My 8 wk old boxer puppy is not crazy about dry food. Is there anyway I can trick her into eating it?

Question

I've tried wetting her food with hot water, to no avail. She's in perfect health and her mood is very good.

I've tried pouring hot water in her food, to no avail. I hate the wet or canned alternatives. She is in perfect health and her mood is great.

Answer 1

At that age, she's still teething. The kibble is best, but sometimes difficult to eat. First, what was she eating at the breeder's? Did you change the type/manufacturer of the food? These are all things to consider. If all else fails, I usually suggest that pet owners use a bit of low salt low fat chicken broth on the food. Not a lot. Just enough to make it appetizing. Also, microwaving just a sec will make it more smelly and draw the puppy toward it. I'm a professional pet trainer, if you have questions, please drop me an email.

Answer 2

At 8 weeks, she's still very much a baby. And she's not too sure about trying out new things - just yet. Wait a while - she'll be chewing all kinds of things...

But on to feeding her.

Make sure her food is an approved puppy formula - buy the good stuff - the cheap brands don't have enough of the nutrients she needs.
Withhold treats - use a lot of praise as reward for doing things right.
Make sure she has access to water at all times.
Wet it with warm water (you've done that)
Add some of her accustomed wet food to it so it will smell more familiar
Make sure she gets plenty of exercise. You get hungry when you work out - so will she.
Make sure her food is fresh every time you feed her.
Feed her more often, but in small amounts - a tablespoon of wet food and a small handful of her dry food.
And relax. She'll eat when she gets hungry.

Answer 3

There are gravy mixes you can buy to put on dry dog food this might help with the taste.
Maybe she does not like the brand of dog food you have.
I have my 14 week old Lab puppy on Purina Pro Plan for puppies. She has been on this food since she was 6 weeks old. This food is very good for their digestive system.
Puppies can have a lot of stomach problems and she has had none.
I don't know what company makes these gravy but I am sure it will not be hard to find. I know Pet Smart will have it or Petco.
Good Luck

Answer 4

Go to the store in the packet isle and buy any packet of dry gravy mix. Make it to the directions on the packet and add to her food.....Let it sit for 5-10 mins to make it soft for her. It will make it soft and give her a lil extra flaovoring and no added fat..Plus it cheaper the the gravy you can find in the pet food isle.. Also it might be she just doesn't like the brand you got for her... Change it to anouther puppy food.... Anouther idea is give it to her as a treat while training her.

I have a 2 yr old sheltie and he is sooo finiky we have tryed almost all the brands and types of dog food until we found 1 he likes and will eat.

Answer 5

I have a female boxer too. Food is just not on her list of priorities. Playing ball is. She will eventually eat when she is hungry. I am a worrier so when I noticed she wouldn't eat, I would scramble up an egg or 2 and mix it in with her kibble. She seemed to enjoy that. She eats normally now, (she's 5) but she would much rather play than eat any day! Unless its bbq!

Answer 6

For how long time has he not eaten?
Is he eating partly?
Does he drink water?
Is he dewormed?

Is normal that puppy’s have worm – and the may loose appetite.

If he is loosing weights, then try giving him puppy milk.
Don’t give up, and start feeding him “strange” “non-dog” food – that can give him physical problems later on.
If the problem consists, then you M U S T consult a wet – it can be a serious problem.
Puppy with no appetite is not at “amateur” problem.

Answer 7

I am a breeder i put a cup of water in the bowl then i pour the food in this so it seems they are eating wet food.

Answer 8

try getting dry puppy food for the smaller breeds. then mix a little in with canned. Keep doing this while slowly increasing the dry and decreasing the canned until eventually it eats dry only.

Answer 9

Try mixing her food with a little bit of like the cannned dog food. Dogs love when the canned food is mixed with their dry food. My dog loves it.

Answer 10

My dog loves her dry food. But I DO put just a little meat of whatever we're having on it. She first eats that and it gets her appetite going, and she eats all her dry food.....Just a little meat won't hurt to spice it up a bit.