What to feed my Saint Bernard...?

Question

I have a three y/o st bernard female that we got a week ago as a rescue. The people that were taking care of her said that it took some time to get her to eat dog food as her previous owner only fed her people food. She has not eaten in five days except some wet dog food off of a butter knife (like a kid eating peanut butter). Today I handed her one peice at a time of dry dog food until she ate...and I figured out her problem. She has such a big mouth, and such big jouls, that she has a real hard time with keeping the peice in her mouth as she chews. She is on kibbles and chunks right now...not the stuff by olroy, but the actual kibbles and chunks. Should I be finding a food with bigger peices to make it easier for her to bite, or should I find smaller peices so she can take a mouthful and chew. Is this normal for a St. Bernard to have trouble chewing because she is so clumsy with her mouth. Please help, I don't want her to get sick!

Answer 1

Kibbles & Chunks is a very low quality food. You really should steer clear of foods such as Beneful, Pedigree, Purina Dog Chow, IAMS/Eukanuba, Science Diet and other "supermarket" brand foods.They are low quality containing way too many fillers & by products.Some of them even contain dyes and chemical preservatives. Corn, wheat, soy don't offer much by way of nutrition. They are high allergens, soy causes excess gas and corn & soy are implicated in causing unexplained seizures in dogs. Beet pulp adds no nutrition onlu unnecassary sugars to the dirt. It takes up to 3 times more of a grain based food for a dog to get proper nutrition as it does from a good quality meat based food. Dogs are designed to extract nutrients from meats not grains.
Some good choices are;
Canidae, Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Innova, Solid Gold, Timeberwolf, Wellness, California Natural, percise, Premium Edge just to name a few.
Allof these foods are great for giant breeds as well as all breeds/mixes.

I have Great Danes. I love the Chicken Soup large breed adult formula. It has 235 protein which is great for Giants. I also very much like Canidae which has 24% protein another good food for giants.

Answer 2

I have three Saints. Even when treat training it is more difficult to get them to take small pieces. No, giving larger pieces doesn't help the dog still has to chew it up and the pieces fall. They eat slower than most dogs because of the Jowls. My Saints (all three) lay down to eat with the bowl right under their mouths. They take longer but, its just the structure of the mouth. Of course always have the mouth and teeth checked if you have concerns but, I would think the rescue and foster home already have. The fact the dog was only given people food prior to rescue seems to be the true problem here. The dog will adjust and instinct will kick in, she wont allow herself to starve. But, Saints feel if they get something once that's the way it should always be. Feeding the dog by hand is a bad habit you shouldn't encourage.. Good Luck.

Answer 3

kibbles and chunks are a low quality food. Anything you get at the grocery store or your vets office is low quality. A saint bernard needs a good nutritious diet. I feed mine the raw diet, but i also feed innova. Innova is real close to feeding the raw with the all natural ingrediants. Mine was very finicky when i got him as a rescue, i wet down his food with warm water and then i mixed gravy in it. He loved it.I had to try and scoop up the food in my hand to get him to eat. They are emotional dogs and do not take to change real easy when they are pulled away from a home they are use to.
I started feeding raw and he thrives on it. He still gets innova also, but raw is the best for a saint.
You need to feed the saint twice a day to help prevent bloat. Saint bernards are prone to bloat and bloat kills. Do not let the dog gulp water immediately after eating either as this can cause bloat. Do not let people tell u that it will get hungry enough to eat, because my saint refused to eat. I had the same problem, and it is not because the dog food is too small the dog is use to other foods instead and she does not want what u are feeding it.

Answer 4

That is the problem with the previous owner starting her on people food. They don't want anything else. Could be her gums have become to tender from eating soft food. I would suggest that you mix a little cooked rice and some broth in with the medium size chunks. Rice is good for a dog once in awhile - especially if they experience stomach upset. Feed her twice a day and elevate her feed bowl (6-8 inches) on the floor. Quite often, large dogs have a difficult time bending so low to feed. Another thing I might add, my vet recommended that I give my dog 1/2 can of unsalted green beans. He just loves them and I think animals like to eat green things like grass for instance. Maybe she would like to try that.

Answer 5

It is common for St Bernards to be picky eaters...If she's really having trouble chewing, she should have her teeth checked. It may be that she's letting it fall out of her mouth because she's not "accustomed" to dog food. You can try a canned dog food, this has smell and texture more like people food. And if you keep coaxing her to eat, you'll only encourage this behavior. She knows if she doesn't eat what's in her bowl, she'll get better food and more attention.

Answer 6

We have an 8 year old male St. Bernard who loves the "gravy" like dog food. We don't make it wet though. All of my dogs seem to like that type. Whether it's an off-brand or not....maybe you should try this type to see whether or not she likes the taste. I take my puppy outside and she goes straight to the Saint's food.

Answer 7

l have a st.Bernard and he eats any thing and every thing l have to watch that he does not get fed by other people because l don't want him having junk food. l do feed my from the table also and he eats beneful dog food. but after what l heard that the things they do to dog food l am almost afraid to feed my dog any dog food at all.have her teeth checked out. and maybe she does not like that brand that you are feeding her. l would add some people food with it and put less in it each day. if her teeth are okay then it's the food. she needs a little time and then she will be okay.

Answer 8

I think that it is something else. I had a Mastiff (same family) and he could eat all dog foods. What it sounds like to me is that your dog is going through his stress stage. Juts try and realize that he is going through a lot, having a new, unchosen life and all. Usually they come around in a week or two. Try and hand feed him until he completely trusts you and get him used to his surroundings. Very important, don't force anything. Be patient and good luck...he'll come around.

Answer 9

nutro natyral choice