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Hi! My Bella is full of quirks. ONE of them is her eating habits. She's 2 years & 4 mnths old. Is VERY healthy, but I worry about her eating. Sometimes she just won't eat at all for days.

Firstly, she is allergic to chicken, so I can't feed her that.

I cook for her (beef or lamb mince with rice and/or vegies), but she hardly even nibbles at it. I have tried all sorts of recipes and flavours, but nothing really excites her.

When we're at her Nana's house she will eat whatever she's given. I have taken EXACTLY what she's eaten at Nana's house back to MY house, but she's not interested!

So I thought ... maybe she doesn't like the dog bowl. Tried a plate - still no real interest.

I recently tried some Hills Science Diet Oral Care (dry food) for her - and she LOVES it! She thinks it's a special treat.

I have been leaving her cooked food out during the day, but she won't touch it, so I have given her some Oral Care at night.

Is it ok to just feed her dry food? Her poos have been PERFECT since she's started eating it. Plentiful, but perfect.

What do you think?

Abigail.

>>Hi! My Bella is full of quirks. ONE of them is her eating habits. She's 2 years & 4 mnths old. Is VERY healthy, but I worry about her eating. Sometimes she just won't eat at all for days.
>>
>>Firstly, she is allergic to chicken, so I can't feed her that.
>>
>>I cook for her (beef or lamb mince with rice and/or vegies), but she hardly even nibbles at it. I have tried all sorts of recipes and flavours, but nothing really excites her.
>>
>>When we're at her Nana's house she will eat whatever she's given. I have taken EXACTLY what she's eaten at Nana's house back to MY house, but she's not interested!
>>
>>So I thought ... maybe she doesn't like the dog bowl. Tried a plate - still no real interest.
>>
>>I recently tried some Hills Science Diet Oral Care (dry food) for her - and she LOVES it! She thinks it's a special treat.
>>
>>I have been leaving her cooked food out during the day, but she won't touch it, so I have given her some Oral Care at night.
>>
>>Is it ok to just feed her dry food? Her poos have been PERFECT since she's started eating it. Plentiful, but perfect.
>>
>>What do you think?
>>
>> Abigail.
>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Trying to tempt a dog to eat turns her into a picky eater. Have your vet check to make sure she's healthy and that the food you are giving her is nutritionally good for her. Then put it in front of her, give her 20 minutes to eat, and take it away. Since she's so tiny, maybe 3-4 meals a day, but just those few minutes to eat, and no changing foods to tempt her. It's important that a dog learn to eat, for her own health.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Oops! I accidentally attached an old photo of her when she was a little puppy. She's older now (and quite big for a Chi)!

She's 3.7kgs (which is 8.14 pounds).

Given that, is it ok to feed her once a day (20 minute rule), then nothing until the next day?

I probably shouldn't give her a treat ball during this learning period, either, should I?

Cheers ... Abigail.

P.S. An UPDATED photo this time!!!

Ohhh!! How wonderful to see an updated picture of your girl Bella!! Thank you for sharing!

My girl LaVie was a self feeder. She ate Avoderm small bites and had it available all day and night long.

Self feeding doesn't work for all dogs - my parents boy Pancho and my gramma's girl Trouble will over eat if food is available at all times. It all depends on the dog.

As to feeding frequency as an adult, I personally feel twice a day is best. When LaVie reached her final years she had so few teeth that she couldn't eat kibble, so she had to have a soft meal. She was fed morning and evening for her last year, and that worked well for her.

.
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tabitha
Kayo, Kahla, and Dante'

Two or three meals of kibble a day would be great for this picky pup.

My older girl gets a bit picky at times with meals, but I tend not to sweat it. Food gets left out for 15 minutes and gets picked up if it's not touched. I've found it's the best way with these picky souls. No table scraps between meals either unless they work for them.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles