I remember seeing on a documentary somewhere that kibble should always be stored in its original packaging. IMO, non-food grade plastic bins might leach small amounts of toxins into the food. The amounts are probably negligible, but again IMO, maybe you can try to place the entire package of kibble inside the plastic bin.

Maybe she doesn't like the scent of the food when it has been stored in plastic? (I know my towels smell funny when they have been stored in a bin!)

Also I agree with Patti to have her vet checked too.

 Quote:

They can get it from raw meat and yes I am a raw feeder.

I don't believe that this is correct. Dogs do not get giardia from eating raw meat. They can get it from a contaminated water source, such as a stagnant puddle or from an area in the ground that was contaminated.
Animals can get it from eating contaminated feed, but it is not directly related to eating raw meat in any way.

I am hoping Connie will step in here, as she knows exactly.
I just wanted to point this out, as we don't need any negative info making people afraid to feed raw food.

I think if you re-read it that she was talking about sarcocystis.

Giardia can be acquired from many sources...raw meat is not one I am aware of. The other thing...dunno. Standing water, feces of an infected animal are the big ones for Giardia. 90% of the time, you won't get a positive result on an adult dog w/out many, many, repeated tests due to the lifecycle of the bug.

Not to stray, but Patty...if it's conclusively Giardia...I would treat w/fenbenzadole (Panacur, Safe-Guard) instead of Flagyl unless b/c of the other issue, Flagyl is better. See why your vet chose it over fenbenzadole. Flagyl often does not make it disappear permanently, and can have serious side effects. The fenbenzadole is much safer, safe enough to be used on pregnant and lactating animals. The effectiveness is higher, too, from what I have learned.

Since adult dogs often show few/no symptoms, if all else fails w/the appetite, you could try a round of Panacur. Other than intermittent loose stools, grass-eating is a symptom of Giardia, often. Often, it's a symptom of liking to eat grass, though. LOL.

Well water can also be contaminated, so if you have a well and recurring problems like this, get your water tested.

Ok, sorry my mistake.

 Quote: Joyce Salazar

Ok, sorry my mistake.

I read it the same way at first, too.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

grass-eating is a symptom of Giardia, often. Often, it's a symptom of liking to eat grass, though. LOL.

Damned if you do.......

Someone mentioned that idea as well, so I now have kept the food in the bag and just dropped the whole thing in the plastic bin. She gobbled dinner down last night, no problem. Maybe she does want to be a one-meal-a day dog! I'll try reducing the amount to see if that changes anything.

Like I said, I don't feel too concerned about her health, but it definitely has me scratching my head. The GSD I grew up with was a super picky eater, so I want to avoid heading that route with my own dog.

Yes, i was referring to getiing the sacrcocystis from the raw meat. My dogs like to eat dirt and of course swim at the lake a lot too, so that is likely where the giardia came from. They all recieved panacur not too long ago as all of my guys were pooping out 2ft (yes 2 ft) tapeworms. I thought something was throwing a rope outta their butts and was going to climb out!! We identified the tapeworms as a type that is acquired by eating raw or undercooked beef or venison (it was definately NOT the flea type). Last fall a friend of mine brought me quite a lot of deer scrap and bones. i am sure i fed some fresh without freezing it first. i will never make that mistake again. I am pretty sure they got the tapeworm and sarco from that as most of my other raw meat comes frozen first which is supposed to kill the bugs. The panacure did not get the sarco or the giardia (unless the giardia came AFTER the Panacur treatment)but he has been off his food for quite some time. My vet just decided to try something different and we decided to treat all 5 of my guys with it just in case. The Drontal (super expensive BTW) is being used for the Sarco. I can't say that his appetite has greatly improved but he has gained the 2 lbs. i am hoping he gets over this picky thing like his mother did!!