Dog: Salmon everyday ok?

[Anonymous]

I have a young Golden Retriever who is generally (human food) obsessed, but has been refusing basically every dry kibble avaialable. Bought her like 10 different kinds from the "what is best to feed your dog?" thread and on their own? Not impressed by any of them, even the dehydrated human grade ones. We have tons of dog foods, so have sort of bought into the rotational diet thing, but she really is only interested if there is a "topper" of some sort, which I now feel compelled to do to at least get through this 80 lbs of expensive dog food.

The tried and true thing she will eat is any dog food at all topped with a (meant for humans) half packet of salmon and water (about 3 oz). Is this ok? I've googled and results basically say yes, but sodium could be a concern. Salmon is in a ton of dog food though and her coat is gorgeous and silky, so thinking ok, but there are wise minds here I thought I would ask.

Yes, I asked the Vet and she kind of shrugged her shoulders. Is there any collective wisdom? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Following. Sounds like my Goldendoodle! For awhile he ate fresh food through The Farmers Dog, but after a couple of months he tired of that too.

Currently I feed him dry dog food (bought in 5 pound bags so he doesn’t tire of it too quickly), with random dinner leftovers from the family’s plate. This week he got lucky, since our eggs arrived cracked and broken, so I scrambled the mess and used it over several days to mix into his kibble.

Your question about salmon is great, as that’s likely healthier than the random stuff I mix in. (Some rotisserie chicken here, shredded cheese there, fish skin every now and then, etc.)

[Anonymous]

The biggest concern is the sodium, those types of packets tend to be loaded with it. Have you looked into toppers meant for dogs. Honest Kitchen makes quite a few. Also, depending on where you got the dog food, many pet food stores will offer you a refund if your dog doesn't like the food.

[Anonymous]

Have the same issue. I add fresh dog food from Ollies as a topper. It comes in 3 or 4 flavors, so there is variety. Sometimes I boil chicken and add that in over several days. I think my dog is allergic to salmon, but yes, sodium would be a concern.

[Anonymous]

"no sodium added" is your friend.

[Anonymous]

You do know that your dog will give in and eat the dog food if you don’t give it anything else, right? You don't have to beg a dog to eat.

[Anonymous]

My poodle is also picky and I crush half a raw patty (Acana) into warm water and put that under his kibble along with the water. He eats it. I wouldn’t do anything with added sodium but if you baked or steamed fresh salmon you could probably use a small amount of it (freeze it with the juice too!) flashed into the kibble.

Kibble is really bland.

[Anonymous]

Amazed at how many of us are adding toppers to dry dog food. I have a picky golden doodle and we are buying in small sachets of wet food to mix in with her kibble

[Anonymous]

I started giving my dogs Honest Kitchen dehydrated food, which ways the best in my budget range. They’re so much more energetic now and look better, too. Human grade food, with minimal or zero processing is great for dogs just like humans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My poodle is also picky and I crush half a raw patty (Acana) into warm water and put that under his kibble along with the water. He eats it. I wouldn’t do anything with added sodium but if you baked or steamed fresh salmon you could probably use a small amount of it (freeze it with the juice too!) flashed into the kibble.

Kibble is really bland.

OP here. Thanks, I'll try this! The no sodium added is a good idea but it still has quite a bit of sodium. Steaming seems fine, I could do that. Just leaving the food out doesn't really work unless we go 48+ hours. It's utter refusal. Tried Honest kitchen human grade and she was like, "what's this disgusting, gray glop?" A touch of salmon was working really well, maybe I just need to steam some.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The biggest concern is the sodium, those types of packets tend to be loaded with it. Have you looked into toppers meant for dogs. Honest Kitchen makes quite a few. Also, depending on where you got the dog food, many pet food stores will offer you a refund if your dog doesn't like the food.

She won't eat Honest Kitchen or several other brands of toppers. Portland Pet Co makes some she seems to like, so have done some of those. Doesn't LOVE it and will ignore the dish but will eventually succumb and eat it.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you tried salmon oil instead?

Also have a picky dog who loved it (for a while, until he didn’t).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do know that your dog will give in and eat the dog food if you don’t give it anything else, right? You don't have to beg a dog to eat.

+1. Unless the vet says otherwise, the dog can eat or go hungry. After a couple missed meals the kibble will look great to him. Most pet dogs are a bit overweight.

I'm all for buying a kibble the dog likes, but if you want to feed kibble (vs actually wanting to feed fresh food for your own reasons) let him have kibble or nothing.

PS, you can donate open kibble to most rescues.

[Anonymous]

Ok, here is the thing, your Golden is playing you, in a way. How do I know? Mine did the same thing.
When we got the pup, he ate ok, but somehow few months after, he realized that I would feed him human food if I had left overs. I am from a country where left overs are dog food.
So, he stopped eating dog kibble altogether.
And acted like he was in Othello! Just so devastated without that pork chop! Oscar worthy performance.
And he was gaining weight. So, my vet told us just stop, give him kibble in the morning. And not too much.
How cruel she was, I thought, my baby will starve. And he did... for two days, which is not even how long a dog can go without eating!
On the third day, he ate that plain kibble like it was caviar! Since then, my dog eat anything at all. Cabbage is his favorite! And that danged thing was picking and eating my tomatoes!
Here is a little hint... it really is not the dog, it is you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, here is the thing, your Golden is playing you, in a way. How do I know? Mine did the same thing.
When we got the pup, he ate ok, but somehow few months after, he realized that I would feed him human food if I had left overs. I am from a country where left overs are dog food.
So, he stopped eating dog kibble altogether.
And acted like he was in Othello! Just so devastated without that pork chop! Oscar worthy performance.
And he was gaining weight. So, my vet told us just stop, give him kibble in the morning. And not too much.
How cruel she was, I thought, my baby will starve. And he did... for two days, which is not even how long a dog can go without eating!
On the third day, he ate that plain kibble like it was caviar! Since then, my dog eat anything at all. Cabbage is his favorite! And that danged thing was picking and eating my tomatoes!
Here is a little hint... it really is not the dog, it is you.

Do this. Mine went 7 days but eventually they'll break. They'll eat their own crap, food off the street, or the kibble if you give no other options. You break them don't cater to them.