Suggestions, please.

[Teresa]

I have recently changed Schatzi and Molly's food to the Natural Balance Reduced Calorie, trying to get them on something that has less grain (and hopefully help Molly's allergies).  I started out with the regular calorie formula, but they liked it a little too well and I knew, especially Molly, would get in big trouble if I didn't go with the weight control. Also, with Schatzi spayed now, I really need to watch her weight. Schatzi isn't crazy over the new flavor. She'll eat it, but isn't crazy over it. Molly, of course, loves it. My main problem is this. Schatzi is not one to ever eat all of her food at once. Even lately when I've tried putting it out twice a day, she still wants to eat it over a period of time. She might be different if it were soft food and not hard, but I like using hard, since she needs all the help she can get with her teeth. In the meantime we have Molly who wants to eat ALL the food. If it is there, she wants to eat it. Sooo, if Schatzi doesn't eat hers all at once, it is gone. I have been trying to think of somewhere to put Schatzi's food that is narrow that Molly can't get into! Haven't found anywhere yet. Should I switch Schatzi to soft food at least once a day to make sure she is getting something good for her? That has been my only idea so far.
Also, has anyone on here tried Avoderm? It looks good on the Dog Food Analysis site, with only a small amount of concern for the avocado, but I was wondering if anyone has tried it.

[mrsmartinez]

My mother feeds her schnauzers (not doxies) Avoderm.  One of her dogs was allergic to EVERYTHING and this really provided relief.  This summer my Frida started showing signs of allergies to her food and we had to switch.  We switched to Blue Buffalo holistic for small dogs and she LOVES it.  All of her scratching has stopped and her coat is super shiny.  My mom was recommending Avoderm as she has had great success with it.  I hope that helps some.

[Doxherding Karen]

  In order to keep everyone from turning Guinness' dinner into a buffet, I feed him up on my bed, with his bowl in one of the bog donuts they sleep in. 

If you feed Molly on top of a table or a box (or think of something) where Schatzi-Snout can't get on, that should work. 

One of those accordian style gates that Molly could fit through, but Schatzi can't? 

AND. . . give her a time limit.  Guinness would spend all day i I let him.  So after five minutes he gets put outside with the rest of the Herd.  He's learned to speed up his meal.

Karen :thumb:

[papbouv]

General rule for feeding is leave it down for 10 minutes you really do not want to teach them to eat fast even Dachshund's can bloat plus when they eat slower they do not get as hungry so fast. I have been putting a small ball in Patches food bowl to slow her down  but she has always been a fast eater.When I first got Buddy he inhaled his food so hand fed him awhile to slow him down I sometimes now do the 10 minute timer on him he does not eat well at times. Just my thoughts on feeding dogs.
Papbouv

[Kari]

Guinness would spend all day i I let him.  So after five minutes he gets put outside with the rest of the Herd.  He's learned to speed up his meal.

Are you sure he is a dachshund? Penny INHALES her food in 2 seconds!!

[Kathleen]

I have a picky eater too.  Murphy and Reilly practically inhale their food and Winston picks at it.  He's also very high energy so it's hard to keep weight on him.

Because of that, I've taken to adding canned food to his bowl.  They get high quality kibble (I'm currently rotating between Canidae, Solid Gold and Blue Buffalo), plus a little oil for their coat and a brewers yeast tablet, then I use the 5.5oz can of Mighty Dog roasted chicken, pork or beef.  I add 2 teaspoons each to Murphy and Reilly's bowls, otherwise they'll just try for Winston's, and Winston gets the rest of the can.  He loves it and eats his meal right down.  I know the Mighty Dog is terrible stuff, but it's for flavor, not nutrition and he doesn't eat "good" canned food the same way, so it was the way I went.  It's worked for months now and Winston is just finally starting to not feel bony when I pick him up, which makes me very happy.

I keep saying I have the three bears for dachshunds.  One is skinny, one is chunky and one is just right    I might have to amend that to two are just right soon!

[Teresa]

Today, since I was off, I put some of the food in a small bowl and brought it in our room. I put it on the bed and sat there using the computer and Schatzi ate it. At least it shows she has decided the new food is okay. Of course, I can't be here in the middle of the day everyday to do this. I think Schatzi is not one to eat early in the morning. She is a lazy dog and isn't up and about when I leave for work. She'll go potty, maybe drink some water or see what I'm having for breakfast and that is all. She isn't really interested in a lot of food until later in the day. I have given her some canned food in the last two days and that has worked also. Eventually we'll come up with some sort of system to keep Molly from getting to big and Schatzi from starving!

[Kathleen]

Yeah, I stopped morning feedings too.  They get a cookie in the morning, usually just a small milkbone,  to take the edge off if they're hungry.  They get fed when I get home from work.

[Dianne]

Ladybug was so timid that Cocoa would take her dinner so we fed Lady on the family room sofa. 

I've been trying to get our 3 doxies moved over to high grade dry dog food instead of canned.  Only 1 problem, Patches & Dottie will eat anything.  Jude, the starving rescue, turns up her nose.  I have tried every premium dry dog food I can find.  Right now she's eating Wellness dry small dog with a tablespoon of cheap gravy dogfood mixed in. 

Oh, well...at least they aren't squabbling over it anymore:)  And, Jude is at her top weight of 11 lb  :thumb: