

Is he eating it too fast? What were you feeding him before hand? Would you consider another brand, perhaps a better quality food? Or what about a BARF diet? Or home made dog food?

[shazamataz]

My dogs don't eat dry food. They will have a nibble at it for breakfast, maybe a cup between all 3 of them but that's it. They get wet food for dinner.

In a small dog wet food is fine for dinner as long as they do get something crunchy through the day to help keep their teeth clean, whether it be dry biscuits or bones.

How would you like eating the same hard, crunchy food every day for every meal? I know I wouldn't.

You can buy rehydratable dryfood, it looks like just plain dry food but when soaked in water it becomes mushy very quickly.
You can also get varieties t hat make their own gravy when water is added.

[luv_pets_vet2b]

Aren't there any other choices for him? My son wouldn't eat broccoli, but would eat cauliflower.

My aunt has a dog with a sensitive system, and she has acid reflux, so she is on perscription dog food, and she gave us a HUGE:eek: bag of Purina that her dog can't eat any more, so we wanted to use it all.

[luv_pets_vet2b]

My aunt has a dog with a sensitive system, and she has acid reflux, so she is on perscription dog food, and she gave us a HUGE:eek: bag of Purina that her dog can't eat any more, so we wanted to use it all.

OOPS! My aunt doesn't have acid reflux, her dog does.:D

[Cat1864]

What does your vet say about changing his diet? What is good for one dog may not be for another depending on what is wrong with the animal's system. Your pup may be trying to tell you that this food doesn't sit well on his stomach.

How are you trying to change over to the 'new' food? If he has a sensitive stomach you do not want to make a quick change because it will cause even more upset to his digestive tract.

You should change to a new food by mixing it with his old. Starting with more old than new and gradually decreasing the old and increasing the new.

A trick that might work is to make him think you are eating the food. When he become interested in what you are 'eating' give him his bowl.

[luv_pets_vet2b]

A trick that might work is to make him think you are eating the food. When he become interested in what you are 'eating' give him his bowl.

I tried it. Nada. I AM thinking about changing his diet...:(

[De Maria]

I have a picky 3-year-old Pekingese. We want him to eat a dry dog food called Purina One for Sensitive Systems. We want him to eat dry dog food because it is cheaper and cleaner. Unfourtunantly, he won't eat it! And we never feed him table scraps. Are there any tips on getting him to eat it other than saturating it with gravy?

Well there is nothing wrong with the food your offering him. Purina is a respectable brand that has been around for many years.

So, it either has to do with your relationship with the dog or with his health.

I can't help you if its his health. You might want to take the dog to the vet and have him checked for worms or other problems which the vet could inform you might be causing the problem.

That leaves the last possibility. It might have to do with your relationship with the dog.

Let me ask you a few questions to determine if this is the case:

1. Do you treat your dog as though he is your child?
2. Does your dog exhibit any destructive/aggressive behaviour? Examples:
* does he charge the door aggressively when people visit?
* does he attack other dogs that he meets on the street when you walk him?
* does he pull you when you take him on a walk? (In other words, does he walk you?)
* does he destroy parts of the house/furniture when you leave him alone?

If you treat your dog as though he is human or if your dog exhibits any of these behaviours, then he is being finicky because he believes he is the pack leader and he decides what he wants to eat.

In order to correct this relationship, you must prove to the dog that he is the follower and you are the leader. At which time he will eat whatever you give him because he will know that you are the decision maker.

He will not only be physically healthier, but he will be mentally healthier and so will all those who come into association with him.

You might want to read these books:
Amazon.com: cesar milan pack leader

And/or check out this website:
Cesar Millan's Official Website | Achieving balance between people and dogs.

[Wondergirl]

So, it either has to do with your relationship with the dog or with his health.

They got the food as a hand-me-down. The dog doesn't need this kind of food for GERD (that he doesn't have). Someone suggested they mix the food with his regular food and gradually introduce it, rather than offering only the "new" food that the dog doesn't like.

[luv_pets_vet2b]

1. Do you treat your dog as though he is your child? Kind of
2. Does your dog exhibit any destructive/aggressive behaviour? Examples:
* does he charge the door aggressively when people visit? No
* does he attack other dogs that he meets on the street when you walk him? To sniff like crazy!
* does he pull you when you take him on a walk? (In other words, does he walk you?) no
* does he destroy parts of the house/furniture when you leave him alone? Oh, no!Nope

[Aurora_Bell]

I'm not sure where De Maria was going with those questions, and I definitley am not sure what separation anxiety would have to do with your dog not liking a specific brand of food, but have you made any head way with your dog?

Have you tried mixing it with another brand or simply not offering him anything else?

[De Maria]

1. Do you treat your dog as though he is your child? Kind of

That's probably the problem right there. Treating a dog like a human being is not healthy for the dog.

Your name says, "vet 2b". Are you studying veterinary medicine? If so, does that include classes on dog psychology?

Learning a bit about dog psychology will improve your relationship with your pets and in many cases their health as well. And I don't see how it can hurt your intended career.

Sincerely,

[luv_pets_vet2b]

Your name says, "vet 2b". Are you studying veterinary medicine?

Kind of studying, not fully. Yet. :o I did volenteer at a clinic this summer.;)

[De Maria]

Kind of studying, not fully. Yet. :o I did volenteer at a clinic this summer.;)

Great! You ought to try the dog psychology stuff when you're there. I'm serious. The vets that I've known and their assistants have appeared as oblivious to what dogs are communicating in there body language as anyone else.

I began studying from books. But I didn't quite get the hang of it until I saw my first Cesar Millan video. You might want to check it out and then try it out at the clinic.

Don't put yourself at risk though. Cesar takes too many chances with the aggressive dogs.