General Chat

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Scott is a twelve year old Maltese poodle with a failing liver and he has lost his appetite. He is full of life and very playful, he gets a bit disorientated at times but otherwise he is alright. His mother died two years ago from liver and kidney failure, we had to have her put down as it was the most humane thing to do. The vet has told me to let him eat what he wants, the problem is he does not know what he wants. He never took to canned food or kibble so I have always fed him cooked chicken, with the skin and bones removed mixed with rice or spaghetti for dinner. He never liked vegetables. Breakfast is whatever we eat. He used to love snacking on raw potatoes, slices of apple and pears, ice cream, potato crisps and doggy treats. For the past few weeks he has only been eating his dinner every other evening and them only picks out a little bit of chicken. He will only eat a bit of porridge if I add lots of sugar to it and snacks on cheese and bacon. Having said all that, If I give him leftover lamb or steak he will gobble it all down in an instant. Any suggestions please? Lindy ;-))

add some thick gravy to the meat. maybe with a little cooked pasta. and a small amount of dry dog food or biscuit. Elaine x ps try ready brek insted of porrige...its a bit sweeter, or a small bit of weetabix mixed in it (a very small amount)

Elaine, I did not think of making a thick gravy, he can't chew on dog biscuits anymore. Ready mixed baby porridge might be a good idea. Thank you! Lindy ;-)))

Oh Bless him. You look after the wee mite, and Elaine is right *GRAVY* makes the meal. And porridge? The best thing for man and beast, as my old doctor told me once! Does he like honey? Lots of people love it on their porridge. Deanna X

Deanna, I have never given him honey, it is worth a try as he has a very sweet tooth. Thank you! Lindy ;-)))

I like my porridge as it comes, but my BIL has honey on his every morning. It is sweet and supposed to be better for you than sugar. It's a treat anyway, isn't it? He is a sick little man. Deanna X

You can buy special Doggy gravy now! lol How about egg? My German Shepherd is funny about some food and has a lot of food allergies, we had to take him off dog food for a while to get the allergies to settle down - during this time we fed him egg and potato and he loved it. Both are good and healthy and you can always add different things to the mix to keep him interested - I think 'interested' is the key, they soon get bored of the same old thing. Let us know how he gets on. Kaye x

Hubby is class two diabetic so I use canderell in the porridge. I have never liked the taste of honey but always have some in the cupboard for my boys, who eat it by the spoonful. Yuuk! Lindy ;-)))))))

< shouts in a gruff ' doggy' voice... SAUSAGES !! > mixed with gravy and chopped up. LOL ! (me and me gravy ) E x

mashed banana with the porrige ? (im getting peckish now) E x

You sound like me Elaine. My uncles used to call me 'gravy mouth' Because as long as I had potatoes and GRAVY.... I was happy... Deanna X

Kaye, I live in Portugal, in the sticks, and I have not see doggy gravy for sale over here. Scott used to love eating eggs but because of his liver problem he has gone off of them. The only potato he likes is crisps. Lindy ;-))

Elaine, I tried feeding him canned sausage which he gobbled down the first two meals, after that he would not look at them. He is off of fruit and never fancied banana. Lindy ;-))

this is probably a silly idea..............but what about baby food, you know those little pots of things to try and see what he might fancy? Barbara...

Now you would think I would have guessed that by the name wouldn't you! lol Give him things that are strong smelling - something he smell cooking perhaps like bacon? What about fish - tuna etc. My Sisters dog is a nightmare to feed and my Sister mixes all sorts in with her food (the dog that is) and has to vary it, but she used Pilchards, tomato sauce, gravy, tuna, corned beef...... My Mum has a recipe for doggy Liver Cake - my Sister's dog goes mad for it - mine can't have it because of Storms allergies, if you would like to try it let me know and I'll get hold of it for you. Kaye x

Barbara, No idea is silly! I think you mean purity baby food, personally I think they taste horrible and I don't think he will eat it. He is a ' homemade' food kind of dog, he was born on my lap so he thinks I am his Mommy and yes I do spoil him. Thanks for your idea! Lindy ;-)))

Kaye, Your sister's dog must have a cast iron stomach..lol Scott is old and is a house doggy, sometimes he has little accidents. I would hate to think what would happen if I made a drastic change in his diet.... I think that homemade gravy is a good start and if that does not work I will get back to you for the liver cake recipe.. Thank You Lindy ;-)))

hi have you tried scrambled egg with cheese my dog loves it or silly has it sounds cat food sarah

hi, sorry to hear about your best friend.. i've got a picky lhasa apso, have you tried soaking the biscuits in the gravy to soften them and adding fish or chicken paste for smell. i know your not supposed to give cat food, but you could add a small bit again for smell and taste.. i hope this is helpfull, i'm trained animal assistant and breed dogs.. kaz