My four-month old puppy is giving me feeding problems. She has become extremely fussy and will only eat if I coax her into it. I currently feed her a premium (dry) small- breed puppy food and recently tried mixing in two types of canned food and she still turns her nose up at it. I have also added chopped up boiled turkey and rice, but she tries to pick out the turkey and rice. After I coax her to take small portions out of the bowl, she will eat. But this is a habit I hate and want to break. What should I do?
It sounds like you are really trying to please your puppy and that is coming from a place of love. Unfortunately, your dog has learned that you will get on your hands and knees to get her to eat. You can try another brand of food and see if that helps, but she is developing a bad habit.
My solution to this type of problem has always been somewhat hard-nosed for pets that are not ill. I recommend that you put out what you want your puppy to eat at the morning feeding, whether it is just dry food or a mix, and leave it down for 20 minutes. Let her eat what she wants, all or nothing, and then pick up the food. At this point she should not get any treats, rawhides, or edible chews and NO table food. In the afternoon repeat the same process, and again in the evening. Some stubborn dogs may take two to three days before they give in and eat. A dog will not starve itself when there is food available. Be sure that there is always plenty of fresh water available.
Please note that this behavioral modification technique applies to healthy animals only. You should take the puppy to your veterinarian to ensure that there is no physical reason for her lack of appetite. In some cases liver or kidney problems may make dogs feel worse after eating, so they become hesitant to eat once they make the association.
Feeding a pet only meat and rice can be very dangerous because it is an extremely unbalanced diet. I have had several patients that had nutritional problems due to the lack of calcium and micronutrients in the diet. Feeding a complete and balanced, AAFCO- approved diet formulated for dogs is the best and easiest solution.
08/22/03
