feeding a fussy dog

Bossyboots

mandy_moo_1 wrote:

thanx for all your answers. She DOES have loads of energy, so i guess i'm just a worrywart!

I'm so used to my other dog cleaning the bowl every time she eats, i expect Ruby to be like that too.

I'll have a walk down to the vets in the morning and see what complete foods they recommend.........then i'll walk straight down to the pet shop and get it there, cos he's loads cheaper!!

I'll try that Winalot casserole one as well.....was gonna give Cesar a go as well....i'll let you know how we get on

I seriously advise you to stay away from things like Cesar and just give your dog a dry complete food.

Firstly because Yorkies do not have the strongest digestive system in the world and you are very likely to find Cesar going in one end and coming out of the other in a very liquid form. However, it is possible your dog would tolerate it.

The most important thing though is the teeth. Yorkies have notoriously bad dental health. It is one of the major health problems known to afflict this breed. You need to be brushing her teeth every day anyway but using a dried food will help. I would expect your vet to recommend a product called TD something or other as this helps with reduction of tooth plaque. However, that is quite expensive and my Yorkies couldn't manage the large pieces, even in the size for their breed. It is also only available (unless things have changed) from your vet. Having to crunch into the dried food every day will help to prevent plaque formation as the biscuits will act like an abrasive. This won't replace daily brushing, but it will certainly make life easier for you and more pleasant for her.

mandy_moo_1

how on earth do i brush her teeth? do you get a special toothbrush and paste from the vets?

Dumyat

yeah you get chicken or meat flavoured!! I just use a normal human toothbrush.

Becles

You can also buy chews designed to keep teeth clean such as Pedigree Denta-rasks.

Or Bob likes the bones Pets at Home sell. It's a proper animal bone, than has had all the meat removed and has been sterilised so it won't splinter or go smelly. Some are filled with a meaty paste for the dog to get out which makes them more interesting! He often chews at his bone, and it keeps his teeth in lovely condition.

mandy_moo_1

doesn't she need to rinse or anything?! do you just sit her on your knee and brush her teeth for a couple of mins every day?

I can just see Ruby trying to attack the toothbrush!!:rolleyes:

Bossyboots

mandy_moo_1 wrote:

doesn't she need to rinse or anything?! do you just sit her on your knee and brush her teeth for a couple of mins every day?

I can just see Ruby trying to attack the toothbrush!!:rolleyes:

Yes, you just sit her on your knee. She doesn't need to rinse. You need to start this while she is young so she gets used to it as part of her daily routine. The nurse at your local vet should be able to show you what to do and give advice. Our local vet offers a three monthly free dental check and advice service with the nurse.

Dumyat

our dog is not the greatest at letting us do it.
her teeth arent too bad though...she plays alot with rope toys which are supposed to help "floss"

MrsTinks

5 month old yorkie pup will have a tiny tiny tummy I would stick to a good brand of puppy food. As a guide then think the less ingredients the better and the higher the meat % the better. I've actually found a lot of own brands tend to have less addatives and colourants than big brand names. James Wellbeloved is a good choice but there are many good ones available Alternatively do you know what she was fed when she was being weaned from her mum? She might have been changed over too quick...

If you are worried about her not eating enough ask the vet to show you how to check her to make sure she's not too thin (how to check the meat covering on her ribs is just right and not too thick or thin will be your best indication)

And best of luck with her she looks very pretty

Raksha

Let your dog be the guide of how much she should be eating - like us, some can eat and eat and still be stick thin, other's can live on fresh air! If her activity levels are good, and she's producing regular, well formed poos, and she feels like she's wearing a t-shirt over her ribs, she's probably fine. Put a good complete dog food (I also use Burns, and have a dog on Autarky too) in her bowl and let her eat, after 10 mins remove the bowl until the next meal (And a 5 month old Yorkie should have 3 meals a day). A healthy dog will NOT starve itself - although it may go without food for several days....

Toxic_Lemon

My vet always praises the condition of my dog's teeth. He always says they're good because my dog has bones (marrow bones, usually), which the vet confirms are the BEST thing to keep a dog's teeth clean and healthy.

Nature's not silly!!