Patrick, I also wanted to mention that I don't think it's good to give dogs a lot of tuna (due to the mercury, I think), but mackerel and sardines are OK.

Also, for those that feed kibble as well as raw, it should be fed at different meal times due to the amount of time it takes kibble vs raw to work its way thru the digestive tract.

I am not sure if canned mackerel and sardines fall into that category, but I am sure the more experienced food gurus will comment.

The Honest Kitchen is an easy, healthy alternative to feeding raw food.

A definite improvement over kibble, and the dog may respond quite positively.

Again, I would recommend that you no longer free feed this dog.

Additionally, regardless of what you decide to feed, I urge you to supplement with Salmon Oil and Vitamin E (at a minimum). Salmon Oil can be purchased in a large pump bottle.

Many dogs are attracted to the odor, and relish the taste, so it can also encourage a picky eater. That is not the reason to supplement (dogs, just like humans, suffer a major Omega 3/6 imbalance in their diet, which can cause numerous health problems. Supplementing Salmon Oil and Vit E can help correct this imbalance).

I feed my dog raw, but I also feed The Honest Kitchen a few times a month, and I have been continually impressed by the quality and value in their products.

If you decide to use The Honest Kitchen (THK), I would recommend rotating between Embark, Keen and Force (which all contain meat and lack grains, the ideal formulation for any canid food).

More info on THK here:
http://leerburg.com/honestkitchen.htm

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

Also, for those that feed kibble as well as raw, it should be fed at different meal times due to the amount of time it takes kibble vs raw to work its way thru the digestive tract.

I don't think this can be said enough!!!

The Honest Kitchen is pretty pricey though. I use it for backpacking and I'm always like 'eep!'

In terms of kibbles....

Wendy, I agree, Orijen is great. I gave the dogs that when I was back and forth before getting the freezer. Wellness Core is another good IMO. I've heard good things about Innova Evo as well, though Old Iron Gut (Luc) had an upset stomach on it.

Welcome Patrick!

When I picked up Kaiser from the breeder he was on Eukanuba. I switched him off that and onto something I thought was a higher quality kibble - Blue Buffalo. And for all intents and purposes BB is a higher quality kibble.

I was having a tough time transitioning him though onto the new food. Don't get me wrong - he would eat it it's just that his bowels and digestive system wasn't co-operating as I had hoped.

We often think that when we move to a higher quality food the digestive troubles will end. In your case, luring him to eat because of a better quality "more tasty" food.

I am a recent convert to the raw diet and was HIGHLY skeptical and nervous about making the change. Apprehension was a word I could use to describe my initial feelings.

Moving to a higher quality kibble will cost more than Euk. When it's all said and done - at the end of the month - you will have spent nearly the same amount of kibble as what you would have spend on raw without all the benefits of raw.

If it's a cost issue - there really isn't an issue. If there is something more "appealing" about kibble that's fine. No one here is going to be forceful in attempting to convert you to raw.

As already mentioned there is quality kibble available but it can get expensive - and then there are the vet bills but that's another topic.

Something you may want to try is...
1. Do not free feed.
2. Fast him for one day
3. Spritz some salmon or fish oil on his food to make it a bit more mouth watering
4. Don't feed him too much so that he walks away from him bowel satisfied - keep him just a little on the hungry side

no problem Patrick.
Type in Eukanuba and you may surprised by what you find

Orijen is a great dog food (as far as Im concerned) and isn't too high on the price scale.


Im definately not opposed to raw. I know it is the BEST way to go. But i know it's not right for me right now so i figured I would do the best I can with kibble for now.

uhhhh...just a note. I did find that the first few days of Tucker being on Orijen made him quite a bit gassy (all that protein I guess) but that stopped after a day or two. Just in case you do decide to switch to grain free, just realize the "gas" factor will more than likely pass (heehee, no pun intended!! )

And if you are free feeding (although i don't see you saying in any of your posts that you are) i have to agree with not doing that.

Sorry, I should add that I do add in Salmon Oil & vit E (when I can, sometimes money is tight) and if I can't do those, I will add Sardines. And natural plain yougurt is a good add in too.

Thanks again everyone has been very helpful. I don't know where you all got that I was free feeding, all I was saying was the 15 min thing wasn't working and so I was giving him an hour to eat his food. No I would never just put a big bowl of food out for him to eat on all day!! I will try the fish oil spray as well see if that makes it a bit tastier because I believe right now it is the taste he is not liking. Thanks again!

Patrick

Patrick,

That's my concern, that you didn't stick to the 15 min thing, long enough.

I have a dog that is quite the picky eater, when permitted.
It took FOUR DAYS to teach her that she must eat when food goes down, or I will take it away.

You have to be more stubborn than the dog. If they go hungry for a few days, so be it. Which is worse, four days of hunger followed by a lifetime of healthy eating... or a dog that continually picks at it's food and never really gets a proper meal as a result? (Not to mention, your own peace of mind suffers greatly. Been there, I know.)

My girl was a very hungry pup for those four days, but she learned.

Hunger is a great teacher.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

The Honest Kitchen is an easy, healthy alternative to feeding raw food.
If you decide to use The Honest Kitchen (THK), I would recommend rotating between Embark, Keen and Force (which all contain meat and lack grains, the ideal formulation for any canid food). ... http://leerburg.com/honestkitchen.htm

Keen is not no-grain, but Embark and Force are. I agree that THK, especially with RMBs added, is a great food.

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

Patrick, I also wanted to mention that I don't think it's good to give dogs a lot of tuna (due to the mercury, I think), but mackerel and sardines are OK.

Also, for those that feed kibble as well as raw, it should be fed at different meal times due to the amount of time it takes kibble vs raw to work its way thru the digestive tract.

I am not sure if canned mackerel and sardines fall into that category, but I am sure the more experienced food gurus will comment.

No, canned (cooked) mackerel and sardines are not raw.

Lest there be any confusion, THK is not kibble and is a great food to enhance with raw.

I would not feed tuna either, either fresh or canned.