Coton de Tulear doesn't seem very hungry

by Connie
(England)

Hello,

My five month Coton de Tulear ate Simpsons Chicken & Rice Dry food three times a day until the last few weeks, when she decided she'd refuse her meals. She began to eat one third of her daily amount then a few days later will eat the correct amount, but then just as all seems well again, she refuses two out of her three meals.

She'll eat cheese, chicken, and anything else except the Simpsons. So we tried Orijen, because we know from her early weeks that she likes it... or should I say liked.

We thought that it was because her teeth are coming through/dropping out so we even soften her food with water/gravy but she still seems temperamental.

Anyone else had similar experiences with their Cotons?

Comments for Coton de Tulear doesn't seem very hungry

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Nov 14, 2012
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Cotons are too smart
by: Sandy

Our Coton is almost 4 years old. After about 6 months he started doing the same thing with food. Then, I really ruined him by giving him different things. The more I did that, the more he held out to see what else was going to be offered. There were times when he would almost starve himself and then throw up bile because his tummy was empty. I was beside myself and even thought of selling him. But, who would buy a dog with this kind of eating disorder? Took him to our Vet, who kept him for an entire day and found he would nibble on dog food when he thought nobody was looking. Very interesting. Now, I serve him 4 small meals a days. He is given Science Diet dry (from the Vet for sensitve tummies), Science Diet moist mixed with a little chicken breast and green beans, and Stella & Cheweys Freeze Dried dog food. For treats I make chicken strips and sweet potato strips. All natural. I bake them in the oven (convection oven) at 200 degrees for a few hours, turning once. He's doing great. However, I feel he is so smart that he manipulated me and I fell for it. Not now (with the help of my Vet) and everything is great. Good luck.

Feb 09, 2012
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Coton not hungry
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

She seems to be old enough to only eat twice a day. Split the amount for the weight. Remember to subtract some of the food for any snacks, training treats or use her food as training treats etc.

If u let her chew on rawhide bones her next meal she might not eat since she has a tiny stomach & it is still probably full. I have never heard of a dog starving with the opportunity to eat.

Feed her morn. & night at the same time every day. If she does not eat in the morn. pick it up after an hour. When u go to feed her again give them the second half for the day. Do not try an have them eat the whole amount in one sitting.

U will find that by using the same time they get in a routine. If they do not eat one or both it is ok they will eat tomorrow. If u give them lots of snacks then they really will not be hungry.

Since they are puppies learning by tricks use their food to treat & just subtract from daily amount u put down for them to eat

Feb 08, 2012
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Fussy Eater
by: Anonymous

Dogs that get tummy upsets are likely to have allergies. Oliver, now 5, had a terrible time of it until I took him off all grains. He is still picky, and will sometimes go without for a day, but I think I found a diet he handles well. I get him raw meat mixed with veggies which comes frozen. I cook it in the microwave because I don't like the looks of raw meat. I mix it with a grain free kibble called NOW which he seems to like the best and sometimes quinoa.
He loves raw veggies and freeze dried liver treats.
Good luck.

Feb 08, 2012
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Thank you
by: Connie

Thank you for all your guidance.

Feb 08, 2012
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PICKEY EATER
by: SHERRY - COTTON

i wish you luck connie, my little girl will be two in august and we still have not found a dog food she will eat. i have even tried some canned dog foods that are not that great just to see if she would try them. some like alpo will make her vomit. we are back to buying blue and wild in the wilderness. she nibbles at them but in order to get her to eat much i bake her chicken and add rice and green beans. she is now refusing it sometimes. she does love carrots and blueberries. will almost always eat them. have you tried hard or soft boiled eggs? i do not know why these cotons are so picky but it seems most are. cotton will eat every morsel of cat food that i drop, wish she would do the same for her dog food. just keep trying different foods and hope it will get eaten.

Feb 08, 2012
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Tiffany wouldn't eat
by: Anonymous

My coton wouldn't eat much as a puppy, she had a lot of upset tummies. We finally settled on blue mountain, Tiff now eats well (sometimes too well). I think she was just finicky, we did give her half a tum when she seemed under the weather. She is now 2years old

Feb 08, 2012
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COTON AND FOOD
by: KATHY FROM PA

TRISCUIT WAS FINICKY WHEN I GOT HER AND TRIED DIFFERENT FOODS....I FINALLY SETTLED ON INNOVA SMALL BREED AND SHE LOVES IT NOW...SHE DIDN'T BEFORE....SHE ONLY EATS THREE QUATERS OF A CUP OF FOOD A DAY...ONCE IN A WHILE I WILL GIVE HER SOME COTTAGE CHEESE OR BOILED CHICKEN OR VEGGIES...

Feb 07, 2012
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Outgrowned
by: Marie Antoinette's Mommy

Yes, I have experienced this with my Marie at that age. It seemed she tired of the same food repeatedly. She has outgrown that now and eats regularly.

Feb 07, 2012
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They are picky dogs!!
by: Anonymous

OMG! We go through this all the time. Our coton is 3 and some days he is really hungry and wants to eat at breakfast and dinner and then he won't eat for two days! We have just kind of gotten used to it. He only eats Blue small breed, as far as dog food goes and the only treats he will ever eat are beggin strips! It kind of gets us a little perturbed when that food is $1.79 a can and he wastes a few! He likes broccoli, brussel sprouts,anything with tomato sauce like lasagna or spaghetti. We try not to feed him table food except to top his bowl off or mix it in to get him started on his dog food. Crazy! He is not really a beggar, but the things he will beg for and likes are salt & pepper potato chips and coconut macaroons! (Not any other type of chip!) Good luck!

Feb 07, 2012
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Finicky eaters
by: Anonymous

Our Truffles seems to try his best to keep us guessing what, and how much, he will eat. :)

Feb 07, 2012
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fussy eater
by: Anonymous

I can't tell you haw many different dog foods I went through trying to find something my Nina would eat. Now I am cooking food for her. I add it to her dog food and then it she eats good.

Feb 07, 2012
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habits
by: Gaston

Is she holding out for people food?

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