So I need to figure out another feeding plan for Dolly. Why? Well, she won't eat her THK anymore. Why? Because she wants her chicken backs. She'll actually stand and stare at the counter and the refrigerator with a bowl of THK in front of her, like, hey, where's the good stuff?? She will eat it eventually, when she realizes she's not getting anything else. But sometimes we have to take it away and try again later.

Right now we're giving her 1/2 cup THK in the morning, and 1/2 cup THK with about 1 cup of chicken backs at night. In the morning, she just stands there wanting chicken backs. In the evening, she eats the chicken backs and is done. Maybe that's too much food at once? We thought, but we tried giving her 1 cup THK in the morning, and 1 cup chicken backs at night and she won't eat the whole 1 cup of THK. She's 21lbs and could afford to gain two or three more, to be honest.

Anyway, how can I switch? Just as slowly as from her old food to THK? Or can I move a little bit quicker? Thanks to Linda, I was just going to sort of follow her thread...

Anymore suggestions would be awesome! Thanks in advance! I hope you're not all out of raw feeding advice

I'd probably go raw. At first I thought "she'll eat it if she's hungry," but if she's really a little underweight, I'd go raw with the THK as a "gravy."

I would probably switch via decreasing the THK while increasing the RMBs, then slowly add the organ meat and meat variety. I'd probably add a little produce, well-mooshed, even though there is some in the THK (unless the THK stays at a fourth or a third or so of the food). I'm thinking out loud -- the goal being to start balancing whatever part of the diet now exceeds the THK-plus-their-recommended-RMBs-added.

Connie, what formula of THK would you recommend for going this route? Preference? or one of the stand-alone formulas?

 Quote: Jessica Pedicord

Connie, what formula of THK would you recommend for going this route? Preference? or one of the stand-alone formulas?

I would probably get a stand-alone THK like Force and Embark.

Why not? Then it's balanced completely.

The Preference is kinda meant to be the added low-allergen produce for someone whose dog is on an exotic protein source because of allergies, I think.

Very good point! So you're just using it for a little boost.... Hmn... Now my wheels are turning.

Thanks Connie! This sounds much easier than my initial switch, though I am a lot more confident about it now. I leave tomorrow for a week so my mom will be handling the feeding, but I think we can manage no problem even if she's just getting a lot more RMBs than anything else for a week, right?

Perhaps just giving her chicken backs for a week, with a little bit of THK gravy? I can make a veggie moosh (though I don't have a processor...but I'll do my best!) that my mom can add in. Do you think that will work for a week?

 Quote: katie finlay

Thanks Connie! This sounds much easier than my initial switch, though I am a lot more confident about it now. I leave tomorrow for a week so my mom will be handling the feeding, but I think we can manage no problem even if she's just getting a lot more RMBs than anything else for a week, right?

Perhaps just giving her chicken backs for a week, with a little bit of THK gravy? I can make a veggie moosh (though I don't have a processor...but I'll do my best!) that my mom can add in. Do you think that will work for a week?

A week with backs and THK "gravy" should be fine. But do you have some ground meat or other muscle meat so that if the upped backs are too bony (dry poop), she can flesh them out?

I do not, but I could easily pick some up at the store today. Is ground beef okay? Or should I get something like chicken breast?

Not Connie, but for as long as your dog has eaten and done well on chicken, a new food should be OK.

I also assume that you are already leaving skin and fat on the backs.

I'd probably try the leanest ground beef first.

Small amount added to a familiar food, and up the amount as you see fit. You know the drill.:wink:

Thanks Michael!! Yep, leaving the skin and fat on and she does just fine. Oh the excitement! I can't wait to give her ground beef!