Very Fussy Puppy

[Odette]

Hi there,

My puppy has become a super fussy eater. I currently feed her Artemis Fresh Mix puppy, and although she hungrily ate it at first, she turns her nose up at pretty much anything (unless it is roast chicken or whatever Im eating). I don't actually feed her my food, but my mother does when she comes over or is babysitting the pets :/ I have been guilty of it too at times, I'll admit, although I know it's not a good idea and do try to keep her away from my food.

Any advice on how to deal with this? Do i persist, and hope that she'll just eat when she gets hungry enough, or should I consider changing again? Maybe preparing her food myself? Is this as good as a brand like Artemis? She is 9 months old, pug cross cavalier, spayed recently, not a big eater anyway (has gone off a lot of her treats as she's getting older, including pigs ears, bully sticks, chews etc)

Thanks in advance.

Edited June 5, 2008 by Odette

[Flaves]

Artemis is a high quality food.

Does she get raw meat mixed with it or just the dry?

Maybe add a bit of hot water to create a gravy of sorts?

This has worked with mine.

How many meals a day is she getting? If she is getting two either cut them right down or go to one meal a day

She could also be going through a stage.

When Hunta went off her food, she got 10 minutes in which to eaet, then it was removed.

Next meal time it was put down then removed after 10 minutes.

4 days later she was back to normal

Good luck

[Paganman]

I reckon you feed them their food and if they dont eat it you take it away and dont feed them anything til next time.Its easy to make some dogs fussy eaters just by giving them what they like I mean why eat kibble if mum gives me roast chicken.The more you chop and change the fussier theyll get coz they know if they dont eat one thing mumll give me something else.

My dogs eat what theyre given but theyre pigs and will eat anything that stands still long enough

[First Time Puppy Owner]

I reckon you feed them their food and if they dont eat it you take it away and dont feed them anything til next time.Its easy to make some dogs fussy eaters just by giving them what they like I mean why eat kibble if mum gives me roast chicken.The more you chop and change the fussier theyll get coz they know if they dont eat one thing mumll give me something else.

My dogs eat what theyre given but theyre pigs and will eat anything that stands still long enough

Same! But I totally agree - give it at least 3 days!

[Odette]

Thanks for the replies, I'll definately try the "taking it away" if she hasn't eaten it approach, at the moment I just leave it out or in her feeder ball. I even went to mixing some of the cat's food in (she also gets Artemis Fresh Mix), and this worked for a while, but now she won't eat either...

I soften it for her with water sometimes, and this seems to help, but yeah.. Not a reliable winner, she literally turns her nose up at it. I'll give the fresh mince mix a try with it too, I've done this with roast chicken, but she's figured out how to pick out the chicken and leave the food...

Thankyou!

PS I'll add, for those of you who have a cat, the Artemis Fresh Mix is THE best cat food Ive ever tried, the change in my cat's coat and condition is really noticeable (id been feeding her Eukanuba prior to that, then onto EP Holistic (for both of them), then the Artemis. Miss Heidi Paws is 2 years old, Tonkinese.

They both look very healthy, very clear eyes and good coats, but the cat especially looks great (maybe because Ive been feeding the puppy super premium from the start, so the change wasn't as noticeable, i don't know...)

[Poodle wrangler]

If she is not too skinny (i.e. you can see more than the last 2 ribs) don't worry about it.

Take what's not eaten away and give it back next meal time.

VAst majority of "fussy" eaters are made that way by us, their owners :nahnah: