Has anyone ever had this issue...

Pedro gets premium food and has always finished all of it when given a meal. Recently, he's been sticking his nose up to it and barely eating. During the holidays he was traveling a lot to other people's houses (all have dogs) and eating the other dogs food which is Purina. We recently switched his food to a different flavor, same brand (Merrick) thinking maybe he was bored of it but didn't help. Also we bought a small bag of blue buffalo he enjoyed for a day but then lost interest.

He really only wants the other, cheaper, lower quality food! Anyone else experience this?? I wonder if I should just buy the lower quality stuff if he will eat it?


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Several things.....He could just be becoming picky.....I would offer it, and take it up after 15 minutes and not offer it again until his next meal--it won't take him long to learn to eat it.

With my dogs (well, 2 of my 3--the golden and lab), if they refuse food, I get concerned something may be off with the food because they are chowhounds. But my little dog is quite particular, for example, she will NOT eat a salmon based kibble--she would rather starve, literally. So I don't force her to eat something she obviously just despises.

I am one though that likes my dog to like their food. A lot have good results with the Purina Pro Plan and it's a good food--so if you want to find something he'll happily eat (and do well on that you can feel good about) it may be an nice option. Look at the Chicken ALS stages--or one of the other formulas, but I personally avoid the Shreds because of the soy (I think Savor is what they are now calling the line).

Good luck!

If it was Purina Pro Plan that he was eating at the other dogs' houses, I would let him eat it. It is a good quality food. If it was Purina Dog Chow, not so good. I agree with Wagner's Mom put the food down, give him the opportunity to eat then pick it up. He will learn quickly to eat when food is available. You could think of it this way, Pedro has just got his first taste of "chicken mcnuggets" and now that is all he wants to eat.

As per a good friend, Purina is like Cocaine.

Have you tried mixing in a little canned food with the kibble?

Thanks for the advice! Maybe when this bag is up I'll get Pro Plan. I think he may just be getting picky as he gets closer to 1 year old! I used to not be able to give him his food fast enough but he has tasted yummy things like salmon and chicken.

Funny because we did compare the Purina to McDonalds and his current food to something very healthy! I do think it was dog chow also..eeek.


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