Hi everyone

I was wondering if anyone could help - I have a year old female GSD who I am having problems feeding.  I brought her from a very dubious character (brought her to save her really !) - I asked him what she was being fed on and he told me "a bit of this and a bit of that". From 12 weeks old I have tried to get her to eat trying many different foods, the only thing she seems to eat now are tins of Butchers Tripe but I am not to happy with this as I do not feel it is a really good quality food.  Has anybody got any ideas - she seems in good health but very small.

Thanks
Sasha

Hi Sasha,

Have you tried her on Nature Diet?  It is a complete moist food and comes packed in plastic trays rather than in tins.  It is usually highly appealing to most dogs - I don't use it all the time but have some on standby for anyone that goes a bit faddy on me because they seem to love it.  It has a variety of flavours and can be warmed for a few seconds in the microwave to give the added boost to picky dogs who often don't like food not at room temp or above anyway.   You can buy it from Pets at Home and I think it's also available on line.  There are lots of dry completes on the market but she may not fancy that having been used to tinned meat (which is normally 70-80% water).  Nature Diet is one of the few complete moist food on the market  - a complete food is the best to give her as all the essential nutrients are worked out for you.

Your girl is perhaps on the smaller side because she didn't get all the nutrients needed from the beginning (mum may not have been on an appropriate diet preceding and during her pregnancy nor when feeding the litter :(  )  She sounds like she was very lucky to find you :)  Regards, Teri 

Hi Teri

Thanks for that I will give it a try - its about the only food I havn`t tried !!!  I will let you know how I get on.

We are getting a 8 week old English Springer Spaniel in a few weeks so that will be a bit of company for Sasha, I am hoping that as the new dog will be coming from a reputable breeder and will already have a good diet Sasha may eat with the new dog and no matter what as least she will have a new pal !!!

She is a very happy dog now and I really dont know what I would do without her.

Thanks again
Jackie - Sasha`s mum

Hi Jackie (and Sasha ;) )

Fingers crossed she'll love it!  A new thread under the Feeding Board called *Nature Diet* opened later today after our "virtual discussion" and I think you'll find if you have a look that it get's a lot of positive response :)

Lovely to hear about your soon to be new family member - quite often faddy eaters pick up remarkably well with some healthy competition :P

Good luck with Sasha, let us know how things go and of course you'll have to share your news about your ESS puppy's arrival too - quite a few devotees of them on here already I think.

Regards, Teri :P

Hi Teri

I will have a look at the feedback in relation to nature diet, thanks for your help sometimes you just need to voice your worries/concerns you are never always sure you are doing the right things !

What dogs do you have ?

I will definately keep you all updated in relation to the arrival of the new ESS - I must be mad - all that work !!!!!

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

I have Belgian Shepherds - the Tervueren variety - hence *inside knowledge* about fussy eaters :D :D

Good luck, Teri :)

Hi Teri

Thank you so much for your advice in relation to my fussy GSD - I went out and brought loads of Nature Diet and she loves it (Only the Chicken and Tripe one though !).  She is eating regulary and for the first time she is clearing her dish at first sitting - she has put on weight and seems a lot more confident.  My sister came to see me at the weekend and she asked if we had changed the dog.

Thanks again for your help Teri

Jackie and Sasha

Hi Jackie,

*Wonderful* news about Sasha :) :) :)  Long may she continue to improve.  Thanks for the update.

very best wishes, Teri

ps.
Don't forget to let us know about your new addition when he/she arrives ;)

Hi SASHA

I was breeding gsd for about 8 years.

One tip I can give you that if she does get upset stomach feed her ****Chicken and Rice**** for a few days and it should settle her down.We used proper chicken normaly the old mans packing up chicken left from sunday dinner and the proper boiled rice.
My old man use to walk in and say chicken and rice tonight then and I would say no thats for the dog.
Your beans on toast will be coming later.

Only suggesting this if you are going to try some different foods as it could upset her.

Alexis