Has anyone ever fed Natural Balance food roll by itself?

Kidney issues will cause loss of appetite, so maybe it's not the food, she just doesn't feel good. I think dogs know what they need when they are sick. I would feed her whatever she wants to eat until you know more from the vet. That said, you could try strong-smelling stuff like the tripe someone suggested, or canned fish. You're not going to cause nutritional imbalances in just a week or so.

 Well, she turned her nose up at the Merrick today so I fed her some NB food roll and opened the can of NB liver. I could tell that she really liked the smell of the NB liver and she even ate some of it - maybe a tablespoon full. So I will probably pick more of that up today. I'm just going to feed her whatever it is that she will eat. She is looking frail today, like she lost more weight so I'm going to take her to the pet store and get her weight.

Poor Dakota, she's so beautiful.  Willow likes to eat tuna, maybe she'd like that??  Willow will only eat the tuna that's in can, no pouches for her.  Bumble Bee is a hit here.

My kidney dog LOVED NB rolls. LOVED. Kidney problems make them nauseated, so I'd try to keep it bland. If she likes chicken and rice, burger and rice, maybe some sweet potato.... Something fairly simple would probably be good, to get her eating again. Canned tripe would be a wonderful addition (I wish I'd have known about it, when I had the kidney dog).

Doesn't Canidae make a Platinum canned that's lower in fat and protein? 

I couldn't find the platinum canned anywhere. I even had our pet store check to see if they could order some. They ended up ordering me some lamb and rice but it hasn't come in yet.

I bet she would like tuna, I might pick some up today. Where do you buy this tripe stuff? 

My local Petco carries the Solid Gold green tripe cans. I do not know if all do though.

I am so sorry your pup isn't doing well. I hope everything gets better soon, for both of your sakes.

 As for ideas to get him eating I humbly suggest:

soak some kibble (in water or stock/broth) and throw it in the blender with the NB roll. Mix it all up and see if that works. Kind of like NB-kibble pate'.

You could also try a high caloric nutritional supplement for the boost he may need. They frequently come in a squeeze tube- like toothpaste. Some vets will also give a B comlex injection as it can help stimulate the appetite and eprk them up (assuming it woudn't complicate the current medical issues)

Tripe can often be had from the meat counter man at the grocery store (just ask) and at most Asian markets. It may be sold fresh or frozen. It stinks to high heaven if you ask me, but is healthy and "tasty" to almost all four-leggeds. A warning: do not microwave it as the smell seems to permeate the walls of the microwave...

I have also had good luck tempting a sick animal to eat by mixing or feeding meat based baby food. I happen to have used the organic versions right off the grocery store shelf  (I looked for the no salt and no sugar added). I figure if it is good for babies then it can do no harm, especially as compared to not eating at all.

I agree with several of the other comments. When you feel icky you loose your appetite and vice versa. I would let him eat anything within reason if it means he is getting some nutrition. You can't stress about "balanced diet". You sound like a very loving and concerned fur-Mom - good luck!

jane

I just wanted to warn you if you've never experienced tripe before it's completely gross smelling.  It will stay with you all day. 

If I were doing a high-calorie supplement for a kidney dog, I'd really check the fat and protein content. Don't want to irritate an existing problem.

Soft scrambled eggs have always been a big hit, with my dogs, and they're a very digestible protein. Do try, though, to keep the protein low, if you can. Sweet potato, oatmeal (with honey, if she likes sweet things), and overcooked white rice seem to be the most palatable carbs. Overcook any carbs you give her (adding plent of water) to make them especially digestible.
 

jprinz99

Tripe can often be had from the meat counter man at the grocery store (just ask) and at most Asian markets. It may be sold fresh or frozen.

I'm not sure,but i dont think human grade butchers sell the proper green/unwashed/unbleached tripe,which is what i think we're all talking about. I would think it would be illegal to sell the real thing for human consumption,and i do not know anyone who would want to eat it in that form.The tripe found in human butchers would have already had all the good stuff,eg enzymes etc taken out.

Look for raw,green tripe. You can buy it from online raw suppliers like Oma's and a place for paws.Solid gold do a version as well as the canned green cow mentioned above from petco.