Bilbo not eating dry food, only when mixed with pedigree...?

iarmst

Hi everyone,

I am concerned for our 3.5mth old lab, Bilbo.

We had him on 3 meals a day, normally 2 handfuls of dry Hill's puppy food. He was OK with it (eating 70%) before I swtiched him to a mix of dry and pedigree puppy. Now, when I try to go back to pure dry food (I think that is better than the pedigree anyhow) he doesn't want to know Sad

Any recommendations on how I can get him to eat and enjoy his dry food balls? I am going to try and change brand today and see if that helps.

Also, for the dry balls, is 2 handfuls sufficient 3 times a day? I do not yet have a measuring cup.

Many thanks for any replies,

Ian

Feebarn · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:54 am Post subject:

try not to chop and change too much... these pups are clever and have the most beguiling eyes! If he thought he could hold out and you would give him something nicer then by golly he will!!!! If you give him something else then... he suckerd you!!! Smile

Try adding a little warm water to the dry food to release the aroma as it were! Wink

I still add water to my 14month olds food.

Me personally, I put it down if the pup doesn't eat it after say 10 minutes I take it up and don't feed again till his regular feeding time. He won't starve himself and will eventually get hungry enough to eat what you are offering.

iarmst · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:18 am Post subject: Thanks for the response

Thanks alot for the prompt reply.

I think I will change today to another dry brand and let that be it. I will mix with warm water (good suggestion) and maybe only give him the pedigree (or other meats etc.) as a treat once a week.

I am doing the 10-minute rule already, if anything to keep the ants away!!! grrr.

Thanks again for the reply.

Ian

_Jules_ · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:23 am Post subject:

If you start to add tastier things to their food, then they won't want to go back to boring kibble and they try to hold out for something better, so I wouldn't change or add anything to his food at all for now.

If however you do change his food, do it gradually over a 7-10 day period, otherwise he may get an upset tum.

As for the amounts, I couldn't really say, as it depends how big your hands are Wink

, but if he looks neither fat nor thin, then he must be getting about the right amount.

Kyomii · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:41 am Post subject:

If you want to add something to the kibble (I do with mine) that is healthier than perhaps pedigree, try a little tinned tuna, or sardine etc

Or perhaps a little left over chicken, or tripe, or a bit of cooked liver.

All healthier than the tinned wet dog food, cheaper too, and you only need a small amount. Smile

iarmst · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject: I have bought some Royal Canin

So at lunch I went and bought some Royal Canin Labrador Retriever 33 Junior feed.

He seems much happier with it. OK, so he only ate 50% of it but that is better than previously. I lifted it after 10mins so let's see if he can wolf it all down later tonight.

Any thougts on that brand? I bought it here in Spain but I guess it is the same all over Europe, judging by the languages on the back Smile

)

Ian & Bilbo

Jemima · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject:

I know other members on here use that. Lucy is 10 months old and still on BETA Puppy for Large Breed (although will be switching her onto the adult version once this bag has gone), and up until recently, we wet it down with a little warm water, and also occasionally added a Pedigree Pouch as a 'treat'. But now, she has it dry, and occasionally gets a tin of mackerel in either oil or tomato sauce added as a tasty treat. I suppose fortunately for us, Lucy will scoff down anything we give her, dry or wet.....and the 10min rule!??? Its gone in about 1min.....she'd be the size of a whale if we let her eat 10mins worth! lol

Hope the switch does the trick and your little pupster builds up a good appetite! xxx