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What I've noticed with most dogs who are free fed at any point in their lives is they lose the urgency when eating, and often don't eat enough. Of course some dogs are food driven and will continue to eat until they're wider than they are long.

I would suggest trying samples of all the holistic brands and varieties until you find something he'll go right after. You may also want to try adding some Solid Gold Green Cow or the other cow tripe brand (the name escapes me right now). If it were me, I'd probably try moving to a food like Solid Gold Barking at the Moon or Nature's Variety Raw Instinct. That way he doesn't have to eat as much as he would on a food that contains grains.

As a very last resort, I would look for something with animal digest in it. Animal digest is used to make poor foods more palatable, and you're only going to find it in stuff like Purina Dog Chow, Pedigree, etc. Obviously, because of the ingredients involved it's nowhere near ideal. However, if he won't eat anything and gets overly skinny you're going to have a whole lot more complications.

Those are all some really good ideas. I'm going to try some different samples and also get him on an eating schedule. Thanks so much! []

I have a picky Boxer myself.  When I got her I started her on Purina Pro Plan, her previous owner fed her whatever was cheapest and she was VERY skinny!  She really likes the Pro Plan and I've spoken with three different vets who have said that it is a good choice, it doesn't contain corn which a lot of dogs are allergic to.  Also, to help her gain weight we are giving her Beneful Prepared meals about once a week in addition to her normal amount of dry food.  She absolutely loves them!  Your pup would probably enjoy the prepared meals if you don't want to go with Pro Plan.  They actually look and smell like something I would eat!  And the ingredients aren't bad either.

The other brand of canned tripe is Tripett.   My puppy and my cat both LOVE it and they both finish all their dry food now after being such picky eaters I have actually cried in frustration.  Plus their coats are nicer than before.   It comes in three different varieties and the New Zealand lamb has been the favourite.  I will warn you that it smells like death.

You might want to try Canidae.Most dogs will love the taste and it's an excellent food. No soy, wheat, or corn. Good luck to you. I have a Golden who will eat just about anything.  [linkhttp://www.canidae.com]www.canidae.com[/link]
 

If you've got a fussy pooch i wouldnt try canidae,it is similar to innova,but plainer.

Gosh Luvntzu's if he doesnt eat enough of RC33 OR timberwolf i dont know what else i can suggest,other than EVO,and i know what you're gonna say about that suggestion [] [] But it sure is worth a try,my dogs love it,they are good eaters,but not the type to eat everything and anything either.

Are you sure he's just not a small eater? Is he losing weight? You should start weighing him on a weekly basis and then you will be able to tell if he's eating enough to sustain.

However i would agree with the others about green tripe,i have never heard of a dog who can refuse the ole cows stomach,they absolutely go crazy for the stuff and it is very,very good for them,packed full of enzymes and other goodies.All dogs should get at least 2-3 servings of green tripe a week,preferably raw green tripe.

My 11 pound Crested is in terrific condition and never eats more than a teeny sprinkle of kibble (EVO) am and about 2 oz rmb pm.  She eats a single medallion of NV raw frozen per DAY, split over two meals.  Tiny dogs rock, man.  Check your pup's condition by touch - ribs should be discernable but not easily countable by touch and you should feel a bit of padding from the point of the hip to the tailbone. 

Thanks guys for all the suggestions! []

Edie- I actually have almost a brand new bag of Innova EVO. A few days after I got it I read about Pancreatitis and got worried. When it comes to my baby I'm a worry war about doing the best for him. [&:] But anyway, I think it may be a good food for him afterall since it's more calorie dense and doesn't have grains. As far as him liking the food, I'd say he gave it an "ehhh". lol But he'll pick at it and eat it if I mix in canned food. At this point I'm not going to try Tripe (shudder, ewww lol) only because he goes after canned Wellness with gusto.

Forgot to answer one of your questions Edie, he isn't losing weight, but he's never weighed quite enough in my opinion. I can very easily feel his ribs and spine, there's almost no padding. I'd say he's slightly underweight.

brookcove- We posted at the same time. I agree that small dogs are awesome! I like that a 4 lb. bag of food is a good supply for him. Chinese Cresteds are just so cute!

ORIGINAL: brookcove
My 11 pound Crested is in terrific condition and never eats more than a teeny sprinkle of kibble (EVO) am and about 2 oz rmb pm.  She eats a single medallion of NV raw frozen per DAY, split over two meals.  Tiny dogs rock, man.

Tiny dogs rock...except when you have to put them on a diet! [] Boy, did I ever feel guilty cutting down portions during diet time. There was like no food in the bowl!

Well, you got some good advice.  I personally liked Canidae, but only one of mine would eat it for a long period.  It's a midgrade food, but we had some success with Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul.  Merrick has decent food as well.  Good luck!

Have you tried mixing plain yogurt in with the food?
 
Maddi's got the "ehhh" attitude towards all three of the foods I tried. She was too skinny, IMO, so I had to do something. I went the canned food route for a while... but it was getting expensive, so I started adding some yogurt... it also had a bonus of helping her tummy stay more balanced when I was giving her lamb shanks []. Now, I don't even have to mix the yogurt in really well... I just put a plop in and she eats all of her food.
 
I currently have her on Innova as well because of the skinny issue. She's not big into food, so I want a calorie dense food to keep weight on her.

Yup, I have the plain yogurt in the fridge and he also gives that the "ehhhh". [&:]

Now I'm starting to get worried though, about 30 minutes ago, for the first time EVER he didn't even eat the canned food mixed with dry. I put the bowl down and he walked away. I went to do a few things, came back and showed him the food again, encouraging him to eat. He still didn't want to eat. So I left the food down and got on the computer, hoping he would go back in there and eat. Nope. He's laying on the couch. [] I'm going to pick up the food now and try again this evening. Maybe he's just not hungry today.....
 
Edit- I left the food down a few more minutes and he went back and ate most of it. Thank goodness.

Luvntzus - When I was reading your post, it was like the same situation that I'm dealing with.  As you know I had post many times on here about JJ not eating, throwing up and I have had it with kibbles.  So I'm not going to buy no more kibbles.
 
JJ is doing better, and is eating.  I learn that JJ usually eats one meal a day and a little here and there for breakfast.  Lately I had been out at the dog run with her, she got tons and tons of exercise.  The exercise really helped!  Amazingly. 
 
JJ's grandma would make rice, with soup pork and I would add in a spoon of can food.  JJ only likes eating tender soup pork that her grandma makes, smells good.  She get a bowl full and so far, three days, she had licked the bowl clean.  []  Sometimes I would add in vegetables.  So on the side, she get apple sauce or yogurt.
 
This fussy eating thing drive us crazy.......
Wish you & me luck!  []

That's true, I do remember you posting about JJ's pickiness. A couple of people said to go the "tough love" route, which is what I would normally do also, but these little guys are different. They'll eat so little that they start to lose weight and practically starve themselves to death. Not healthy!!

I'm starting to think that I need to stop buying kibble for Gingerbread also.... Sigh, it really is "trying" and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one going through this!