Won't eat!

[GSD-Jay]

Morning all,

For a few reason I have decided to put Jenson back on to dry food. One reason being that he stopped eating his raw food straight away and just ate in when he felt like it (was never a problem before so never had to go down the route of taking it away after 20 mins or so).

Anyway, for 3 days he was on some cheap co-op rubbish whilst waiting for his Taste of the Wild to arrive (He used to eat Orijen as a young puppy before raw).
He wouldn't eat the co-op crap but that didn't surprise me much after being spoilt with all the raw.

The new food arrived, I put him some out and he turned his nose up at it. After a while I hand fed him some and he spat it out. The cheek of it! I then thought he genuinely didn't like the food.

Later on I mixed in some sausage and gravy from our dinner and he ate the lot. I then gave him another handful of the dried food and he ate that too and really seemed to enjoy it. He was then sniffing around the bag. So perhaps he does like it but just being fussy?

Next morning, food out, wont touch it. Left it whilst I went to work thinking he would eat it soon and it was still there when I got home. Wouldn't eat it last night either so eventually I mixed in some gravy and he ate a bit but not much.

This morning, same thing again. Didn't eat it so I took it away and left him without food.

What do you guys suggest? I know the whole 'take it away after 20 mins and try later' thing but I still don't think it'll make him want it. Should I not give in to him and not mix anything in and wait until he is hungry enough to not care?

Anyone had any experience going from raw back to kibble?

Thanks.

I've never put my dogs entirely back onto kibble, but they will eat it occasionally, like if it's in an activity toy. Wouldn't feed it for a whole meal anyway as they're happy on raw.

With raw they don't need as much food, so maybe he was self-regulating his intake? He'll eat when he's hungry. My friend's GSD often misses a whole day's food, then gorges the next day. I guess they'd eat like that in the wild..

Mixing up the types of food will make him more fussy. Could you tell if he preferred raw or kibble... if it's raw then try hand-feeding some raw chickie wings?

[GSD-Jay]

He used to eat everything, instantly. He loved his kibble but when we started Schutzhund I was persuaded to feed Duck Excellent Complete and Chicken Carcass' which he ate instantly too and then progressed to full raw since then. He was never fussy but over the last 6 months or so he slowed down his eating. I think he was self regulating as he did eat eventually but I was giving him big portions.

The reasons for going back to kibble are him leaving stuff about, the time and storage in getting and preparing his food and the fact we are trying for a baby so having raw food about the place won't be good for that. Eating outside is possible but not always convenient, especially when I don't want him on the muddy lawn this time of year.

I think he just needs to get used to it. I feel sorry for him not eating it and give in and mix something in but that's not going to help in the long run.

I think I'll give him ten minutes with it tonight after his walk and if he doesn't eat it I'll try again at 9pm or so. Then the morning again if not. Hopefully by tomorrow night he'll get the picture but I can't let him starve! I just hope it's not the fact he doesn't like it.

It would seem he has lost his appetite a little but hard to tell. He's poos are still firm and regular, no heaving or sickness etc.

[Caryll]

If I were you, I'd put it down & if he doesn't eat it, take it up again. Full stop.

If he doesn't eat it, he will have to wait until next meal time. Don't worry about starving him, he won't starve, he's just got used to the flavour of raw & doesn't want to go back. But he'll soon eat when he's hungry.

By putting it down again at a later time, you're actually mucking up his routine & that could make it worse. I know it sounds cruel, but he'll eat when he's hungry.

[GSD-Jay]

Originally Posted by Caryll

If I were you, I'd put it down & if he doesn't eat it, take it up again. Full stop.

If he doesn't eat it, he will have to wait until next meal time. Don't worry about starving him, he won't starve, he's just got used to the flavour of raw & doesn't want to go back. But he'll soon eat when he's hungry.

By putting it down again at a later time, you're actually mucking up his routine & that could make it worse. I know it sounds cruel, but he'll eat when he's hungry.

Ok thank you. this was the sort of answer I was looking for. I just wanted to check I wasn't being cruel or irresponsible by the possibility of him not eating fro 2 days. Maybe it'll do him good. I will give this a go, thanks.

[lauraburns]

I agree with everyone else, they will eat when they are hungry enough! Ozzie went a whole week without eating once, he was constantly holding out for something better! One day I put his tea down and he just ate it. By adding stuff to it all the time you are giving in to him and will expect it all the time. Get him back eating properly first, then you can add little tasters to it as and when you feel like it, not because he demands it!

Yes and as for raw feeding inside, I put the food down on some old towels, usually the ones I've got on the floor of the porch. They hoover up any bits after themselves and I just shake the towels outside.

It's also a good idea to vary the meal times, keeps them keen. Some raw feeders advise to withold food for a mealtime once a week too.

[LOVEGSD]

I would agree with Caryll, it goes down and then comes up if he doesn't eat it and then that's it for the day.

Diesel got picky with his food and we did the above, he didn't eat for 3-4 days I was getting really worried but we persisted and now he's good as gold.

Diesel currently eats Orijen 6 Fish, best change of diet I ever made as he now drools for his dinner.

[GSD-Jay]

Thanks everyone. Orijen is good stuff, he used to love it. Taste of the Wild is very similar and another 6 star grain free food on Dog Food Analysis. I'll do as you say and see how long it takes him. Hopefully not too long. He makes me feel so guilty lol.

Anni - Raw food on towel is a good idea but he had a habit of carting bits of chicken off into another room to eat somewhere else. Little bogga!

[LOVEGSD]

I hated 'starving' Diesel I felt so cruel but it did pay off in the end and now he's not picky. I've heard really good things about TOW, let us know how you get on.