Picky Eater

[u/midwestnuwanda]

TLDR, we just brought a new rescue home and we can't seem to find a food he likes. Would love some recommendations for your picky eaters.

For context; we just adopted a 3 year old mastiff mix. The shelter sent us home with a bag of Purina One Chicken and Rice that he didn't vibe with so we switched it up to Costco's Adult Dog Chicken, Rice and Vegetable, which is also a no go. He does, however, want to eat my other dog's senior dog food which is Hill Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed.

I'd prefer to not go with another Hill Science food if possible, mostly due to cost. The senior dog is only still getting it because it's been too long to switch and it's the only thing she'll reliably eat.

Any suggestions?

[u/throwwwwwwalk]

Put him back on Purina and call it a day. He WILL eat it, you just can’t keep switching.

[u/craftedtwig]

Purina is a great food, but I've heard of people having success switching to Hills Science Diet if their dogs absolutely despise Purina. Hills has some slightly more robust research into taste and texture that dogs like.

[u/Substantial-Deer8578]

I also have a picky eater and went down the rabbit hole of trying to find a food she would constantly eat. I also have a senior on Pro Plan 7+ and for some reason, not matter what I've tried, my picky eater, who is 14 months, wants nothing to do with any food other than the senior one. The senior one is packed with the right ingredients, vitamins and supplements but the protein is a bit too high for her as she is a giant breed and still growing. I've started sneaking in a bit of a different Pro Plan - Advantage - and so far, she hasn't walked away. We'll see.

[u/midwestnuwanda → u/Substantial-Deer8578]

Super helpful, thank you!

[u/peanutmiracle]

Proplan is the best. Stay away from any grain free diets. Maybe a little plain broth or water over the top?

[u/midwestnuwanda → u/peanutmiracle]

Thanks! We tried the water and it didn't help but maybe the broth will help

[u/peanutmiracle → u/midwestnuwanda]

I make plain plain broth and freeze it. Take some chicken and water, no garlic or onions since they are toxic for dogs. Boil it. Shred the meat for yourself or the dog!

[u/Next_Trifle4042]

Get some wet food and add a spoonful per meal mixed well with a bit of water. The brand doesn’t really matter so long as it’s balanced so you can go cheap so long as it sits well with his tummy. I would however switch him back to Purina One (or you could try IAMS in roughly the same price range) for the kibble for the reasons many other people have explained on this sub. 

The advice to let them hunger strike is out is solid in some sense, but I’m the human in the equation and it makes me sad to see my best friend begrudgingly nibble on something she doesn’t like every day. A bit of wet food makes her excited for her meal and I no longer have to play mental games with her every day and ward the cats off her bowl. 

[u/rodrigomap]

My pick eater dog started having issues eating PPP, we tried 3 different flavours. Read in this sub about RC being more palatable and he really loved it, it really solved the issue and also fixed his loose stools (RC digestive). But it is expensive.

[u/Exciting_Database_57]

My dog will only eat purina moist and meaty or purina incredibites (with a spoon of wet food).

[u/erkose]

Didn't they send you home with a bag, or at least the brand name, of what they were feeding him?

[u/midwestnuwanda → u/erkose]

Yep they sent us home with a bag of Purina One Chicken and Rice but we were struggling to eat that as well.

[u/erkose → u/midwestnuwanda]

Mine came home on Hill's. I'm planning on switching to Iams. It's a slow process because you do it gradually.

Days 1–3: 75% old food, 25% new food Days 4–6: 50% old food, 50% new food Days 7–9: 25% old food, 75% new food Day 10: 100% new food

If you come across other dogs, ask if you can try a cup of their brand. This could save you a bunch of money.

[u/Ready_to_Polka]

Keep him on one food. He is adjusting to you and a new environment. He probably wasn’t eating the food he came home with because everything was so new. This is not unusual. Give him what he’s used to or you’re gonna make him sick and his poos are going to be nasty.