puppy not eating

Question
I emailed Cindi Bass last week and had a question for her about my 7 month old cocker spaniel who does not like to eat and I tried to reply ( follow up ) to her answer but being shes on vacation , hope you don't mind if I ask you. She told me to feed her Natural Balance, Flint River, Wellness or Eagle Pack.  Well I went to my local Pet Smart and they didn't sell any of those. I spoke to a older gentleman there and he said to try BLUE ( all organic & holistic )he said it was the same ingredients  as natural balance. All natural and no fillers. I must say it was quite expensive but I bought it and they said if she won't eat it to return it. Maybe because I live in Las Vegas, they don't sell the foods she mentioned.  I don't know.  Anyway I put a little bit in with her Eukunuba as to make the transion at least a seven day period. So far she seems to like it, I was just wondering if you heard of that food and if it is equal to the brands she mentioned.?

Answer
Cindi Bass and I give very different answers.  I just don't get into the differences in brands such as Natural Balance and Blue.  I see many strong opinions about both, but no comparison tests.  You must remember much of what you hear about different chows comes from those selling something.  This includes many internet experts and websites.

I have looked at many of Cindi Bass's answers.  She fails to address the most common cause of not eating, over feeding.  If the dog never did eat very well, and has seen the vet since the problem existed, you may be over feeding it. A vet check still won't hurt. Many dogs will snarf 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.

 There was an extensive discussion of weight in a recent newsletter from a service dog school.

''Obesity is the number one nutritional disease affecting dogs. It's estimated that 25-45% of dogs in the US are obese. Studies have shown that joint and locomotive problems increase by 57%, circulatory problems by 74%, respiratory problems by 52%, skin problems by 40% and cancer by 50% in animals that are overweight.

Large breed dogs that are overweight also are more prone to developing hip dysplasia. Obesity is especially dangerous for young puppies, as their underdeveloped frame cannot support the extra poundage that it must carry.''

So please, before tempting your non eater with rich food, see the vet and evaluate it as in the link above.  Unless your vet finds a physical problem, or cautions you not to let your puppy lose weight, I would continue the Eukanuba, just cutting back a little.  At 7 months, your puppy's growth is almost complete and it may be settling down a little and require less food.   

My answers are based on my training and experience in service dog programs.  They aren't selling anything, but giving dogs away.  Over the years, the trained, professional staffs have accumulated far more data on dog care and training than is available elsewhere.  I am familiar with what a number of schools are feeding their dogs.  They have tried many different diets to see what works with the thousands of dogs they breed, raise, and train.  When it is going to cost the price of a fine, new car to replace a dog no longer able to work, you can't cut corners on chow.  All the larger schools are feeding one of the common brands.  In fact, the one school I raised a puppy for was feeding Eukanuba.  I that agree many of the ingredients that go into the common brands are less appetizing than what goes into the premium brands.  Also, if you believe in eating organic and avoiding additives in your own diet, then it makes sense to select such diets for your dog.  The common brands are well proven in large programs.  None of those advocating the premium chows and alternative diets have been able to direct me to a study showing dogs do any better on them than the common brands.  They go on and on about the ingredients, but have no studies showing the bad ingredients lead to health problems.