What to feed my dog?

Question

My dog has a very sensitive stomache and I don't know what to feed her. If I give her canned food then she throws it up. If I give her dry food she won't eat it. She just sniffs it and go away. It's never touched.

Some people say to try the science diet? Can somebody explain to me what it is and how it helps?

Well I wanted to ask before having to spend money to go to the vet.

Oh I know she would never starve herself, but I didn't want it to sound like I wasn't feeding her or something.

She is pomeranian/ dacshund mix.

Answer 1

I cook food for my dogs, rice, meat, vegatables, etc. Ask your vet their suggestion

Answer 2

Science Diet really isn't that great of a food. I would highly recommend you try Canidae All Life Stages Dry Food. I breed Chihuahuas and I own #8! That's what I feed my dogs and they love it, are very healthy and have beautiful coats. Canidae is made in the USA, has NO corn, wheat, soy, grain fractions, fillers or by products, it's human grade, and is naturally preserved. Some of the Benefits of Canidae are: #1} Four Human Grade Meats- Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, and Fish, #2} 10 Natural Skin Conditioners, #3} Balanced Omega 6@3 Fatty Acids, #4} Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics, and Superior Digestibility, #5} Guaranteed Enzyme Activity, #6} Antioxidant Vitamins @ Amino Acids, Chelated Minerals, #7} Excellent for Problem Skin @ Allergies, #8} Holistic and Herbal Benefits, #9} Formulated for All Life Stages-Puppies, Adults, Seniors, and Overweight Dogs, #10} Excellent Palpability. My Chihuahuas were alway's picky eaters, with sensitive tummies, but the second I bought the Canidae for them, they went right for it, no problem, and have never gotten sick to their stomachs. If you want you can start off with a 5 lb bag, just to see if she likes it, and if she does, you can alway's get a bigger bag later. Canidae is very reasonably priced for such a high quality food. When I first started my dogs on it, just to try it, I paid $7.99 for a 5lb bag. If you still have a problem getting her to eat, then it might be related to a health problem, and would be a good idea to see a vet.

Answer 3

Lamb & Rice is usually the best type of dry dog food to get for a dog with a sensitive stomach. Science Diet is good, but I've been using Prurina One because it's available at my local store (don't use anything that says "chow" on the lable). My vet recommended Pruina Pro Plan. If you get a better dog food, it will be more nutritious for your dog and keep your dog healthier. Table scraps and other people-food will tear up a dog's stomach. If your dog still won't eat the food, try mixing a treat (i.e. broken up beggin strips) with the food in a bag overnight. That way the food will smell and taste like a treat. You can also add a little bit of the wet food (or i use a dab of peanutbutter) to entice the dog.

Answer 4

One thing, your dog will not starve, it will eat. So don't give in to it not eating.

Now, you need to feed your dog a premium dog food. Cheaper foods have fillers in them that could be causing your dog its stomach problems. Science Diet is okay, but there are better foods out there. I would look at foods like Canidae, Natural Balance, California Blend, Wellness, Wysong to name a few.

I'm glad you are going to the vet, you need to make sure that there is nothing physically wrong with your dog. I would also ask the vet about good foods that would be gentle on your dogs stomach. She just may have a sensitive stomach.

Answer 5

Science Diet is a brand of dog food you can pick up in any pet store. What breed is she? Believe it or not, there is an old probverb that also works with dogs. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is actually true for some breeds of dogs too. I have a Newfoundlander and he gets a chopped up apple in his food everyday. This breed is nitorious for having a sour stomach, and that is what the breeder has told me to do. Try to throw in some whole grains as well, this might help "soak " up her stomach as well. Have your dog checked for worms as well to be safe.

Answer 6

Science diet is good.
Stay away from foods where grain or corn is the first listed ingredient.
A PREMIUM lamb and rice formula is good for dogs with a weak stomach.
You can try mixing a tablespoonful of plain yogurt with the dry. That helps sometimes.

Answer 7

My vet said to be consistent with the food and use the same brand of treats as we do food. You should probably quit using the wet food. Your dog won't starve itself so just set out her dry food and eventually she will eat it when she gets too hungry.

Answer 8

Blue Buffalo dog food is the best. I tried all different kinds of dog food for my pup, but everything made his tummy upset except for this one. It is about $20 for a 15 pound bag - and the only places i have seen it is Petsmart or online.

Answer 9

The vet should be able to suggest something. If you are switching brands alot though the dog will throw up if she isn't use to it. If you give her the same thing and she is still throwing up after a few days then there is a problem.

Answer 10

I would ask your vet, its importantb to have the proper diet for your dog. Try taking your dog to a store where he can sniff around, so you can see what he might like.

Answer 11

I would NEVER suggest Science diet! I would suggest Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance.. http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/home.html I would suggest that you try the sweet potato and fish or the potato and duck.. We had our dogs on the original Natural Balance, but they are the same way as your pup so we put them on the duck and potato. They are both for dogs that have food allergies which might be the reason you dog isn't eating. Different foods work for different dogs so, it might take a little while to figure out what is going to work for your dog, but you need to get a high quality food.. Oh, and never talk to a vet about nutrition.. they only know what the dog food companies have told them. That would be like asking your doctor questions that you should be asking your nutritionist.

This helped us when we were finding a food. As you can see, the Natural Balance that we are feeding our pups scored a 114.. It is a little more expensive than some other foods..it is about $26.00 for a 17 pound bag, but it is worth it for a good quality food! : )

Here's a kibble rating chart

You will need your kibble's list of ingredients, as found on the bag (or oftentimes their website).
Please note, however, this is for ingredients ONLY.... so before feeding a pup be sure to look at
the protein and fat and calcium and calories in the Guaranteed Analysis.

Start with a grade of 100:

For every listing of "by-product", subtract 15 points

For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract
10 points

If there are no specific meats or meat meals, subtract 25 points

For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, or grain "middlings", subtract 10 points

If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 15 points

If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground
brown rice", "brewer’s rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points for each
occurrence

If the protein sources are not (specific) meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3
ingredients, subtract 3 points

If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 5 points

If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points (subtract 5 if corn is listed in the
top 5 ingredients)

If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 3 points

If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources),
subtract 2 points

If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 5 points

If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points

If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to beef), subtract 1 point

If it contains salt, subtract 3 points

If it contains corn syrup, molasses, or other added sweetener, subtract 10 points

Extra Credit:

For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and
"chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "turkey" as 2 different sources - do
not count egg, cheese, or other similar ingredients), add 1 point

If the food contains 3 or less different mentions of grains (or other high-carb plant-based foods
like potatoes), add 5 points

If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points (if the number 1 ingredient is organic meat,
add 10 points)

If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 3 points

If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points

If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points

If the food contains fruit or vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points

If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

If the food contains barley or oats or oatmeal, add 1 point

If it contains sunflower, hemp, flaxseed, or other polyunsaturated vegetable oils, add 3 points
(add 5 if it is the #1 fat)

If the vitamin and mineral sources are chelated, add 5 points

94-100+ = A

86-93 = B

78-85 = C

70-77 = D

<70 = F


Food Grade Results
A's Score
A+ Chicken Soup for the pet lovers soul 113
A+ Eagle Pack Holistic chicken 114
A+ Eagle Pack Holistic LG and Giant Breed Adlt 113
A+ Eagle Pack Natural 104
A+ Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison 136
A+ Solid Gold Bison 123
A+ Solid Gold Wolf King 109
A+ Solid Gold Hund N flocken 105
A+ Solid Gold Mmillennia 111
A+ Innova 117
A+ Natural Balance Duck and Potato 114
A+ Canidae 119
A+ Foundations Chicken and Vegetable 109
A+ Flint River Ranch Fish and Chips 109
A+ Wysong Synorgon 110
A+ Flint River Ranch Lamb, Millet and Rice 117
A+ Back to Basics 107

B's
B Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice 87

C's
C Nutro Lamb and Rice 85

D's
D Iams Lamb and Rice 74

F's
F Pedigree Adult Complete 14
F Ol'Roy 9
F Science Diet Chicken Adult Maintainance 45
F Purina Beniful original 23
All Purina and Pro Plan foods rate as a F
F Pro Plan Giant Breed Adult 41
F Pro Plan Performance 53
F Pro Plan Chicken and Rice
F Purina Dog chow
F Purina Large Breed 40
F Diamond Lamb and Rice 61
F Diamond Performance (formerly professional)
F Diamond Large Breed 55