Any one with a Shih Tzu

[Curtsmum]

My Shih tzu, Charlie will not eat his own food. He will only eat dog food with fresh chicken, he as started eating the chicken and leaving the food. He then spends his time crying and begging for our food. I have tried different varieties of food and even dried dog food. Doe's anybody have any tips, i'am getting worried that he is not gettin enough food. Thanks Paula x

 

[Cris N]

Haven't had a Shih Tzu but I have had dogs. Paula, it's time for some tough love! You need to show him who's boss - and right now it's Charlie! He will eat his dog food when he gets hungry enough. To keep you from going crazy though, you might mixing chicken broth in the dry food. Good luck!

 

[Nancy]

I have a Shih Tzu, actually, our second one. They are the sweetest dogs. Try some baby food (meat varieties) mixed with a little of his canned food, and some of the hard food.

And take him in for a check up.

He could be having gastro problems, or anal gland impaction which can make it difficult to have a bowel movement.

He could also be having problems with his teeth.

So a vet check is warranted.

If all checks out OK with the vet, then he just likes people food too much, and it's not good for him.

We do feed our little one a small amount of people food. Dogs like the sharing aspect. But we limit it to a small amount and have trained her to understand "all gone, go eat your food".

 

[hensylee]

Daughter has a female one. she also has two other (different type) dogs. One dog is old, has her own dish. The other two eat from the same bowl. They do not feed goodies from the table. If your dog is healthy there is no reason why he won't eat. If you have any doubts about this, he should be seen by a vet. You also might want to go into the web and find a club whose interest is dogs and I bet you will find a group who can help.

I am a member of About.com and there is a cat column in there. I subscribed and get a newsletter about once a week. The articles speak of foibles, health, fun, etc about cats. They probably have one for dogs.

I have one cat who has golf ball sized rubber balls to play with - about 8. She picks them up, carries them to various spots in the house, all the while yowling at the top of her voice. This was referred to in the site I spoke of in the above paragraph. So I got my answer just by reading and being a member. You might, too.

 

[Gemma]

Jim's sister's dog, Ozzy (a German Shepherd), had some gastric problems as a puppy and the vet recommended James Wellbeloved dog food which is apparently good for dogs with sensitive stomachs - if you go to their website you can order free samples http://www.wellbeloved.co.uk/free-sample/form.htm. Ozzy still eats only that and freshly cooked chicken. The only downside is that the dog food is rather on the expensive side. I think there's another cheaper alternative, but can't remember its name.

The other possibility as Cris said is that Charlie's getting a bit fussy and likes the fact he gets whatever he wants to eat! Either way, it's worth taking him to the vet to get checked out.

 

[Curtsmum]

Thanks, we got him from the dogs home and was told he eats cesar and fresh chicken at weekends, when he wouldn't eat the cesar, i put chicken in it and he was fine, he used to eat both but now just the chicken. He has no problems toilet wise and his teeth are fine, he eats chew bars with no problems. I will have to start giving less chicken and see how he goes. Thanks for all replys. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/paulabrown

 

[Granbonny]

Shih tzu's are the best

Shih tzu's are the best

Of the many dogs we have had..Our Ti was the best..What a great little dog..died at age 12 with heart problems..We now have a Papillon..age 5..The only thing I give him is Cesar..the best..He's begging now for chicken that he knows, we had for dinner..No way..will have diarrea tomorrow. sometimes I will give him some beef..if not too seasoned.. Papillon's have the long flowing tail..and hate when he gets diarrea..Drips down, ect. would still love to get another Shih tzu..but learned..you can never get the same breed to replace one that was so great. Just not the same..Bonnie

 

[BAV Pt's daughter]

you might mixing chicken broth in the dry food. Good luck!

even chicken and rice with the rice boiled in the broth might get him started if nothing else will, plus vets recommend that diet quite regularly from my experience with my problem-prone dog (not that she's seemed to have minded). Good luck!