Maltese dog won't eat any food

[amargarcevic]

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Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here could offer some advice.

I have a maltese dog, 8 months old, and we are struggling with his food. Any food we pick for him, it is not enough and he keeps refusing to eat.

We tried N&D, Brit, Bosch Dry Food, Oasy, Platinum, Dr. Clauder's, but he really hates eating any of those.

We tried hand feeding, changing bowl, cleaning his place where he eats few times a day, putting some water in his dry food, mixing it with wet food, but he really doesn't want to it any. But when he sees our food, he would eat anything - and that's why I think that he doesn't have any health issues that would cause this refusing to eat.

If anyone could help, give me some advice which food to pick, what to do to make him eat his meal, it will be much appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[JudyN]

If this has just started recently, I wouldn't rule out a health issue - if all these foods are dry foods, it could be a dental problem? If all the foods you've tried are dry foods, that could be why he prefers yours - or he just sees your food as much more desirable!

So I'd definitely recommend a vet visit, even if just to rule out any problems.

You could try to make his food softer and more tempting by adding a little warm water/stock/oil from a can of tuna or similar. Alternatively, many dogs do great on a raw diet - if you're interested in trying that we can give you all the info you need.

 

[amargarcevic]

He is here with us for 6 months. From the first day, we have issues with him eating his food, so that's why I mentioned that I don't think it's a health issue.

We visited a vet couple of times, few months ago, and they said he is fine. No issues.

He is eating "bosch HPC Soft / Plus Mini Quail & potato" - this one now. It is soft dry food, and it's very soft, I would eat it . We tried giving just dry food, no success, we tried mixing dry and wet in bowl, but no success. We even tried few months ago giving him with little warm water, but no. We sometimes give him with salmon oil, but no success.

Do you have any idea what dry food is good for maltese dogs? Also, I am interested in trying raw diet, but I think he may gain some weight.

Thanks

 

[JudyN]

Do you need to use dry food? It sounds as if he's simply not keen on dry food, and to be fair, if I presented you with a bowl of dry cereal you wouldn't be mad keen either. So you could continue what you're giving him now if he likes it.

As far as good dry foods for Malteses, I think as long as the size if the pieces is OK, breed isn't that relevant. You could have a
a look at www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk. It's an independent site, where you can put in your dog's breed and weight, and your budget, and will suggest foods, giving them a rating.

There's no reason why a raw diet would make him gain weight, unless of course you feed him too much. In fact, as it contains a lot more water, it looks a lot more than kibble, and can make the dog feel more satisfied. We have a guide on Raw feeding here, but do ask if you have any more questions.

@excuseme, which is the dry food that you give occasionally?

 

[excuseme]

Sorry I'm late.
The dry food that our lot love when I forget to take food from the freezer is "Millies Wolfheart". I don't have time to introduce it carefully and the poo's look much the same as their Raw poo's.
"Millies" have loads of different options with different meat types and protein levels.
I always suggest to start with the lowest protein level 40/60 "Forerunner" or "Alert".
No bulky or runny poos. and almost smell free too.

 

[crazycockerowner]

Have you tried mixing some dry with say mash and veg, pasta, pip enjoyed chicken pasta and veg last night with some of her dry food added, I'm lucky that she will eat anything and I mean anything , when we first got her she did refuse then we added salmon oil, after we soaked it in some water so it looked like dry mashed weetabix then gradually added more dry then she just took everything offered and eats every last bit

 

[excuseme]

Our lot love their raw food, fed uncooked it is always juicy and full of natural goodness.
We have fed raw products for well over 40 years, we have never had of our dogs refuse their daily dinners.
We do not use grain based kibbles or pasta meals.
Their teeth sparkle, they do not smell doggy, poo's are almost odour free and are firm to pick up, we have never had any itchy or allergy problems.
Raw is clean and easy to purchase these days.
It suits a lot of us to use the product but not everyone can manage it.