i can't find a dry dog food that my 4mo. pitbull will eat because he won't eat that canned mush either

Question

I have a brindle pitbull 4mo. he use to eat premium dry food were he would eat the whole bowl but now he leaves food in the bowl and goes back and forward and i don't like that because i want him on a schedule.I was giving him eukanuba wet pouches on top of the dry and he was very interested until the recall he got a hold of some of the bad food then i bought nutro wet food pouch only to find out that menu foods made that too i took him to the vet and had his kidneys tested and he was fine but the test showed that he definatly had the contaminated food,so then i concockted my own recipe i was giving him purina beneful dry puppy chow with skinless chicken breast that i baked in the oven for him then i put it in a food processor to chop it up real fine and put it over the the dry and added 2 tbl spoons of hienz chicken gravy that come in a jar an mix it. He then will eat every bit of food that is in the bowl until it is licked clean.Is gourmet food ok thats what i cosider it to be.

Answer 1

I feed all my animals the B.A.R.F diet (Biologically Apropriate Raw Foods) and I make it in large quanties at a time and freeze most of it. Then heat it in the mic for a few seconds, its cheaper and better in the long run, none of my animals refuse it. Less waste, better coats, better health, never had a problem at ALL with the Barf diet. So i dont fear the recall one bit.
http://www.barfworld.com/
ADDITION: I agree with Allison they dont know yet what the true contamination was. They were trying to link it to wheat gluten that thickens the gravy but they still have no conclusive evidence yet. Also they have no way to test contaminated food. So if your dogs kidneys are good then thats fine, also they are saying that the MAJORITY of animals becoming sick are cats not dogs, but that all animals are at a risk, only that a FEW animals have died but enough to be concerned and issue a recall cause the dead animals all had something in common, they ate ALOT of wet and canned foods.

Answer 2

Your vet said that his kidneys were fine but the tests showed that he definitely had the contaminated food? There would be no test to determine that, unless there was kidney failure- so either you're making that up, or your vet is a liar.

Anyway, what you made him would be fine. It's not the healthiest for a puppy, but you're more concerned about him eating. If you want him on a schedule, put some food down, and if he isn't eating it within 5 minutes, pick it up. NO dog, unless they are suffering from a medical problem, will sit there and starve when there is food available. If you put the food down and pick it up when he doesnt eat it, he will learn that he better eat on YOUR schedule, or he wont get it. He will learn, it's all part of the training/growing/learning process for puppies.

Answer 3

Have you tried Life's Abundance by HealthyPetNet? It's a dry puppy and dog food, on the market 11 years, that does not contain the highly indigestible and toxic-mold-prone grains, corn, wheat, and soy. It also has no by-products.

You can dampen it and heat it up for several second in the microwave to release the flavor and stimulate smell and appetite.

I have had great success with it. It is available only via mail order, order online or via telephone.

http://healthfulpetzone.com

DogtorJ.net (he's a cool holistic veterinarian with many articles on animals and healthy foods) says that HealthyPetNet is the "Cadillac" of pet foods. If it's a Cadillac, it's reasonably priced, about the same price as a Science Diet or Iams.

Good Luck,

Teresa Holladay

Answer 4

Dog food is too low in protein and lacks taurine. Taurine is essential to a cat to prevent liver/kidney damage and blindness. Cat food has too much protein for a dog and can cause liver/kidney damage to them. Feed the dog, dog food. Feed the cat, cat food - do NOT let them eat each other's food or you will end up with two very sick pets. Also canned food will not ruin a cat's teeth. Dry food cleans teeth about as well as you eating a hard pretzel. Best diet for a cat is some dry and some canned each day and raw several times a week.

Answer 5

You know Eukanuba was part of that recall right.....

Anyways try a higher food like Natural Balance or Innova. Even my most pickiest of pooches ate it (a pom....one of the worst breeds when it comes to being picky). Sometimes the dog can smell the rotting ingredients inside the kibble....and thus....not finishing the bowl.

Its a bit more pricy though. When he's done eating you can take the bowl away and dump the left overs back into the bag or holder (wherever you store the food). I found that the healthy foods....you feed less of (thank goodness since I have four boys to feed)

Also Beneful....VERY BAD FOOD. In fact it was that and petigree that was said to rott my boxer's insides (he was bleeding to death inside out) and puts them in such poor condition. The best brand you can find outside of the feed store is Natural Balance. Sounds like you shop at only stores like Safeway. In that case you can feed him raw food. This is very healthy but you should read more on it first. Its best for people who hate picking up dog poo.

You yourself should read more on dog foods. I believe if you talk to a holistic vet or even go on dr. foster and smith online....they say some things on food.

Answer 6

I've always fed my Danes Natural Choice Large Breed Adult. It's a Nutro product...but not one of the ones listed in the recall (those were all canned products or 'wet' food).

As a treat I always put a little cottage cheese on the top of their food when they are adults. You need to watch the protein content for large dogs when they are puppies (check with your vet for their recommendations there) so the cottage cheese for pups probably is not a good idea. Pedigree canned food (not the kind that says 'in gravy') is also something my dogs have enjoyed as a treat on top of their dry food.

Usually the breeder you get your dog from (if reputable) will be a good source of advice.

Answer 7

If your dog isn't eating the can dog food then just leave him some dry dog food in his bowl. Then when it's time for dinner, give him some of whatever you are having, but make sure what you give to him is what you would eat. So if you are having steak give him some and it needs to be what you would eat yourself and not something you would cut off and throw in the garbage, if it's garbage to you then it's garbage to your puppy also. If your puppy is anything like mine then he will love steak, chicken, pork, roast, noodles, veggies, liver, cereal and lots more.

Answer 8

You should be aware that there is a huge recall of that product because it is tainted. And pets are dying because of it although they can't find the cause. I'd say your vet needs to have another look. Print and make a copy of the listing - take it to your vet.

Here is the site to check the lists of what is all recalled. Keep in mind that the Menu Pet Foods Company also makes and shelves generic brand names of the same foods.

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/

In the mean time here are engine searches for homemade pet foods that you can make yourself.

http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=Homemade+pet+food+recipes&form=QBRE&go.x=11&go.y=7

http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=Homemade+pet+foods&FORM=MSNH

Answer 9

Hey, I have 2 5mo. old pit bull pups and they eat
Purina Puppy chow. They each eat a bowl full - after they go out for morning release. They get half a bowl full around lunch time...after they have been out side running around all morning long. Another full bowl at dinner with a spaghetti spoon full of cooked hamburger meat( rinsed off) and rice...no food after 6pm. I have never had a problem with their appetite and they always eat every last morsel!

Answer 10

trust me i have bred dogs for 27 years if hes hungry hell eat to many soft people think they have to cater to their every need remember its a dog not a person hell eat