What Food to try?

Hi, I've not been on for quite a while, but I am having trouble, moving my 2 year old "Charlie" on to adult food.
At the moment he is on Burns mini bites. We have tried a few others, we would prefer hypoallergenic if possible, bur he just won't eat them! We have tried just mixing a few in to start with, but he just eats the mini bites and leaves the others. The problem is, we can't just leave it in the bowl until he is hungry enough, as we have an older cavelier called Prince, who will just eat it for him! lol.
I think it is either the bigger size of the kibble that is putting him off, or the fact that it is too hard, as he seems to struggle crunching it, he then just takes one out of the bowl and rolls on it!!? It;s quite funny to watch, but we are having no luck finding a substitute, and I think there may be too much fats etc in the puppy food.

Any ideas please Linda

Try mixing the kibble with a little water and letting it sit a few minutes or mix in some wet (canned) food. I did that with Sydney when he was having trouble with his teeth. Also, some brands of dry food have smaller pieces for adults. I think Science Diet.

GroovyGran said:

Hi, I've not been on for quite a while, but I am having trouble, moving my 2 year old "Charlie" on to adult food.
At the moment he is on Burns mini bites. We have tried a few others, we would prefer hypoallergenic if possible, bur he just won't eat them! We have tried just mixing a few in to start with, but he just eats the mini bites and leaves the others. The problem is, we can't just leave it in the bowl until he is hungry enough, as we have an older cavelier called Prince, who will just eat it for him! lol.
I think it is either the bigger size of the kibble that is putting him off, or the fact that it is too hard, as he seems to struggle crunching it, he then just takes one out of the bowl and rolls on it!!? It;s quite funny to watch, but we are having no luck finding a substitute, and I think there may be too much fats etc in the puppy food.

Any ideas please Linda

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A little chicken broth can often help soften the food and entice a picky eater. I sometimes have to bribe Altas with some canned food or a little peanut butter at the bottom of the dish.

Our dry kibble come pretty small.

I cannot tell you enough how I feel your frustration. I have a very finicky eater, and cannot leave her food down either because our cat will eat it LOL!

I have tried mixing in water, different foods, you name it, I have tried it. THe problem is that my dog likes the change for one meal, then decides its boring on the second offer. The only thing that is workig right now to make her eat is offering 1 meal a day. She refuses to eat in the morning, but come dinner time she will reluctantly eat as if disappointed there isn't something better.

If the other suggestions aren't working, go ahead and try being really strict.. food down for x amount of time, if it is not eaten, take it away until next meal time. It is so hard to do!!!

You might try crushing the larger kibble?

But I am thinking that he just does not care for the taste... but crushing it into smaller pieces would give you a test.

GroovyGran said:

Hi, I've not been on for quite a while, but I am having trouble, moving my 2 year old "Charlie" on to adult food.
At the moment he is on Burns mini bites. We have tried a few others, we would prefer hypoallergenic if possible, bur he just won't eat them! We have tried just mixing a few in to start with, but he just eats the mini bites and leaves the others. The problem is, we can't just leave it in the bowl until he is hungry enough, as we have an older cavelier called Prince, who will just eat it for him! lol.
I think it is either the bigger size of the kibble that is putting him off, or the fact that it is too hard, as he seems to struggle crunching it, he then just takes one out of the bowl and rolls on it!!? It;s quite funny to watch, but we are having no luck finding a substitute, and I think there may be too much fats etc in the puppy food.

Any ideas please Linda

Click to expand...

Have you tried EVO, where I get my dog food from has free samples. If you are in the states I can ship some to you?

I had trouble getting Bentley back on his kibble after the chicken/rice diet he was on due to a bout of diarreah. I babied him along for weeks with all kinds of variations and finally bought the canned version of the kibble he was eating & mixed it with the kibble, using about a tablespoon just to flavor it. Of course he always begs at the table when we eat and the past few days has been refusing his food, even though he loves it out of my palm! He is spoiled. Ya think? Now I have a new method: I move his bowl right beside my chair at the table and he thinks he's eating with us. Oh, brother!

Lots of good suggestions. Sometimes, when you've used the chicken broth, and softened the food, just warming it in the micro for a few seconds will enhance the taste.

I have several friends who swear by Merrick canned food added to the kibble. I know it's available in the US, not sure about the UK.

I have to admit...

that since Gracie has been on the frozen raw food diet by Nature's Variety we have not had nearly as many issues with her eating. She loves the raw food and can eat several proteins without problems. And so easy to pop the medallions out of the freezer and just put them in her bowl after they thaw a bit.

GraciesMom said:

that since Gracie has been on the frozen raw food diet by Nature's Variety we have not had nearly as many issues with her eating. She loves the raw food and can eat several proteins without problems. And so easy to pop the medallions out of the freezer and just put them in her bowl after they thaw a bit.

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And, they poop much less and much smaller poops on Raw!

GroovyGran said:

Hi, I've not been on for quite a while, but I am having trouble, moving my 2 year old "Charlie" on to adult food.
At the moment he is on Burns mini bites. We have tried a few others, we would prefer hypoallergenic if possible, bur he just won't eat them! We have tried just mixing a few in to start with, but he just eats the mini bites and leaves the others. The problem is, we can't just leave it in the bowl until he is hungry enough, as we have an older cavelier called Prince, who will just eat it for him! lol.
I think it is either the bigger size of the kibble that is putting him off, or the fact that it is too hard, as he seems to struggle crunching it, he then just takes one out of the bowl and rolls on it!!? It;s quite funny to watch, but we are having no luck finding a substitute, and I think there may be too much fats etc in the puppy food.

Any ideas please Linda

Click to expand...

I am not quite sure why you are changing from Mini Bites if Charlie likes them & eats them happily? They are suitable for adult toy dogs.

I am not a dog food expert but when I find something that my dogs enjoy, that suits their digestive systems, gives them enough energy, a reasonable glossy coat and doesn't pile on the weight, I don't change brands.

If they do put on weight I reduce the amount that I give them rather than change to specialist 'light diets'

My dogs for many years have been fed on Mini Bites and a little portion of tinned Butchers tripe mix to add interest.
The only exception at the moment is little Chin Bridgette who had bladder stones & needs a special urinary diet. When I have had frail or toothless oldies they have had special treatment.

The size of the Mini Bite kibble is fine for the fluffies but is a little small to give a cavalier good chewing experience, but I do make sure they all get treats that need serious chewing.

We also have a cat who will eat the dog food if Rose doesn't eat it (and she is allergic to fish, so this is a no go!). I finally broke down and started adding a tablespoon or so of canned food to Rose's dry food and stirring it in. And about the time my picky eater is getting tired of that flavor of canned , it's time to open a new can. So far it's been working for us for a few months, thankfully. I think I am going to start getting the big cans and dividing it up in an ice cube tray, freezing and then bagging them, and just popping one in the microwave for a few seconds when I need one, now that I am getting an idea as to her favorite flavors. I'm thinking it will be more economical. We'll see! Good luck!

I tried 15 dog foods for mine finally evo she ate a little but gave her wicked diarrhea. For blondie, homecooked meals (3 veggies a meat and a carb) have been the solution. She is now excited to eat and much healthier.

Burns mini bites is suitable for adult toy dogs - my 13.5year old jack russell has a little burns mini bites added to her raw meat!