Wet Food

[4Maddie44]

My Bichon does not like dry food.  I have tried him on a few, but they all seem to come in large, expensive bags.  I want to try out to see if he will eat dry food.  Also it has to be small pieces.

Since I rescued him I have given him foil trays of meat.  I also give him home cooked chicken which he loves.  I have put little mixers in with wet food, and he sometimes eats them, sometimes leaves them.

Now he is blind, he finds it difficult not to get meaty bits all around his feeding dish.  Before he would eat them up, but now he cannot find them, even by smell, so I am always clearing the floor up.

I end up with food he will not eat if I buy the dry kind.  Any suggestions?

[Sally_rocks]

Just experiment with different things, maybe do some googling or ask your vet.

[Sally_rocks]

Give him rice and chicken, it's meant to be good. I mean that's what we've always given our dogs, as puppies.

Also, it's good for them to eat dog bickies and dried food, as it's meant to be good for their teeth and nutrition.

[seeana]

Hi ... after the trauma that he has gone through with his blindness it wont hurt to give him what he likes.... I agree with Blondie ! also I think he has been through enough stress through his blindness.So just spoil him.


My guys love those bone shaped dog bickies just for a treat,they taste yummy and you can buy them in a box they are called Bonio's over here.
Also I never have to throw our left over wholemeal bread away as I slow cook them in the oven until they become very crunchie my dogs love them.

He would have a heightened sense of smell so its not that he cant find the meaty bits he just cant be bothered.... its just his way of telling you Im not interested.

So get cooking ....it will make you  look after yourself as well lol.

[2nodumbblondie]

For sweet little Toby...I can certainly understand that you don't want to spend $20 for 2 lbs. of dog food, who would??  Most dogs don't like dry food.  I can see why, it certainly doesn't resemble anything they would eat in the wild.  Your dog can't find it because it doesn't smell like anything he would recognize as food.  Dry food, in particular, is not good for dogs.  I personally believe that all commercial dog food is not good for them.  Since he likes it and seems to be able to smell it so he can find it, why don't you consider giving him meat.  I started home cooking for my dog due to his severe medical conditions and I can't tell you how much it has helped him.  I give him 1/4 brown rice, 1/4 raw or cooked vegetables (cooked are the leftovers from the family) and 1/2 raw chicken, beef or turkey. I make enough so that it lasts 6-7 days before I have to make more.  Because there are no fillers, additives, etc. you can feed your dog alot less because he is getting wholesome food and no junk.  Overall, it costs me much less than buying high end commercial food.  FYI-my holistic vet told me to give him a multi vitiman (with no iron) every day.  He takes the same vitamin the family does.  His health is improving every day-I am so thankful.

[4Maddie44]

Thank you for your replies.  I will continue to give Toby meaty food.  He has lost weight since he went blind, as he seems less interested in treats.  I always give him his favourite treat which he can sniff out with difficulty.  He will eat a couple of thos a day.  He seems fit enough, although a little thin.  Has a lovely silky Bichon tail!!

[katrinika]

My doggies would LOVE to get wet food, but my experience with it is that I can't control their weight.  Instead I give them dry food liberally doused with a low salt canned chicken broth.  I can't afford expensive dog food, either, so I read the ingredients on all the dog foods on the grocery aisle until I find one that seems about as good as I can get at a reasonable price - I'm currently using Lassie - Natural Way - chicken meal rice and oatmeal.  It's hard to find ANYTHING they don't react allergically to.  If I had more gumption I'd cook their food from scratch.    

As for the mess around the bowl - switch to a bowl with higher sides, he'll have more time to find the bits before they get pushed out.  

[4Maddie44]

Thanks.  I did look up ZiwiPeak on internet.  Someone said it was $20 for a 2lb bag.  That puts it out of my that range as I live on government pension and benefits.

Did not know Bichons were better on wet food.  That makes me think I do not have to feel guilty about feeding Toby meaty food.  He loves it.

Thanks, I will continue as I am.  I had the idea that dry food was better for our dogs.

Anne

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Maddie......See if you can find "ZiwiPeak" where you live....On their webpage, ZiwiPeak(Dot)Com, there will be a UK link......This is a fabulous food!!!  The canned & dry (Not really dry, but more like jerky) are both perfect!

If you contact the company through an email, they will send you 3 samples of food & a bag of treats.....This way you could try it without waste....

I think this one would be worth a shot as I've never seen a dog turn it down......

Kisses to Toby.................Karla

P.S. Bichons are prone to kidney disease & stones....That said, WET food is better to help flush out the system......Just a thought......