Raw egg to the diet?

[jboboxer]

Roxy is 5 months old and she doesn't eat much and most people comment on how skinny she looks. I've tried orijen, natural balance, innova and wellness and of course some she likes more than others, but I'm having a hard time getting her to eat much.
I've tried adding a little bit of oil to her food and also I've tried adding water and microwaving the food (Brings out the smell).
Seems like those things work, but not that great and a friend told me she would just use raw eggs mixed with her dog's food.

I ended up cracking open a raw egg and mixed it with her natural balance and she eat everything up really quick. I'm just not sure if two raw eggs a day is healthy for a puppy or a dog for that matter each day?

The only other supplements she's taking is a fish oil pill, vitamin e and vitamin c.

[Please Work]

I wouldn't give more than two eggs a week. Boxers are known to be lanky and skinny looking as pups, you should be able to see their last two ribs slightly but you don't want to see their pelvis or other bones showing. If I had a dollar for each time someone commented our girl looked skinny within that first year lol

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Originally Posted by Please Work

I wouldn't give more than two eggs a week. Boxers are known to be lanky and skinny looking as pups, you should be able to see their last two ribs slightly but you don't want to see their pelvis or other bones showing. If I had a dollar for each time someone commented our girl looked skinny within that first year lol

I completely agree!

And to add, stop dressing up her food or you're going to create a horribly picky eater. Put the food down by itself that you want her to eat and leave it down for 15 minutes or so, don't hover over her let her do her thing, after 15 minutes, pick it up and put it down 12 hours later (or 8 if you feed 3 times a day still) and continue to repeat this. She will eventually learn that she doesn't have you trained anymore and will eat when she's hungry. You will need to be extra careful not to fall into the pity party mode. She's been sick you want her to eat, I get it, but you have to remember you cannot help anything or anyone by feelign sorry for them. So put it down, pick it up and continue this. Yes it may take a day or two for her to catch on but I promise she will. She won't starve herself. Also at about the age she's at they typically slow down A LOT in their eating because they slow down drastically in their growing so it isn't uncommon to see them start to eat less around 5-6 months old. Also though during her food strike it's important not to give any other food, treats, etc until she starts eating the meal you are going to continue to feed her on a regular basis for a week or so, then you can start back up with treats, etc.

Don't stress about it and she won't either and meal times will be a lot nicer for all.

Good luck.

[jboboxer]

Originally Posted by BxrMommieNAZ

I completely agree!

And to add, stop dressing up her food or you're going to create a horribly picky eater. Put the food down by itself that you want her to eat and leave it down for 15 minutes or so, don't hover over her let her do her thing, after 15 minutes, pick it up and put it down 12 hours later (or 8 if you feed 3 times a day still) and continue to repeat this. She will eventually learn that she doesn't have you trained anymore and will eat when she's hungry. You will need to be extra careful not to fall into the pity party mode. She's been sick you want her to eat, I get it, but you have to remember you cannot help anything or anyone by feelign sorry for them. So put it down, pick it up and continue this. Yes it may take a day or two for her to catch on but I promise she will. She won't starve herself. Also at about the age she's at they typically slow down A LOT in their eating because they slow down drastically in their growing so it isn't uncommon to see them start to eat less around 5-6 months old. Also though during her food strike it's important not to give any other food, treats, etc until she starts eating the meal you are going to continue to feed her on a regular basis for a week or so, then you can start back up with treats, etc.

Don't stress about it and she won't either and meal times will be a lot nicer for all.

Good luck.

I've never left her food sitting there. I always put it down wait 20-30 minutes and then it's picked up for the rest of the day. It's not helping and doesn't matter, she just doesn't like to really eat much.

I was watching a show on television on animal planet that said some dogs are motived by food and others are by toys. I can pick up the omega toy ball and fill it with her dry kibble and then fill her bowl with the exact same kibble and each time she would rather play with the ball and get the food out that way than go to the bowl where the food is just sitting there waiting for her.

[gmacleod]

Have you tried adding some fresh meat to her food? Red meat particularly if she's on the skinny/lanky side. Other good options include sardines, canned dog food, or a little cottage cheese now and again. I suggest these things for two reasons - one is because I don't think a 100% kibble diet is ideal (for many reasons, nutrition being one of them), but also because it is lean protein that is needed to help build up muscle mass, and the highest quality protein is found in meat.

And, of course, if it helps to ensure that she consumes her food, then all the better. LOL - it may be possible to force the dog to eat plain kibble, but unless you have a particular wish to ensure that is all the dog eats (i.e. don't want the bother or expense of feeding meat as well), then adding meat isn't going to do any harm to anyone.

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Originally Posted by jboboxer

I've never left her food sitting there. I always put it down wait 20-30 minutes and then it's picked up for the rest of the day. It's not helping and doesn't matter, she just doesn't like to really eat much.

I was watching a show on television on animal planet that said some dogs are motived by food and others are by toys. I can pick up the omega toy ball and fill it with her dry kibble and then fill her bowl with the exact same kibble and each time she would rather play with the ball and get the food out that way than go to the bowl where the food is just sitting there waiting for her.

Well how much food a day does she eat and how much does she weigh and what food do you feed now? And do you give her a bunch of treats, stuffed Kongs, etc (at that will make her eat less)?

[kayboxer]

I agree with Gmacleod. There is nothing wrong with adding to your dogs kibble. It only improves their diet and contributes to the health and growth of your pup. Just make sure you add the right things as was stated in Gmacleod's reply.

[OctoberGotti]

We give Gotti 1-2 whole raw eggs (shell and all) per week! He loves it and it's great for them!