male german sheperd has poor appetite

Question
QUESTION: My ten year old male,not neutered German Sheperd has a poor apetite. He will not eat any kind of dry food. He eats canned dog food mixed with Gains Burger patties some what. The next day I tried fixing beef or deer hamburger he eats this a little better. The next day it may take him two days to finish his food. We have had him checked at vet nothing wrong in blood work. His coat of hair looks heathy. But my concern he will become to thin. And is a real challenge to get him to eat.

ANSWER: Usually that is more typical of younger shepherd.  What did the vet say?  Some dogs are better off being on the thin side of ideal than eating an unbalanced diet.  

Many dogs will wolf down more than is good for them and look for more. Others refuse to eat more than than they need. Evaluate the dog as illustrated in this link, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx You may want the vet to confirm your judgment. Adjust the dogs food and exercise as needed to reach its ideal body condition. Some German Shepherds and other breeds may refuse to eat enough to completely hid their ribs. As long as you are feeding a concentrated, meat based chow, the best thing is to accept it.

The worst thing you can do is to bribe a dog with rich foods into eating more than it needs. Instead, Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have. Many dogs are quite good at holding out for tastier chow. Like kids, sometimes it calls for tough love.


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

QUESTION: I would like to know what brand of dry food do you recommend? This is for a ten year old male German Shepherd dog that is picky about his food.

Answer
I think any of the common brands, Iams, Pro Plan, Pedigree, etc. would be as good as anything.  I feed Pro Plan and know it is good.  

I have no experience with them and find their hype unconvincing, but some of the more expensive brands are more concentrated such as Origen and Blue Buffalo and might help.