Puppy won't eat new food

[amcal]

We were feeding our 5 mo chihuahua Kirkland puppy food. I wanted to switch to a healthier, better quality food so, after talking to the folks at the natural pet food store, I decided on Acana. She recommended the Pacifica variety because it's suitable for all stages, all breeds.

So, I've been mixing just a bit into his regular food to try to ease the transition but, it's not going so well. He's picking out all his regular food and leaving the new food untouched. If he gets any in his mouth, he drops it and leaves a little pile by his bowl.

The lady at the store recommended this one in particular saying dogs eat by smell and this one has a very natural fish smell and seems to be the most readily accepted when transitioning.

So, any thoughts or suggestions? I only bought a small trial bag so it's no big deal to try something else but, is it a good idea to keep switching?

[lonegirl]

Moisten the kibble a bit to try and enhance the odour. Low quality food is similar to having McDonalds-tasty but not healthful

[Ola_]

I'd try a different variety - how about something with the same protein source as his current food? Many dogs love fishy foods but some don't.

[greenmagick]

Yeah, some dogs really just dont like fish.

I would try a different variety as well

[amcal]

Sigh.....so, I poured some bone broth on it in hopes it would entice him and it just frustrated him. He licked and licked all around trying to get the broth but not the food. He clearly does not like this food.

His current Kirkland food is chicken based. I'll go tomorrow and see if Acana makes a chicken based food.

Or, any other recommendations?

[Oubliette8]

Honestly Kirkland is fairly good quality. Its not grain free, but its comparable to other natural foods, like Canidae, Chicken Soup, Natural Balance etc. Is your puppy having issues on the Kirkland? What are the reasons you want to switch? Kirkland is certainly not one of those foods I'd compare to being like "McDonalds". You're already feeding quality. At this stage it starts becoming more like a choice between feeding philosophies and company standards than about ingredients.

Acana does make several different flavors. You can try a chicken one and see if that entices him. If he just flat out refuses though, I don't think you need to feel like you HAVE to switch him, Kirkland is certainly one of the better foods on the market.

[amcal]

Hmmm, really? That's good to know. I only chose Kirkland because I needed something quick - we got the puppy unexpectedly and my older dog was on Kirkland because it's the only thing she didn't puke up (super sensitive stomach) and I was there so I grabbed it.

If it's a good quality food, maybe I'll just stick with it. He seems to like it just fine - although he does seem to prefer my older dog's food but, since he's only 5mo, I give him the puppy variety.

It will be really nice when I can get them on the same food since the 5 mo stalks my older dog trying to get her food.

[Sam*]

My dogs love Fromm 4 Star Surf and Turf (I have a fussy chi tooo) Its high quality grain free and not too bad as far as price goes. Do you have a store that will give you samples? EVO was a great food, but they recently sold to P&G. Orijen is also a nice grain free food, most dogs like.

[Ola_]

I agree that Kirkland is a pretty good food. I hear that they also have a grain-free version (not sure if it's at all locations) called Nature's Domain so that may be something to consider if you'd like to cut out the grains eventually. And their return policy is good so in case it doesn't work out you can bring it back.

http://www.naturesdomainpetfood.com/...natures-domain