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Registered: May 2003

posted 11-06-2003 08:39 AM         

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Wylie is our aussie/dingo/ pit??? mix that found us in the summer of 98. She was a mess and had to spend a week at the vet. People estimated her age all over from 6 months to 2 years, well she has never had an appetite which is strange for a stray, even if we gave her people food, she has to sniff, taste then eat. We always have to stand there while she eats, which can take 15 minutes while she plays with her food, sometimes she doesnt eat at all, we changed her food several times always to the same thing saying she is just a picky eater. About 6 months ago I bought Purina Pro Plan (this was before I did my research into dog fodd) and she loves it! She actually stand at the pantry door waiting to be fed. not eat.

After I read about Purina I have been tempted to change her food but she is eating. Here is my issue, she is now totally opposite Jake, She has become ravenous over the last few days. She wolfs hers down I give her more, she finishes it runs over to Jakes bowl pushes him out of the way and starts to eat his. Then last night I was sitting at the coffee table eating my soup and she just stuck her tongue in and started eating! I told my husband what is going on with her.

He thinks she has had a "Psychological Breakthrough" and now enjoys eating and like food

So what do you guys think?

Honeybear

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posted 11-06-2003 08:46 AM         

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Couldn't hurt to try a better food and see if she will eat it. You can always go back to the Purina if she won't.

Perhaps mix it in really slowly with the food she does like, to make the transition less noticable.

Jamiya

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From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-06-2003 09:02 AM         

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LOL @ "Psychological Breakthrough"! It's hard to say...but it is possible that she was fed grocery store dog food before she found you, that stuff is like junk food for dogs, it's sweet and they add stuff to it to make it palatable to the dog. They get hooked on it just like we get hooked on Cocoa Puffs or McDonalds fries. Has she been checked out by a vet? Did he have an explanation for her not wanting to eat? Is she at a good weight? Take a good look at her, really scope her out, how does she look overall? Healthy skin and coat?
One of the dogs on my flyball team, Poco, refuses to eat frequently, her owner has taken her to her regular vet & a holistic vet. They have tried many many foods. She just doesn't like to eat much and some days nothing. She was a rescue, and they think she was abused but other than that they don't know alot. The dog is "ribby", but she is healthy, she plays flyball, is happy and sociable and loves to romp and play with the other dogs. Her owner finally just accepted that she is how she is and quit worrying about it.

I'll bet you she wouldn't turn down the raw...Darby who has never been a big eater, always picked a kibble at a time, now does a happy dance whenever I go near the fridge or freezer. If you want to try a better quality kibble, do it, buy a small bag and see what she thinks. Remember it may take a while for her to settle into it. On the other hand, if she is currently eating like a lumberjack, this may be the perfect time to switch her. Maybe all the fuss with Jake and food has peaked her interest? Maybe the Dingo in her wants live rabbit for dinner every night lol.

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posted 11-06-2003 09:53 AM         

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Maisey - since I switched her food she has gained 10 # She used to be a little "Ribby" now she is at perfect weight, or maybe a little over but with this new found love of food I dont want her to put any more on, She is the "energizer bunny" and now it is winter her activity level will be down. I think you are right about the type food jump starting her appetite, but this new craving is weird. The vet has said some dogs are like that and they just dont want to eat a lot and since she wasnt skinny she was getting enough and would eat when she wanted to. She has never been sick since we brought her home and her coat looks good. I think I will go the holistic vet and see about this raw food thing

Honeybear

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From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-06-2003 12:00 PM         

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I just did the ph test with Darby, twice to be sure.....YAY! it is exactly where it should be. It has been years since he has been right on, and I think then it was when he was on medication. I have to take Witt and Dooley into the vet today...they have something going on with their eyes, it just started day before yesterday with Dooley and a tiny bit of guck in his eye...now they both have it and Witt has one eye that is looking really icky now. While I am there I am showing my vet the pee strip! yes I am taking a peed on piece of paper into my vets office, lol.

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