Staffie feeding problems

[sosumi]

Hey all,
Well I know I am at fault, but here goes.

My Staffordshire bull terrier, Kia is about 4 yrs old, and when she was a pup i started feeding her my food.
BAD MISTAKE.

Ever since she has hated dog food and I have had alot of trouble making her eat.
i dont do much cooking so its rare i can give her leftovers or cook for her.

Anyways, over the years, i have tried everything available, raw meat, bones, food, gourmet dog food, everything. She eats that for a day or so then isnt interested till another time.

I have seen her leave dog food there for 3 days without touching it and i am forever throwing away food she refuses to eat, she looks at it and isnt interested.
Over the years i have gotten more careless, i must admit, because i know she snubs her nose at everything i give her and i figured she cant starve because she would eat if she was hungry.

Realistically, she eats very little as each week goes by.
she is a beatiful and very obedient girl, who almost never ever barks.

I was having a good look at her today and she is quite skinny and i am becoming concerned.

I know variation is the key, but she is so fussy, i have asked numerous staffie owners what they feed there dogs and i no-one has ever had the feeding issues i have.

Last year i had a friends dog for 6 months and when i feed them each nite, my friends dog ate everything he could and then ate the rest the next day, i dont even think my dog cared.


Any suggestions on sure fire way to get her to eat and plump up a bit ??

Regards,
Chris.

[barnjess]

OK what makes have you tried feeding her? Have you tried mixing minced meat, yoghurt etc with kibble? Are you sure there isn't a medical reason for her lack of appetite? Such as a tooth problem. And when you feed her your food was it in her own bowl, or by hand? Bacause if you feed by hand then but a bowl down with dog food in it she is more likely to refuse to eat it

[BratBoxers]

here is a site for a weight gainer recipe she should love it as to picky eater I dont know what to tell you maybe try a brand of kibble she likes and just get a couple different flavors to keep her surprised also try feeding her some Innova brand dog food every picky eater I have ever given it to has eat it up. good luck.
http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/diet4.htm

[Dax]

I gather she will eat human food. Perhaps all you need to do is add boiled vegtables to her dog food. If they are still warm, they will warm up the dog food and make it more appealing.

Other things that I've found that worked, is some grated cheese sprinkled in with the kibble. You can buy it already grated and a tablespoon will go a long way.

[sosumi]

Thanks for yr quick responses.
barnjess, i have tried all the brands of dog food available, and she does eat them, eventually, but i know its not by choice.
Yoghurt ? never tried that, she like cereal tho, weet bix and milk, but i dont know how often she should eat that kinda food.
I crack eggs alot on her food and she loves them but leaves the rest.
I have been told pasta is good, but shes not really into that.

She hasnt been to the vet for a year or so, but she was perfectly healthy last time i took her, i know she is due again.
You mentioned feeding by hand, yes that works a treat every time and if i stand there and wait for her she will usually eat too, because i tell her to do it. i have even pretended to eat it myself so she has go, which used to work..lol

Sharky, thanks for the link i will check it now, she really needs to beef up, she is the smallest staffie i have seen (and the cutest..lol)
Kibble i have never tried, i dont even know what it is or where to get it, sorry for my ignorance.

thanks for all yr help .

Chris

[probe1957]

Chris,

I agree with Barnjess in that you should first make sure there is no medical reason why your dog is refusing to eat.

I think you're right. You have spoiled your dog. But all is not lost. You can fix this. But you have to be committed. You can't cave.

>>I have seen her leave dog food there for 3 days without touching it

I think RIGHT THERE is your problem. Don't leave food down for her. Put her food down for 15 minutes. If she doesn't eat it, pick it up and give her NOTHING, no treats, no nibbles from your plate, NOTHING until her next meal. At the next meal, do the same thing. Put the food down for 15 minutes, then pick up any that remains uneaten. If there is nothing medically wrong with the dog, she won't starve.

[barnjess]

When I mentioned feeding by hand I ment when you fed her only your food, how did you feed it to her in a bowl or by hand? Also she may prefer the food you used to feed her but that is not whats good for her, they are like children they will eat only the rubbish if we let them, also ceral and milk is a big no no for her, eggs are great but only a coupple a week

[barnjess]

You also need to pick a quality food and stick with it, there is nothing wrong with changing the flavors of the food but swapping and changing brands will only make her more fussy

[sosumi]

i feed her my food by hand from my plate, but if i feed her her own food (with the spoon i carve it up with)in little peices she will usually eat that too,

I will get her to the vet but i thought i would see if anybody had any ideas first. i am pretty certain she has no medical issues, she is just an extremely fussy eater.

cheers.

[sosumi]

You all mention kibble, i think thats the go, and the link from sharky is great, thanks again. lets see how she goes for the next week.