FloppyToby

i recently switched toby's food from purina to iams because, being a poor 20 yr old living on her own, it was on sale so i went for it. but toby i don't think is very happy with the change and he barely eats it. he'll just stare at it, then look at me like "seriously??" has this happened to anyone or does anyone have a picky eater like this? i bought a large bag of the food and i don't want to just run out and buy something and have wasted that money on the food. is there a way i can get him to eat?

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A basset is an asset!

Basset Momma

You might try a bit of broth or mix it with some of his favorite food- I put baked chicken breast sprinkles on my dogs food- but it is because one is a diabetic and needs the extra protein for the insulin... and the others don't think it fair that she gets something they don't! Sometimes they can be a bit... well... stubborn!

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-Wendy
Mom to Samantha, Jake, Cuddy, Frodo, & Indy

SophieB

I agree with Basset Momma and would try mixing some gravy with it or soften it with some warm water because that gives it a bit of a smell and probably more taste, that Toby might prefer. My Bassets eat anything and everything but when they were small I always moistened the dry Eukanuba puppy food with warm water as it was easier on their teeth and they eat it dry now but I do mix a small amount of tinned dog meat with it most days (twice a day for their age) and sometimes they share a tin of sardines and like it mixed in with the dried food.

I think having two together helps because they are each afraid the other will eat their food so they woof everything down! I also sometimes mix in some cooked carrots, broccoli or cauliflower and they like that as well.

I think it's best not to 'suddenly' change their food, but best to mix in a bit of both, gradually reducing one and increasing the new food until it's all new food you are giving Toby. If you are 20 years old and on your own, have you anyone to help you and presumably you go to work or Uni.... what happens to Toby during the day if you are out? Bassets love company of other Bassets and people so hopefully Toby has company most of the time or he will get very easily bored and hounds need a lot of stimulation!

I forgot to ask you how old is Toby and how often is he fed?

FloppyToby

i work monday through friday, and i live with my boyfriend who works mostly nights so he watches him and takes him out and what not during the day. i feed him once before i go to work and once when i get home and i work on his training at nights so he eats lots of treats also. he's almost 5 months old. i started mixing in cans of tuna with his food and he eats that just fine. but i really dont want to have to start buying tuna just for him. of course i would if i had to. the things we do for our dogs..

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A basset is an asset!

FloppyToby

oh but for some reason he's really drawn to my cat's food and has a couple times been sneaky and eaten all her food.

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A basset is an asset!

Mikey T

That is because it is much higher in fat and protein content make it much tastier.

as for picky eaters keep in mind picky eater are greated not born. It is by accomidating the dog that a first does not eat with a tastier verison that the dog learns that by refuing to eat it can get something better. Provided the food is not spoiled un like cats a dog will not starve itself to deat if it is hungry it will eat.

Simply put the bowl down in 10 to 15 minutes pick it u. f the dog is not eatind do not offer it treates between meals nor offer the food bowl till the next schedule meal
The dog will eventually eat.

FloppyToby

thanks mikey t. as i was giving the brat another can of tuna this morning i thought "hmmm. this can't be good he's getting spoiled rotten." i'll do what you suggested!

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A basset is an asset!

songlibah

Much like picky toddlers, I have yet to know of a dog who allowed themselves to starve to death just because they didn't like the menu.

They get hungry enough....they WILL eat.

But, also, as stated above, it is generally best not to make sudden changes in the diet. You can get everything from allergic reactions to upset stomachs to refusals to eat...and most of these can be avoided by a slow transition to the new food.

Just offer the new food to him, leave it down 15-20 minutes each time and he will eventually give in.

Marie

Mom2Flash

There are many of us with a lot of love in our hearts but rarely a dime in our pocket. While feeding a pet can be costly, it doesn't have to break you. Flash has eaten Pedigree since we got him because that is what our Lab eats and it is much easier to have them on the same food. Maybe I was just used to how a lab eats (like he's never getting another meal!) but Flash wasn't eating as well as I thought he should so I started buying the canned wet food and mixing it with the dry pedigree and he loves it! I agree with the others that suddenly changing a dog's food is not usually a good idea, but there are ways to snag that great bargain and still keep your pet happy. I have just one word for you.....COUPONS!

I'm always on the lookout for Pedigree coupons since that is their main food and try to wait til I find a good sale. I recently got a couple of 40lb bags at Target for $16 each or $.40/lb. I pay pennies on the dollar for canned food using coupons. For example, recently in some areas there were Mighty Dog coupons in the sunday paper coupon inserts for a free can up to $.99 and $3 off 5 cans. Wal-Mart has Mighty Dog priced at $.57/can in my area so 5 cans is $2.85, use the $3 coupon and they are free! There are many sites on the internet to get coupons. When I heard about this I got 20 of each coupon for $7. With the coupons I'll be able to get 120 cans of Mighty Dog for free. Taking into consideration I spent $7 for the coupons that is only about 6 cents a can! Since Flash gets one can a day that is a 4 month supply of wet food!

If I find a good deal or free sample of other dry food, I simply mix a little in with the Pedigree. If I normally feed him a cup of Pedigree, I'll give him 3/4 cup Pedigree and 1/4 cup of the other dry food. Not too much of a change to upset his belly, but still helps stretch the food $. I recently signed up for a free sample of beneful and he didn't mind it at all. The only thing that hasn't ever agreed with him is Moist/Meaty (threw up!) but our lab happily ate the rest of the box so it didn't go to waste. Sorry this is so lengthly, but I hope it helps!

FloppyToby

mom2flash thats so great!!! my mom has been an avid coupon clipper all her life and she was actually about to make me a coupon box lol. i'll be sure to look for dog food coupons!

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A basset is an asset!