[kingjonesy]

My 2 year old male cockapoo Monty has never been that excited by his food. We've been through the majority of what’s considered the upper market foods, such as Hills, James Wellbeloved etc.

I'm not sure if this is our doing as when he was younger we used to just leave his food bowl out and he'd graze on it throughout the day. Then when we started going to dog classes they said that this was bad for the dog and to keep to set meal times.

So we then started to remove the food bowl after 30-60 minutes each evening after we put it down. We did this for some time, but Monty just didn't eat or if he did only a small amount of it.

We went to a local pet shop where they sell some food for fussy eaters. It's just loose and sold by the kg etc. We started to add this to his James Wellbeloved, with a splash of water and warmed in the microwave. Someone told use that warming it brings the smell out and may encourage him.

He did show more of an interest so we decided to leave the bowl down over night. By the morning it is usually empty. This is what we've been doing for some time now.

But the issues I'm faced with are as follows:

1. The pet shop food we add is rubbish!! Full of random things (even plastic!!!)
2. If we leave it out overnight our new puppy wants to get at it
3. I want Monty to bite my hand off at the thought of his food\meal time!
4. I want to be feeding both dogs the same in the long term (a good dog food, currently in mind is Orijen)

This afternoon I'm going over to Kennel Gate to get some Orijen for Monty.

Fingers crossed he likes this one!!

Any tips on how to get Monty eating and boost his eagerness around meal times??

Rich

 

[wilfiboy]

Hi Rich, hope its all going well with your new baby. How intersting Wilfs always been fussy, we fed barf when he was a pup making the patties, which he ate to start with but evevntually went off that then I ve been through most brands like you say trying to find something that he'd love... bags would last forever !! Im surprised that having Oscar has nt worked cos Wilf has eaten more consistently since getting mable, cos she's an entirely different, food orientated creature and would eat his. I have to stand and observe as she would finish hers then go and start on his and he would let her. I've recently swithched to orijens but would nt particularly say he is any better a couple of times this weeks he's walked away .The only thing he consistently eats and LOVES is his chicken wings they both have one a day ... have you tired what Helen / Dylansmum uses he might prefer something thats great for you but not dry ... I keep forgetting what its called dont want to get it wrong..Im sure Helen will post soon x

 

[kingjonesy]

Yes, all is going well thanks, Oscar is fine. Monty is starting to play a little with him. Although it does just tend to be a game of chase!!

I did think that Monty would start to eat when we got Oscar. But like Wilf, Monty will just stand and watch Oscar eat his own then move onto Monty's food.

 

[JulesB]

Betty is fussy too and will eat a few biscuits and then walk away. Some days she clears the bowl but very rarely. The good thing is that she is cheap to keep in terms of food!! I've tried a number of foods and she is the same with everything other than fresh meat or cheese. Now I give her some fresh meat or frankfurter sausage with her food and also often add half a carrott chopped uip as she loves this too. I don't worry too much as she isn't losing wieght and has loads of energy and a shiny coat so I figure all is well!!

I think its difficult as you worry that they don't like the food whereas I've come to realise that they are just crafty monkeys who realise that you worry and if they don't eat there food they get nicer stuff instead!!

 

[Dylansmum]

... have you tired what Helen / Dylansmum uses he might prefer something thats great for you but not dry ... I keep forgetting what its called dont want to get it wrong..Im sure Helen will post soon x

Hi Rich, I get my food from
http://www.naturalinstinct.com
It's basically minced human grade meat and bone with added veggies and supplements to make it a complete, balanced diet. It's a really easy way to feed BARF and not too expensive - about 60p per day. They deliver frozen to your door or there are some suppliers listed who sell it. You buy in 1kg packs and keep them in the fridge once defrosted. I'm feeding their puppy food at the moment, but about to switch to the chicken and turkey.
Dylan has always been a good eater - I think he would scoff anything I put in front of him, but maybe fresh food would tempt Monty more.

 

[kingjonesy]

Thanks Jules\Helen,

I like the look and the theory of the raw meat\bones etc, I'm just a fan of the dry foods for convenience.
I may get some and give it a try, but I'll probably only give it to him as the occasional treat.
Monty isn’t losing any weight either, the issue is the worry that he hates the food we’re giving him really.
Rich

 

[Jukee Doodles]

Hi

We feed the raw meaty bones to our dogs, it's fantastic for them and they love it but it is a faff. Helen's idea of naturalinstinct sounds a really interesting one. I've not heard of that before but will research it as an alternative to complete food for our new puppy owners.

One thing I seems to remember from the www.rawmeatybones.com website is that dogs were not evolved to eat cereal. Also that they struggle to digest both cereal and raw diet at the same time as it requires different enzymes to digest. They suggest that you choose one or the other so as to not create digestive problems. You might want to check those facts out and see what conclusions you find.

Hope you find a workable solution.

 

[wilfiboy]

Jukee Doodles what exactly do you feed, Ive looked into raw meaty bones before but always felt I might get it wrong, mine have a chicken wing a day which is their favourite have given ribs and rabbit before but like anything else its having the confidence and not wanting to do anything wrong, its just not that specific on the site I looked at . Any pointers would be appreciated x

 

[Jukee Doodles]

We used to feed Purina Pro Plan complete. We did a lot of research on the Barf and the Raw Meaty Bones diets and eventually decided to try it with all of our dogs, cold turkey! As I mentioned they apparently can't digest the raw stuff and the cereal simultaneously. So now we just feed RAW chicken boned out carcasses, no legs, and very little flesh on them. We buy them fresh, in bulk from a poultry producer then freeze them. A working cocker or cockapoo of about 12 kg will eat one small carcass a day. Every couple of weeks they have one starve day because it is a natural occurrence.
We read that we should also feed them veg, mince and egg mix every day but in practice they don't need or want it so often. We have found that every three weeks or so they are ready for the veg and will start to pull grass roots themselves. So we steam any root and leafy veg, NO garlic, leaks or onions though as they are toxic. We mix it hot in a bucket with an electric drill and a plaster mixer, and add some frozen dog mince and a raw egg with shell one for every dog. Whizz it to a mush and feed it in addition to the chicken carcass. Once cool enough they have a big ladleful each. We don't feed them any shop bought treats that are cereal based, but use cheddar cheese to train and reward them.
The benefits we have found is that all of the dogs have fantastically clean teeth, great condition even the nursing bitches don't loose weight, glossy coats, pleasant breath, far less poo that is very firm and practically odorless. Plus it's reduced our feed bill by over half.

It might not be everyones cup of tea, it does take some organising but for us it's a result.

 

[wilfiboy]

Cheers good to know exactly what someone gives and from your site the proofs in the pudding x

 

[Dylansmum]

That's great. You go to the top of my breeders list! It's a shame I'm not looking for another cockapoo!!
I've also seen the difference that barf makes to the teeth, breath, poo etc, and have fed it to previous dogs, but being a busy and fairly lazy mum, I was really pleased this time to find a company who do all the work for you and mix it up into one convenient complete food. They use raw veggies, but double grind them to break them down enough for the nourishment to be absorbed. The only thing I give as an addition is lamb or beef bones as treats. Haven't got the heart to do the fast though!

 

[embee]

That's great. You go to the top of my breeders list! It's a shame I'm not looking for another cockapoo!!
I've also seen the difference that barf makes to the teeth, breath, poo etc, and have fed it to previous dogs, but being a busy and fairly lazy mum, I was really pleased this time to find a company who do all the work for you and mix it up into one convenient complete food. They use raw veggies, but double grind them to break them down enough for the nourishment to be absorbed. The only thing I give as an addition is lamb or beef bones as treats. Haven't got the heart to do the fast though!

So Helen, I'm being seduced by all the BARF talk. How do you work it with Dylan. Do the packs come in meal sized frozen pieces or do you defrost a pack in the fridge then use it over a few days. How much does Dylan eat each day? 1 or 2 meals a day? Could you explain how you work it day to day, how much you bulk buy and how long it lasts!!!!!

 

[Dylansmum]

So Helen, I'm being seduced by all the BARF talk. How do you work it with Dylan. Do the packs come in meal sized frozen pieces or do you defrost a pack in the fridge then use it over a few days. How much does Dylan eat each day? 1 or 2 meals a day? Could you explain how you work it day to day, how much you bulk buy and how long it lasts!!!!!

The food comes in 1kg packs, frozen. There are some ranges in 400g packs, but they are more expensive. They despatch the day you order for next day delivery in an insulated box so they stay frozen and you just pop them in your freezer. If you're out, they just leave it outside the house. I currently have decreased Dylan from puppy levels down to about 240g a day, split into 2 meals. I was feeding 360g but now that's too much. They recommend for puppies 5-6% of their body weight per day and for adults 2-3%. Once out of the freezer, they're fine in the fridge for about 4 days, and if you forget to defrost you can scrape it out and feed it semi-frozen after about half hour out of the freezer. So it's pretty convenient. I'm just about to switch from the puppy mix to the adult chicken and will also try the turkey which is on special offer at the moment. I usually order about 10-12 kilos at a time but it depends on your freezer space. So one 1kg pack lasts about 4-5 days. They are also very helpful if you have any queries. There are some suppliers across the UK where you can buy it - the list is on the website. BTW they do a friend referral scheme where we both get £5 off I think, so mention me (Helen Conway) if you're going to try it!!

 

[embee]

The food comes in 1kg packs, frozen.

Thanks - I might take the plunge and give Natural Instinct in the morning and Orijen in the evening. One last question - How big is a 1kg box so I can figure how many I can fit in the freezer??

 

[Dylansmum]

Thanks - I might take the plunge and give Natural Instinct in the morning and Orijen in the evening. One last question - How big is a 1kg box so I can figure how many I can fit in the freezer??

9" x 7" x 1 3/4"
If you try it, let me know how you get on.

 

[JulesB]

I know Applaws food has been mentioned on here previously and, as like anything, am sure it works well for some dogs but not others, however I thought I would give it a try as Betty has resorted to not eating any of her biscuits in the last three or four days. I bought a 700g bag and brought it home, stuck about 20 pieces in her bowl and she ate all of it! Then put another 20 bits in there and she ate it all again!! Going to take her out for a walk later and then give her another bowl of Applaws for her dinner and see if she eats it again, if she does I will be VERY impressed as she hasn't cleared a bowl of food in months!! Also I am going to stop giving her meat or carrot with her food and if she finishes her food then I will give her a couple of pieces of meat so that she learns she has to eat her food first - lets see how that goes too!!!!!

 

[Dylansmum]

I know Applaws food has been mentioned on here previously and, as like anything, am sure it works well for some dogs but not others, however I thought I would give it a try as Betty has resorted to not eating any of her biscuits in the last three or four days. I bought a 700g bag and brought it home, stuck about 20 pieces in her bowl and she ate all of it! Then put another 20 bits in there and she ate it all again!! Going to take her out for a walk later and then give her another bowl of Applaws for her dinner and see if she eats it again, if she does I will be VERY impressed as she hasn't cleared a bowl of food in months!!

Applaws was the first dry food I tried for Dylan when I first got him. The ingredients are pretty good - it was the best I saw until I came across Orijen, which is a bit better. Dylan ate it ok (he eats everything!) but for the first few days I had him he had a bad tummy which I was trying to clear up, and the Applaws seemed to make it worse. It wasn't until he went onto Natural Instinct that his tummy cleared up. But it's definitely one of the better kibbles. Hope it works for you.

 

[JulesB]

Applaws was the first dry food I tried for Dylan when I first got him. The ingredients are pretty good - it was the best I saw until I came across Orijen, which is a bit better. Dylan ate it ok (he eats everything!) but for the first few days I had him he had a bad tummy which I was trying to clear up, and the Applaws seemed to make it worse. It wasn't until he went onto Natural Instinct that his tummy cleared up. But it's definitely one of the better kibbles. Hope it works for you.

I'd like to try Natural Instinct but don't have ba big freezer and need something that its easy for the dag walker to feed for those days when Betty is at hers longer than normal so its finding that balance. I was going to try Orijen awhile back but the guy who owns the local pet shop told me it was really expensive for what it is and that other brands were better value for money and equally as good.

It's all trial and error isn't it in the end! I know dogs that are prefectly healthy yet eat food that here isn't a chance I would feed to Betty!! I think when they are smaller its easier to get them decent food as they don't need as much so the cost is so much less!!!

 

[embee]

Jukee Doodles what exactly do you feed, Ive looked into raw meaty bones before but always felt I might get it wrong, mine have a chicken wing a day which is their favourite have given ribs and rabbit before but like anything else its having the confidence and not wanting to do anything wrong, its just not that specific on the site I looked at . Any pointers would be appreciated x

Have you switched yours to Orijen? What do you do at the moment give them kibble (Orijen) for one meal then a chicken wing for the other meal?

 

[Jukee Doodles]

Hi Jules

It's understandable that you want to keep the food convenient to fit in with your lifestyle. We too, up till now, wean our puppies onto Royal Canin Medium Junior complete kibble as the new families will carry on the same food when they take them home, as raw diet is not what most people want to do. (From this thread, now that we know that Natural Instinct diet is an option for puppy buyers we are considering weaning our pups onto a Raw diet too) However it is well worth remembering that dogs didn't evolve to eat cereal at all and some dogs are at least intolerant and at worst allergic to cereal. That might be what Betty is trying to tell you indirectly. Maybe you could see if she is better with a convenient cereal free dog food? Just a thought.