My dog has issues?

Question

He wont eat anything but human food not even wet dog food.. ive tried every brand... even dry food but he wont even taste it and ive tried forcing it to him but that just makes things worst now im worried that human food might affect him...(he's a chihuaha mix)

Answer 1

I would first talk to your vet. See what they think about you trying a mix. Like start out 3 parts "human food" to 1 part dog food then gradually adding more dog food until there is no more human food. Forcing him won't make him happy.. as I'm sure you noticed.
There are many types of human food that are poison to dogs. Check out these link for some of them:
http://www.petalia.com.au/Templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?specie=Dogs&story_no=257
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/protect_your_pet_from_common_household_dangers/foods_potentially_poisonous_to_pets.html
http://www.animed.org/dogs_foods_to_avoid.htm

Answer 2

Buy a good quality food such as Eukanuba (my favorite food of all time) and cook up some of the cheapest hamburger meat you can get. Pour the grease over the top of the dogfood, let it cool, and stand back as he chows down. Keep doing this and putting gradually less and less grease on the dog food over the next week and pretty quickly he'll forget all about the table scraps.

Also, while you are doing this, STOP giving him ANY table scraps at all. He WILL eat his food when he gets hungry. Don't take up his food, just leave it down so that he can get to it anytime he wants.

He has YOU trained to panic every time he goes without for a few hours. Relax. He's a small dog, but it sounds like he has you wrapped around his finger.

Answer 3

I once had a chihuahua. He ate human food too. Really, human food is ok for dogs; just as long as you give him a good balanced diet. But if you want to let your chi start eating dog-food, you'd better do something about it. I recommend these steps:

1. reduce human food to once a day. Feed him dog food for the other meal-times. It will be normal if your chi will still not eat the dogfood; do not give in. Do this for 3 days.

2. Stop feeding human food. Go doggy all the way. If your pet still refuses to eat, don't worry, let it go hungry for a few days. When it's famished, it'll come around.

During the transition, under no circumstances should you give human food as treats (for obedience training, tricks, etc.) You can resume giving human food (as treats) when your dog learns to love dogfood.

Answer 4

My father in law has a pitbull who refuses to eat her dog food as well and he had tried everything. She will however eat the speciality dog foods with lamb, the brand and types that are often used for dogs with allergies. Before she would only eat certain dog treats which was not good for her since so many treats have nothing but fat in them. Maybe try those types of dog foods and if you already have maybe you could talk to the vet about her have certain food allergies.

Answer 5

about 2 yrs ago i rescued a dog from where i work, people were allways feeding it so it really didnt go hungry, but all they fed him was human food. it took me me a while to transition him back to dog food, but once he realizedc he wasnt allways going to have human food he began eating more and more dog food. The dog realizes thast you will continue to give it human food so it figures what the heck why eat dog food. You have to take the human food out of the picture, even if its a gradual thing

Answer 6

Your little bandito wants to be the boss in your home. You could take him to the vet, but I think you should STOP giving him people food first, and just wait for him to eat his chow. When he begs you for your own food, set it down on the table (no food in your hand) and show him to his bowl, tapping your finger on the side of the bowl so he gets your point. After that--no begging allowed! If he's a reluctant starter, you might try pouring some chicken or beef broth from the grocery store on top of his food to turn it into "canine cuisine".

PS--Never force a dog to eat. Just be firm and patient, and his stomach will bring him around to your point of view with no hurt feelings on either side.

Answer 7

there is a reason it is called human food. They do not need to eat it in the form we do. That is Dog Food Co's prepare it special for them (if you want them healthy) Especially a chihuahua. The vet I have suggest only a dry food. Nothing from my table. I've had full blood tea cup ,toy & regulation sizes for over 35 yrs. They are my babies and I try to take care of them. That means Good exercise, clean enviroment, descipline, plenty of food & water and a big dose of "LOVE". In return you'll get yrs & yrs of love & affection in return

Answer 8

Human food for dogs is VERY HIGH IN FAT. And they don't burn calories the same way we do. If you can't get him to eat the try food try cracking an egg and just dump it on top of the dry food. Dogs like raw eggs and it's actually good for their overcoat. "Makes it Shinier"

Answer 9

When u give himhuman food mix it in withthe dog food
hell get used 2 the taste

Answer 10

I`ll tell u what my vet told me when I had the same problem with the same kind of dog as urs. He said, "ur the one who needs retrained not ur dog." He also told me if I loved my dog, I wouldn`t be killing him with people foods. When I told the vet, "but he won`t eat dog food", the vet said, when he gets hungry, he will eat. Lo and behold, I stood my ground, tho it was breaking my heart, but indeed my dog finally gave up and ate dog food ! He lived to the ripe old age of 19 yrs. U can do it too, just try.