My pom wont eat

Question
Hi Carrie,

Help!  I've read all the q & a's but I haven't come across a problem quite like mine.  I have a 4 mo Pom (Toni) that I purchased from a breeder.  She was one of the tiniest in her litter and the breeder told me that I could feed her cottage cheese once a day and it would help her by giving her the extra nutrients she needs during the puppy stage.  She absolutely loves the stuff and will not eat her regular dog food!  Also, my husband and I have not helped matters because we have fed her people food.  I have been giving her cooked chicken and hamburger meat because I'm worried because she is not eating.  Now she really won't touch her food.  How can I get her back on regular dog food and what kind do you recommend?  I have tried Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet and a type of natural dog food.  She turns her nose up to everything. She seems healthy enough but I worry she's not getting the nutrients she needs.  Thanks for your help.

Lavelle  

Answer
Hi Lavelle,

I have been researching canine nutrition over the past year or so because I want to feed my pom the best.  Recently, I've advised others to avoid feeding commerical brands in grocery stores. (Alpo, Kibbles and Bits, Purina Beneful, Pedigree, etc.) They are junk.  Science Diet, Pro Plan, Eukanuba and Iams are better.  If you really want to feed a higher-quality diet, try one of these:   Solid Gold, Natural Balance, Spot's Stew, Chicken
Soup for the Soul, PetGuard, Wellness, Canidae, Wysong or Neura Meats.  But now, I would even go a step further and recommend a human grade dog food. (Wellness and Canidae are human grade kibble/canned and there are others as well.)

I have also recently discovered dehydrated human grade dog food, which I feel would be even better yet.  I just purchased a dehydrated food from Olee.com called NRG Canine Blend and received it today, so I haven't had a chance to feed it to my pom yet.  I am sure he will love it.  It is even costs less than the kibble I was buying! The Honest Kitchen also makes:  Natural Dehydrated Dog Food.  I also feed my dog fresh food:  chicken, beef, fish, cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, veggies, and fruit.  I never feed him junk food like hot dogs, etc.  I guess the reason I bought the dehyrated is because I want to make sure he is getting a well rounded diet.  

It's not "people food".  It's fresh food.  The same food the commerical dog food companies claim that there kibble is made from.  What do you think is better--processed kibble made from fresh foods or fresh foods?  Me too!  I'll take fresh foods anyday over processed.  Also, some dog foods are made with meat by-products, nutritionless fillers, and ingredients not fit for humans.  Yuck!! The dog food industry has consumers fooled into beliving that kibble is best and that you have no idea how to feed a dog.  

I'd say your pom is eating healthier than most dogs!  You may want to try a dehydrated food.  Your pom would probably love it.

Hope you enjoy your new puppy!  Feel free to write again if you have any other questions.

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Thank you!
Carrie