My dog will not eat his Purina Dog Chow? He will only eat the cats food or ours, what should I do?

Question

My dog is a Mini Dachshund and he has ate some of his food, but he now eats the cats, and now he does not eat really and he is hungry but I don't know what to do? Should I get him a new kind or is ok if he eats the cat's food?

Answer 1

Purina is not very nutritous or good for your dachshund - he needs more protein, which is why he prefers the cat food.

Go to a pet store or feed store like Ranch Hand or Tractor Supply and get good dry - Canidae is good, others like it.

The first ingredient listed should be meat, not corn or fillers, which is the case in cheap supermarket stuff.

Ideal is 30 percent protein from a single meat source and 18 percent fat.

Good food is cheaper than vetting, which your dog will need later in life if he isn't fed properly.

Answer 2

For the short term I would say it is ok...but i would make sure to get him some dog food here soon. Many dogs like the cat food because it is easier to chew (if they actually chew it since it is smaller). The formulation for the 2 different animal food is different and that is for a reason. I would put the cat food in a different place and have the dog start eating out of his own bowl...your cat may now not be getting the food that they need since the dog is eating their food. Also if you want to entice him to eat his own food try mixing an egg in with his food...it will help his coat and he will more likely start eating his food better. Another thought is he may not have been getting enough food to fill his appetite in the first place, which may be why he started eating the cat's food.....just a thought.

Answer 3

Don't let him eat the cat food, it's not that great for dogs. Neither is people food. He might not like the Purina. Try another brand and see if he likes it better. Of course, he'd rather eat the cat food or people food, but you can't let him. So put the cat food where he can't get it and leave his dog food out. When he gets hungry enough, he'll eat it.

Answer 4

Cat food is extra smelly as cats are super picky...so dogs like it as well, but it's very bad for dogs. Put the cat food up, where the cat can get it, but the dog cannot.

Stop feeding him people food. At least not random scraps. If you want to make his food, it takes quite a lot of research to keep his diet balanced. If you do want to give him some people food (learn what is safe for him) mix it into the kibble so he is still eating his food. Don't let him beg or eat from your plate.

Stop letting him eat cat food.

Feed him on a schedule, I usually feed twice a day morning and evening. Purina Dog Chow has a lot of fillers and is not that great. It's ok, but many dogs get flaky skin on it and less shiny coat.

Only leave the food down for 20 minutes and then pick it up.
Don't fuss with him, don't stare at him. Just put the food down and go about your business.

Some dogs prefer to eat in a crate, some prefer to eat with you in the room. I prefer my dogs to eat when I give them food.

I'd got check out your local feed store or pet store. We have Pet Food Express around here and they actually study about the foods that they sell and can give you good information. Not just "we sell a lot of it, so it must be good".

Read labels. http://www.fda.gov/cvm/petlabel.htm

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=668

This lists many of the foods that use human grade ingredients...they are more expensive, but the dogs eat less of it and poop less out...so the price is about the same over time. If you feed a cheap kibble, the dog has to eat more and poop more so you buy more often.

I feed Innova Evo , so I'd recommend any Natura made food.

I avoid foods with corn or wheat as one of the first 5 ingredients..they aren't very digestible and many dogs are allergic to them. Natura, maker of Innova and California Natural does not use corn and not much of any grain.

I'd also recommend Flint River Ranch as I've heard good things about there food.

Answer 5

He eats the cat food because it tastes better then his..
take the cat food away so he cannot reach it..incorporate fresh chicken necks twice a week..try My Dog if your dog does not eat his food in the first 15 minutes take the plate away..always make sure you have adequate fresh water available at all times.
good luck

Answer 6

move the cat food so that he can't get to it and don't feed him from the table....it is more likely that he likes the cat food and human food better than his (most dogs do) so he will make you think that he is starving to get you to give him what he wants.....he will eat his own food when he is hungry if he no longer has access to the cat food and yours....don't worry to much about a hunger strike....he'll probably do it but in time he'll eat his food again

Answer 7

Cat food is for cats, Purina Dog Chow.. Hmmm.. I don't know what that's good for.. I would buy a good quality kibble.. Put it down for him, he'll eat.

Answer 8

put the cat food up were he cant get to it. with a dashchund you dont want them to get heavy, that will put extra strain on their little backs. tough love, no scraps, when he gets hungery enough he will eat his food