My JRT is such a fussy eater - we're at our wits' end!

Once again, thank you again for all your tips.

Gemma had a lovely meal yesterday of some of our roast beef, vegetables and gravy.  She didn't eat it all but at least she ate!

Result:  Copious amounts of poo!  Yuk!

Today she has eaten some boiled chicken and rice (hooray!).

Despite eating very little, she is still full of energy.  On her walk yesterday afternoon we couldn't get over how fast she was running and she seemed to be having the time of her life running rings around all the other dogs we met.  Did I mention she's only 4.5 kg in weight?

The trouble with leaving her food down for her to graze is that our cat, Ruby Tuesday, will wolf the lot if it's something she likes the look of.

Oh well!  Keep on trying I suppose.

madmadge

Today she has eaten some boiled chicken and rice (hooray!).

Just wondering, why does she not eat kibble or do you homecook? Inadvertently you may be causing her pickiness by catering to her.

 Sounds like you are feeding her too much.  How much does she weigh?  What breed?

 4.5 kg = 9.9 lbs.. according to wikianswers

 I do not believe there is such a thing as a fussy or picky eater (at least not dogs).  I have come to this conclusion after hearing this hundreds and hundreds of times and every time I have been able to verify it, the dog was being overfed.  And the smaller the dog, the more likely it was being overfed.  How much does your dog weigh?  How old? How much are you feeding? How often?  Many times the suggestion on the bag is way too much for a dog.  My dog weighs 16 pounds.  The bag says he needs about a cup a day.  I fed him a 1/2 cup twice a day for a long time and he was a "picky" eater.  I cut back to 1/3 cup twice a day and e got better but still didn't eat sometimes.  I cut back to 1/4 cup twice a day and he eats eagerly now and has maintained his weight and we both are much happier.  I am thoroughly convinced that at least 50% of dog owners overfeed their dogs.  Start out with the recommended amount.  If he eats it all every time and doesn't gain or lose weight, its right for your dog.  If he doesn't eat sometimes, cut back until he eats it all every time.  If he loses weight, increase a little.  It isn't an exact science. 

a 9 lb dog usually doesn't need a ton of food...Ginger averages at around 9 lbs and gets 1/8 c twice daily to maintain her weight. 

No treats & no catering.  A handful of kibble in the morning, if she doesn't eat in 15 minutes pick it up.  No treats at all.  Try again in the afternoon, same routine.  I'll bet by the third day that dog will be eating.  Remember that you are dealing with an animal, they will not starve to death but will train you to feed them something better if they can.  The dog has you trained, you need to turn that around.

My guys each weigh 14 pounds, a handful in the mornimg, a handful at night, Orijen Adult with Wellness Core cycled in on occasion.  A handful is what I can pick up & shake my fist around without dropping any, not a huge scoop of a handful.  Treats are a handful of kibble in my shirt pocket, they might get an extra half handful between them each day. 

Your dog is obviously well fed, I would have no problem teaching her to eat kibble on a schedule if you would feed me roast beef dinner!

 I find it funny that you say your dog is picky and that its driving you nuts, and then you feed it roast beef and veggies or chicken and rice.  Your answer is right there, along with the fact that you are overfeeding. 

Now, I have nothing whatsoever against homecooking.  I feed a raw diet mixed with cooked and kibble on occasion.  My dogs eat whatever I give them, no if ands or buts.  If they didn't I'd not give them something else.  So if you don't mind cooking for you dog, by all means do so, but don't get stressed when she turns her nose up and refuses something.  She's only holding out for something better.  

Also, if you are overfeeding, and you keep offering her something better and better, eventually she's not going to be able to refuse, and then you will have an obese dog on your hands.  Obesity leads to all kinds of problems in animals, just like humans.  The biggest being decreased lifespan, but joint problems is another, diabetes, all kinds of things that will cost you in the long run.  I see way way too many fat JRT's that it almost looks strange to see one in good shape.  

So, if she's holding a good weight, and she's got tons of energy, and she's alert, looks healthy in coat, teeth and gums, don't worry about her not eating as much as you want her to. She's fine.  Redefine your ideal amount to suit her, not what you think looks good in the bowl.  

huskymom

 I find it funny that you say your dog is picky and that its driving you nuts, and then you feed it roast beef and veggies or chicken and rice.  Your answer is right there, along with the fact that you are overfeeding. 

My thoughts exactly Candace.