Picky Eater!

by Alexis
(Augusta, Maine)

Hello!

I recently rescued a 5 year old Female Great Pyr named Fancy. I am a vet tech at a shelter clinic, she came in to be spayed, I fell in love instantly, needless to say, she has a new forever home.

She is an excellent dog with an incredible personality. However, she is grossly underweight at 62 lbs. It is proving to be a challenge to find something she'll eat! I know Great Pyr's are notoriously picky eaters so any tips or tricks would be much appreciated! I've tried gravy, canned food, and milk with kibble (which has worked with picky eaters in the past). But nothing seems to work!!

Thank you very much for your time

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Feb 22, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Maybe bigger issue than picky
by: Ed A from NJ

My 12 year old female (Buttercup) has a very sensitive tummy. I adopted her when she was 5 and I thought she was your typical picky Pyre. As I started working on finding the right food I realized Butter was not so much picky as allergic. I noticed red staining on her front paws from licking and excessive belching after meals. The first thing I did was read every label before putting anything in her mouth. Since I had some pyre experience with the breed I know corn can't be anywhere near them. They All seam allergic to that. After many attempts to find a consistent dog wet food to mix I found it easier and even cost effective to do the following. First get her a good grain free high grade dry kibble. Instead of canned dog food I mix in a 13 ounce can of white meat chicken packed in water (you can find it in most grocery stores near the tuna fish) I buy it at sam's club for about $2.00 for a 13 oz. Can. That along with the proper amount of a high grade grain free kibble has ended the problem. The condistance of diet has stablized her.Red stains and belchimg are gone. As to treats please read every label to be sure what you give her don't undermined your hard work of balancing her diet. I think you will find her much less picky when her tummy is stable and her diet consistent. Good luck with her. Butter cup has been on her diet now for around 6 year and she is very happy and health. She shows no signs of slowing down and at 12 I think she is still in her prime. I wish you luck with her.
Feb 23, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Picky Eater
by: Sandra

Congrats on your new PYr Fancy (lovely name).

You did not indicate why Fancy was rescued, but I also rescued a Pyr who was grossly underweight. He had been starved. I could not get him to eat enough at the beginning, He would eat some food and leave the rest although I knew he was still hungry. he was saving it in case he did not get more. Also, his stomach was small from not getting enough food. I did put small amounts of "people" food on top of his kibble to entice him to eat.

As he had food down all the time, eventually he seemed to realize he could eat more each meal, but it took about 6 months for him to start eating properly. During this time he slowly started to gain weight. After 2 years, he still could use a few more pounds but he eats twice a day although he still looks for his "people" food on top.

Just keep at it and once Violet realizes she is safe and secure and food is available, she will come around

Good Luck
Feb 23, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Picky Eater
by: Anonymous

I found my 13 month old, 69lb girl will eat when I put coconut oil (1 tbls) on her kibble in the morning. I can't seen to get her on a schedule as she eats when she wants. So kibble 1 cup w/cocnut oil, 1 cup in a toy puzzle. She gets a can of Blu at night, plus snacks. She also LOVES swiss cheese! I'm starting to see her get some fullness. Good luck!
Mar 17, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Underweight
by: Donna

I feed my raw. I highly recommend it. My dogs put on weight and are healthier than ever. It was tough to get them to eat kibble.

Kibble is sprayed with fats. Once the bag is open, it begins to go rancid which is why dogs lose interest in it. It is highly processed. It's just like fast food. See the links above for more information.
Sep 16, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Picky eater
by: Jackie Wierengo

For my picky Pyr I started giving him raw goat milk twice a day. He gets a half cup with breakfast and a half cup at bedtime. He still has to be hand fed, I've found NO kibble he likes enough to eat on his own. I add mozzarella cheese shreds or sprinkle Parmesan with rotisserie chicken but switch up constantly because he's bored easily with food. The goat milk adds fat and calories and is good for him. He's finally pushing 100 lbs at 2 1/2 yrs.
Apr 22, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		what should i feed my pyr
by: Anonymous

My baby is 8 months old and soo picky. She enjoys a type of dry kibble for a week or so and never wants to eat it again.. actually never does. What kind of dog food do you guys feed your Pyrenees? What kind of real veggies and meats are great for them to stay the happiest healthiest they can be? Thanks for any responses
Apr 22, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Diet
by: Donna

Kibble is highly processed. The reason your dog won't eat it after awhile is because the oil with which it is sprayed starts to become rancid. It's sprayed in oil in order to entice dogs to eat this hard processed food.

Kibble is not a good option.

Here is information on how to start on raw:

Raw Feeding Primer

To have a consult with a certified pet nutritionist contact Isabelle via email. She'll put you on the right track.

This is a wonderful resource called Life with Dogs and Cats–Health, Training and Research.

Life with Cats and Dogs

I hope this helps.
Apr 18, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Re-eating regurgitated food
by: Jim

Not just a picky eater, after he is done eating appropriately 2 minutes later he Regurgitates it and then begins to eat it again been doing this since he was a puppy he now 4. Help Confused!
Apr 18, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Eating
by: Donna

Jim, if you are feeding kibble this may be why. There is more going on with your dog, I think.

Check out the links below your post. They will help you get on the right track with your pup.

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