My dog won’t eat dog food

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Rosie11

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Has anyone on here ever had a dog that doesn’t like dog food? I recently got an 11 month old chihuahua that my brother in law got me as a Valentine’s Day gift her previous owners only fed her cupcakes and sandwich ham and that is literally all she will eat she outright refuses to touch dry dog food but she licked and nibbled some wet food I’ve had her since Valentine’s Day and she hasn’t had a proper meal since I don’t want to feed her cakes and ham although yesterday I gave in and gave her just one slice of ham she’s drinking water anyone know how I can get her to eat regular dog food
 
Don’t give her anymore ham. She’ll eat the wet dog food when she’s hungry enough. Then, start to mix it with dry. Then transition to dry if you like.

Maybe, maybe, try adding a little ham juice to the wet dog food so she knows that she is supposed to eat it. Have you talked to veterinarian about it?
 
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No, no, no to ham and ham juice. Too much salt which will cause excessive thirst. A dog will eat when it is hungry. Start out with wet food, add dry. Dogs should not be eating people food.
 
Our picky adoptee took to Royal Canine.

They have a puppy food, which is best for the first year.

The Breed Specific food is great. Another pro for RC food, it is not one that has had several dangerous recalls.

https://www.chewy.com/s?query=Chihu...rKRSaVZxhNeGheMcGS-Qzuua5R-pS9JxoCTNYQAvD_BwE

Ham is too much salt, putting that tiny heart in danger and the sweets put your dog in danger of pancreatitis or other diabetic illnesses.
 
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I’ve tried royal Canin and wainwrights she refused both the vet told me to hold off on the cakes and ham as long as possible
 
Plain boiled chicken could be added to the dog food until she starts to eat regular dog food.
 
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I put it on the bed for her convenience and she still wouldn’t eat it my other dogs ended up eating it
 
One of our dogs is a bit like that. She came to us when her previous owner, an elderly widow, moved into a retirement home and wasn’t allowed to take Pepita with her. At first Pepita would only eat at the table, with the family, at mealtimes, standing up on a chair with her forepaws on the table, which was evidently what she had been trained to do. We already had two other dogs who ate their meals on the floor, dog fashion, but Pepita seems to identify as a human rather than as a dog. However, she has a very healthy appetite. She eats whatever we put on her plate, either people food or dog food.
 
This is what our dog gets as treats. We toss boneless skinless chicken in the pressure cooker with a little bit of water.
 
Oh, no! Once you go “cupcakes and ham” you never go back! Try canned cat food to break the spell. Most dogs can’t resist canned cat food. There must be some magic in it. My fussy dog will reject people food to get at a can of cat food. You can also try some low sodium canned tuna or salmon and mix it with a little dry dog food. Dogs love, love, love fish.
 
I’ll buy some cat food tomorrow I did try some dry cat food (go cat) but she wouldn’t eat it she won’t even eat dog treats
 
Sardines work well also. They are irresistible to every dog and cat I know. You could also try sprinkling Parmesan cheese on her food. If your dog is being extremely stubborn, you will just have to deny all food for a while. When she gets hungry enough, she will eat.
 
Rosie11 said:
Has anyone on here ever had a dog that doesn’t like dog food? I recently got an 11 month old chihuahua that my brother in law got me as a Valentine’s Day gift her previous owners only fed her cupcakes and sandwich ham and that is literally all she will eat she outright refuses to touch dry dog food but she licked and nibbled some wet food I’ve had her since Valentine’s Day and she hasn’t had a proper meal since I don’t want to feed her cakes and ham although yesterday I gave in and gave her just one slice of ham she’s drinking water anyone know how I can get her to eat regular dog food
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Hi Rosie,

I’m so very sorry that you have to deal with this stressful situation.

It can be so very worrying when they won’t eat what they’re supposed to eat.

I haven’t had to deal with this situation with dogs, but with cats.

We adopted two kitties years ago, that came from the same home, and we found out right away that they were used to eating off of the plates that had human food left on them, or that had scraps on them–something like that.

They would eat any type of human food that wasn’t take off of the table right away after meal times–before we could get to wrapping up the leftovers or clearing the plates away to wash.

We found that out the hard way.

They would also “table surf,” and “counter surf,” which is something our other kitties in the past were not allowed to do.

Since we adopted them when older and not as kittens, these were difficult habits to deal with, with the two of them.

They still ate canned and dry cat food, but they would try and see if they could get into the garbage for any leftovers, too.

Anyway, I would continue to work carefully with your Vet’s to see what you can do about transitioning her from the ham and cake, to dog food.

It may take some time and some perseverance. 🙂

Good luck and God bless you and your furry family! ❤️
 
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Dogs can get very sick from cat food - to the point of death. Do not feed your dog cat food.
 
Take her to the vet to rule out medical reasons for non eating, and while at the vet, talk about a healthy diet for her. Raw diets are not balanced, cat food is not good for dogs, and she really needs to get on a complete and balanced food for a chihuahua puppy. Ham is no good as it is packed with nitrates , and cake is just a treat and very sugary.

Be wary of sardines, they can be salty and cause the runs , and if she is not eating this will lead to dehydration very fast.

Until you take her to the vet, give her boiled chicken without the skin and without any bone, and rice. Offer it, feed it to her alone in a room separate from your other dogs. If it is not eaten in an hour, remove it. Ensure she has plenty of fresh water though. There is also a great Facebook group called Pet vet corner that might help you, only vets are allowed to respond to the questions.
 
Dlee said:
Dogs can get very sick from cat food - to the point of death. Do not feed your dog cat food.
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I’m not suggesting a steady diet of cat food, just a little as a lure away from cupcakes and ham. If cat food was deadly, my dog would have crossed the “rainbow bridge” long ago!
LateranBasilica said:
Be wary of sardines, they can be salty and cause the runs
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Anything that causes distress should be discontinued for sure. My dog enjoys an occasional sardine mashed into his food, as well as table scraps. None of this has hurt him at all. On the other hand, almost everyday I read of another recall of pet food that is killing dogs and cat because of high vitamin D, melamine, or pentobarbitol (!), which shouldn’t be anywhere near pet food.

The only way you get pentobarbitol in dog food is if the manufacturer uses animals that have been euthanized. It is illegal to use euthanized animals for pet food. Farm animals meant for consumption are not euthanized. Dogs and cats are euthanized. If pet food has pentobarbitol in it, it’s because it contains the euthanized remains of dead dogs and cats that have been illegally rendered down for the pet food industry.

No matter what you feed them, it’s damned if you do or damned if you don’t.
 
Most recalls are issues with bacteria contamination. There are some good commercial brands out there. Research is the key.
This dog may have an underlying medical reason for lack of appetite,
The photo of the food in the bowl is showing a food with a high vegetable content. Many dogs reject vegetables. If she has medical issues or teeth issues, she may be unable to eat dry food, or it might simply be unappetising and/or unfamiliar to her.
Being a new dog, she might be quite intimidated by the other 4 or 5 dogs and lost her appetite. She might simply be fretting for her old home and owner.
 
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