OT: Deb...

I have a question for you. I adopted a male 2yr old Maltese this past Monday. He is so sweet. However, I have tried 3 different dog foods, one of them being what the animal rescue lady said to feed him. He won't eat any of them. After 2 days of him not eating anything, last night I had a chicken breast that I shredded up and grated a carrot and mixed it with his dog food. He dug around in his bowl and ate all the chicken and carrots, but left all the dog food. This morning I was fixing scrambled eggs, and made him one, he ate it right up! I was surprised because the rescue lady said that whoever had him last had left him crated about 10 hours a day, so I would be surprised if they actually took the time to feed him people food. I don't mind fixing food for him, I'm just wondering if it is good for him. Is there anything special I need to do to make sure he getting enough nutrients?

Shelley as a former rescuer of all animals...I would not feed the dog human food. As told to me by a vet..when they get hungry enough they will eat. Sounds like he is in depression and not sure of what is going to happen to him. I suggest putting some food in his dish not much and leave it there. He will eat when he gets hungry enough. If he has not eatten after a week then you should worry. Changing foods for him cause he wont eat will also cause him to have diahrrea...and possiblity of vomiting.

     I probably worry to much! I was panicking after a full day of him not eating.

Sadly this poor  baby has been uprooted many times and will need time to adjust to his new place I would use the food he has been on and give him a few days to settle in and I bet you will see food disappearing before you know it.

I know, they said the lady who had him kept him crated most of the day and all night. I'm glad I found him, he's to sweet to be mistreated!

I'm a bit different-I do feed my dogs people food, but only good quality meats and veggies, eggs.

It kind of depends on what you want him to do-but I think overall they are better off with a good canned/kibble diet, and supplements with people food. 

You might try heating up his dog food-warm biljack is like manna from heaven for my kids.

To get him to eat, put his food down, give him 15 minutes, if he doesn't go for it, take it up and don't offer it till later is standard advice.  BUT, a lot of small dogs really do better on multiple tiny meals and some just like to pick all day at their food.  The best thing you can do is give him his food and ignore him while he eats i****ching them while they eat is very threatening, and if you are nervous about him eating, he'll pick up on that too.

When feeding kibble, a little olive or safflower oil (just a little spritz) and some garlic powder sprinkled on and mixed in makes all my kiddos go nuts-even the fussy eaters.

Honestly, I have no problem feeding small dogs lean meat and veggies, with maybe a small amount of rice.  That's basically what dog food is.  The whole "people food is bad" idea came about when people food was bad for people too-fried foods, sugary foods, etc. 

Edit: didn't mean to exclude great danes, but if you can afford to feed a great dane people food-good luck.

Also: Dogs really groove on liver and gizzards-but they are really fatty and should only be fed once a week.

I also feed raw (even to the littlest dog) once a month or so-it's too nasty and technical for me for an ongoing thing-but once a month gives their teeth a good cleaning.  They eat the bones too-and poop out calcium-it's freaky. 

Deb,
    My babies get human food from time to time as well as a matter of fact Toby LOVES broccolii in all forms. Apples and baby carrots too. And I know many breeders who do raw as well as those that add several types of human food. But like you it is not the junk food stuff. Cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs (all forms) and nuts. Hmmm high protein, lower fat and no sugars sound familar? LOL!  

I agree with the raw in principle, but the practice is kind of a pain in the can if you (like me) don't care for the sight/smell of raw meat.

I also wanted to say KUDOS to you for choosing to rescue a dog-Maltese are sometimes more sensitive souls than some of the other breeds-they are quietly strong, not full of bravado like some of the other toys. I love those little guys. 

Thank you, I actually went looking for a different dog, but when I seen this one, he was just so sweet and cute I couldn't leave him there. Your right, he is quiet and so lovable, he would be perfectly content to sit on my lap all day! He follows me everywhere I go, and if I don't pay enough attention to him he will sit at my feet and cry. He has been wonderful. The rescue lady didn't know if he was housebroken or not, which made me a little nervous since I have never house trained a dog, but he has done great. No accidents in the house at all. He did however decide to poop in petco.

Luckily, he's little and doesn't eat much, I so far have just made up some extra lean ground chuck, brown rice, carrots and broccoli. He eats that very well, and likes chicken and eggs. I decided it may be easier than worrying about him not eating all the time. I picked up a cook book for Maltese dogs. My family thinks I am nuts to cook for  a dog, and I probably am, but I don't care.

I've only had one other dog, he was a Pom, and a pain in the butt! He was pretty, but very difficult. I was relieved when his previous owner called and said she would like to have him back if I decided to get rid of him. That made me a little leery of another dog, but I am so happy I got him.

He sounds like a perfectly wonderful little dog and he will give you the thing that we all love-unqualified love and devotion.  I know eat better myself since I made the rule that "all leftovers must be suitable for the animals or I won't eat them myself".  (that rule doesn't apply at restaurants-but I should consider it-I'd be healthier still....)