dog food issue..sort of

What human food can you add to dog food to make it more appealing for the dog?
I am very into feeding my dog the best food, but I also want her to like what she is eating and not feel that I am constantly switching her food. She's been on all the premium foods, but never has seemed too excited about any of them. So the latest is Kirkland brand from Costco. I was surprised at the ingredients - pretty good.
We just had to put our other dog down 2 1/2 weeks ago and when my remaining dog wasn't eating, I started adding a little bit of the pedigree pouches to the kirkland to get her to eat. She will eat it quickly some days and only eat a bit on others. To be honest I'd rather her not get into pedigree or wet food, but the kirkland just wasn't doing it on its own. My DH doesn't want me to keep switching foods either and would be fine giving her something from the grocery store, which I just can't do (although pedigree is from there ) Any suggestions on what I can do?

Re: dog food issue..sort of

Baby Food/Cereal
Plain organic yogurt
Gerber Graduates Chicken Sticks

Message edited 1/2/2008 1:14:38 PM.

Re: dog food issue..sort of

If you give the dog human food it is likely they will always want human food and wont eat dog food! We started buying all the expensive dog foods Rudy wouldn't eat them. I bought pedigree not the best food but he likes it so thats what he gets!

Re: dog food issue..sort of

Chalie gets a spoonful of organic yogurt mixed in with his dog food. That's the only human food he's ever eaten.

Re: dog food issue..sort of

Sometimes my parents mix a little bit of milk in the dry dog food.

Re: dog food issue..sort of

Milk should not be given to dogs or cats, nor should human food. I would stop changing foods and just stick to one, eventually it will work out.

Re: dog food issue..sort of

I would stick to one food and keep adding a tiny bit of wet food to entice her.
It's not a great idea to give dogs human food as it's bad for their stomachs. If your dog is eating the food with the wet food, then stick to that. My friend has been doing that with his dog forever.
ETA: the only thing I've ever been told by my vet was to add a little olive oil to the food to help the dogs coat and skin. So you could try that.

And...don't force her to eat. Dogs eat if they are hungry. If they aren't, they will skip the food. How much are you feeding her and how much does your dog weigh? Misty is 60 pounds and only gets two cups of food a day - one in the a.m. and one in the p.m. and she is healthy and has maintained her weight (with a ton of exercise) for years.

Message edited 1/3/2008 7:57:12 AM.

Re: dog food issue..sort of

With my previous dog and now with Scout, I pour a little bit of olive oil on the food. It is excellent for their skin, coat and bones, and makes the food yummy!

Re: dog food issue..sort of

we will sometimes put wet food in their dinners, or rice...only on holidays do they get spoiled...ie thanksgiving they get turkey...etc.
and when I make chicken soup I save the veggies to put in their bowls for dinner.

Re: dog food issue..sort of

we give Otis grilled chicken cut up real small into his Innova dog food.

Re: dog food issue..sort of

Re: dog food issue..sort of

I have a jack russell terrier and she has a big appetite. She will eat 24/7 if she had that opportunity to do so. My dog constantly beg for human food when we are eating. She always gives us those puppy dog eyes and we fall for it all the time. My vet got on me about that and I promise not to do that anymore. He told me that I am endangering her life span by doing this. I was told that dogs don't get bored of eating the same dog food. I still feel that I need to give her atleast different treats if I keep feeding her the same dog food. You have to be firm and stick to your daily routine and don't give into those puppy dog eyes!

Re: dog food issue..sort of

I do Neutro Max large breed lamb and rice. Some days Gus loves it other days not so much, but he eats it and that's all that matters. Sometimes I add a can of green beans to entice him and he LOVES them. The vitamins in the beans really help and it makes him more excited. He LOVES purnia 1 lamb and rice, but I just don't like the quality of the food. JMHO

Re: dog food issue..sort of

Message edited 1/5/2008 10:05:31 AM.