4 month old cocker picky eater?

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have a 4 month old female cocker spaniel and she used to be a very varocious eater up until a few weeks ago. She had an allergic rxn to her rabies shot and since then she has been picky. I have switched her food for the second time to Wellness but have had troubles because she wouldn't eat it mixed with the old food. I know this is bad and she should be weaned. She loves wet food but I weaned her off that in hopes she would go back to eating her dry food (had put her on it when she was having diarrhea and was sick, I.D. food from the vet). Now she needs coaxing to eat anything. I have to sit with her in the kitchen or even spoon feed her so she will eat some. She only eats about 1/2 to maybe 3/4 of her food most of the time and sometimes she does eat it all. I am giving her 2 cups per day, or 2/3 a cup 3 times a day. Is this normal for puppies to be picky? I even put water in the dry food but she still sometimes won't even go near the bowl unless I coax her. Help!

ANSWER: I do hope you'll never vac her for Rabies again.  Next time it could be far worse.

I'd get on a premium canned food and mix that with her kibble.
She's telling you clearly she doesn't like kibble.  I have one like that..just wouldn't eat it.  And she's in a massive growth spurt and needs top notch nutrition.

Canned food is actually superior in that it has less preservatives, higher protein, better fats and more calories.

Get some AvoDerm (PetSmart) - I like Innova EVO - Fromm - Merrick - Newman's Organics - Evanger's and Wellness is fine.

For loose stool, add 1 tbsp. of canned pumpkin - NOT pie filling - 100% pumpkin to each meal.  With canned food you can also add a little Metamucil (no sugar added formula).  Mix 1/2 tsp. in a bit of water and mix into her daily supply - not one meal.  That usually does wonders.

You can also simmer some plain chicken (no bones-no skin) - chop it and run it through your food processor and top off her food with that.

And any time she gets diarrhea (and they all do from time to time) - fast her for 12 hours then make her some scrambled egg & overcooked plain white rice and give multiple small meals.
3 eggs (use no oil) scrambled and 1 cup rice plus some pumpkin or Metamucil usually does the trick.

But please don't be wary of using canned food.  Personally I don't at all like a total kibble diet.  Dogs are not designed to eat cereal.

Best of luck and do write with any other questions.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Actually I do plan to have her revacinated for rabies again...it runs rampant in my area and she wont need it again until next year. My vet had said she had a rxn because it was a new shot and because she is still little. Next time she will give it solo and with IM benadryl.

As far as Wellness goes, you do recommend it? Is their wet food ok too? I was under the impression that wet food was horrible for dogs teeth and my cocker drinks plenty of water and wet food is mostly made up of water? At least that is what I have been reading.

We don't have a Petsmart where I live, only Petco and I don't really want to buy online, so that is why I switched to Wellness since Petco carries it now.

If I do mix in wet with the kibble...how much? Does it get expensive to do this?

Answer
Wellness is fine but, as with any brand, use all their formulas.
One protein "forever" isn't good.

Canned food is not bad for teeth.  However she's old enough now to begin brushing her teeth.  Kongs - hard chews all work the teeth. Don't use rawhide or greenies.

I believe Petco carries Solid Gold - Newman's Organics.  The others I mentioned will only be carried by smaller pet stores.  If you go to Naturapet.com you can locate a store that sells Innova - they'll also sell other premium brands.

Start with just a spoonful on her kibble and gradually increase.
You have a problem right now and need to get her eating well.  

Does your vet give annual vaccines?  If so, she/he is out of the loop and ALL the major vet colleges have changed their protocols to a 3 year vaccine.