Raw diet for shikoku
I'm thinking of starting a raw diet for katsu, he's a very finicky eater and refuses to eat the same kibble twice no matter how hungry he is. He has even starved himself to a point where he's vomited. I do the typical slabbed kibble with wet food routine and that barely works. I'm wondering if a raw diet would do him better? If anyone has advice on a raw diet for my pup i'd love some advice.
Comments
Jesse
I do hope raw solves the issue for you but if it doesn't, then there's really a behavioral adjustment you and Katsu will have to work through. Even on the Shiba forum, if you search there are countless threads where their Nihonken go hungry for a day or two and then they'll eat again. Sometimes it's self-regulating, sometimes it's the dog pushing boundaries.
Jesse
Also, sometimes dogs will skip meals if they are being fed more than they need. Some dogs are great at self regulating and will skip a meal or two every once in a while, my shiba Tetsu will do this (even when on raw) and he has kept at a good weight with decent energy. You could try reducing the amount you are giving each meal and see how he does.
You could also buy multiple and switch up the toy from time to time to keep him interested in the toy as well. To make it extra exciting, put a small treat or two inside of the toy as well so he gets extra yummy things along with his meals and never let him play with those toys unless it's for a meal.
Good luck
Jesse
Jesse
Jesse
My advice to you. Let it go.
I've been there and I remember pulling my hair out over it. Literally at my wits end trying to get my puppy to eat, almost in tears with a food bowl in my hands begging him to take even a bite after refusing to eat for days at a time. It's frustrating.
Kiyoshi might eat once a day, he might not eat for 3-5 days, he might eat 4 meals in a day. He's always very lean and I suppose he'll always be like that. I can't make him eat but I assume he won't starve himself to death. I've tried raw, cooked meals, canned food, EVERY brand of kibble out there, and nothing works.
In all honesty, I sometimes just stock up on samples and feed him those...which can last us more than a week, he eats so little. I offer him food a couple times and if he's not hungry then he doesn't eat. Sometimes he will come to me or go to the food bin and I'll feed him when he shows he's hungry.
Vet says he's perfectly healthy. Nothing more I can do for him. I give him everything he wants but I quit playing the food game.
I've had similar issues with Suki. She's not only picky but has food allergies so it can make it tough. It's just a matter of figuring out what works best for him. Good luck
Jesse
I have noticed though that Kiyoshi is a social eater. If I start eating something and then put his food out for him there's a 75% chance he'll eat while I'm eating too. He'll watch me eat and beg for food but eventually go to his bowl once he figures out I'm not giving him anything. lol So we eat together most of the time.
She had a phase as a puppy where she would ignore her food and puke but it worked itself out. And her head is normally shaped! All will be ok. She will still occasionally chose not to eat but we'll usually just fast her for the day and everything gets back on track the next day. Nyx responds really well to a regular schedule so her eating became more consistent when we started being more consistent about feeding times.