My family recently adopted a new dog (he's 5 or 6, so not a puppy) and so we've been reviewing our dog care habits- we already had a 5 year old cocker spaniel, Foxy.

For the most part, we're pretty happy with how we're handling things with Pirate (the new guy) and Foxy, however the food issue is driving me nuts.

 Pirate came to us on Science Diet, which he weaned himself off of in two days (I was gradually mixing it with the kibble we were feeding Foxy, Solid Gold Barking at the Moon, and he just started eating around the SD and leaving it, so I abandoned it.) and is pretty easy-going about food in general, as long as it's reasonable.

Foxy, however, is a trouble maker. When she was a puppy we had another dog who was going through chemo and so had special cooked food, and I think it forever altered her idea of what food is supposed to be like, because she's very resistant to eating anything except People Food. (She will eat kibble, but only with persuasion.)

We don't mind feeding them 'real' food, however from reading I know that they're not going to get the right nutrition if we just give them a bit of meat from our dinner. So I've been trying out the various options.

So far, Foxy has turned up her nose at:

Raw Meaty Bones (get her FUR dirty? as IF)

Pre-ground raw mixture (see above)

Honest Kitchen rehydrated (all dog varieties)

Spot's Stew (Chicken and Salmon variations)

Plain Solid Gold Barking at the Moon (she'll eat it if you doctor it up with something, but she's not happy about it)

Plain Solid Gold something else (I forget which one- same as the BatM, though)

Canned Green Tripe

and probably other stuff I can't remember. :) I've tried a lot.

I'm currently pondering trying one of the pre-mixes, mixing it with some ground meat, and making up some 'hamburgers' or 'meatballs' for them- lightly browned but not cooked through, in the hopes that she'll be fooled into trying it. However, I'm leery of ordering something only to have it sit in the food bin along with the other stuff she won't have anything to do with.

So I'm posting in hopes that someone has suggestions or stuff that worked for them with their picky dog. :)

(Just fyi, Foxy is overweight, but has no specific health problems to worry about- she's not allergic to any food ingredients that we're aware of or anything like that)

Hello!

Have you tried a sprinkling of nutritional yeast on top of the food? Some dogs like this, kind of like parmesian cheese on spaghetti.  Also, Nupro makes a vitamin suppliment that you mix with water to make a gravy. It's supposed to be very yummy! My dogs liked it pretty well. 

If Dixie is being picky, I sometimes mix cottage cheese or yogurt with her food. Don't know if you tried that.

Also, The Honest Kichen sells sample packs of their premixes for something like a dollar each on their website.  Also, the Europa pre mixes sound pretty interesting. If you mixed in a little ground turkey or chicken, you'd be set.

Of course, you could go ahead and home cook as well. I use the recipes from Dr. Pitcairn's Guide to Natural Dog and Cat Health. They are pretty simple. I substitute some of the suppliments with those you can buy at ONP.

Also, if Dixie is being super-picky(which doesn't happen often), I decrease her food ration. Next time dinner's up, she's ready to eat. Also, increased exercise may help stimulate appetite, along with no treats in between meals. You say Foxie is over weight, so she must be eating something.

Good Luck.

First of all, pick up a copy of Dr. Pitcairn's book (ONP has it).  Lots of recipes with an explanation of dog's and cat's nutritional requirements.  Other books that have recipes:  The Naturally Healthy Dog by Sandra Baily.  Great book!!!  Herbs for Dogs (from ONP).

Contrary to what vets and breeders will tell you, people food is actually the BEST food to feed your companions.  If you have two bowls - one is filled with dry dog food and the other is filled with chicken, sweet potatoes, pureed greens, and some fish oil, which one would you choose?  Which one would your dog choose?  The real food, of course! 

Years ago, I fed all my dogs a dry food diet.  After we lost our first dog to cancer at an early age, I started researching canine nutrition and, as a result, made some dramatic changes to the food I serve my dogs (and myself!). 

What I learned is that we have been brainwashed into thinking that dry dog food is the only source of complete nutrition when, in fact, ALL dry dog food is severely lacking in digestibility and nutrition.  Over time, it becomes obvious that feeding a hard-to-digest food takes more energy than it gives back.  The pancreas is over-burdenened, the digestive system begins to work less and less efficiently, the body begins to absorb undigested particles, which causes inflammation, allergies, ear infections, other imbalances, and on and on.

Almost always missing from dry food are enzymes, essential fatty acids and greens.  So dry food is not only lacking vital, healing elements (enzymes, greens, important micronutrients) it is also loaded with unnecessary, hard to digest ingredients that tax the body instead of nourishing and healing it.  

I'm with Sarah and Friends. Home cooking is the way to go. Get Dr. Pitcairn's book. It's not that hard and your dogs wil be heathier. If time is lacking, then try The Honest Kitchen. They have recipes that incorperate the premix with fresh meat, veggies, and herbs. I home cook for my Corgis. Rice/potatoes, chicken/turkey, veggies, oil, supplements from ONP. Fresh fruits or herbs. I cook twice weekly. They are healthy and happy. The vet hates me because all the skin problems are gone, and I don't need to bring the kids in every other month. Saves money, too. Give it a try. What do you have to  lose?