What if your dog only eats fruit, and literally nothing else?

Question

He doesn't even eat his dog food. I even tried feeding him a raw hot dog, and even bit out of it and ate some to show him that it's edible, but he just throws it aside.

I even tried force feeding him it.

And I tried cooking it, too.

I even gave the hot dog to another dog in front of him and he still didn't eat it.

But if I give him cantalope, honeydew, or grapes, he LOVES it. It's literally all he eats. Fruit.

Is this normal? Should I go to the vet or something?

Answer 1

Do Not give him Grapes they are considered to be toxic to dogs.  You have a problem because he will not get all the nutrients and vitamins that he needs.  If you withhold the fruit he will eventually eat his dog food. If you still can't get him to eat, then yes I would talk to a vet.Try boiled chicken or cooked hamburger meat mixed with his kibble. Some dogs are  picky, you have too keep trying different things. Or even add some cooked rice to it.

Answer 2

get a more fruit dog food. or just dont give him any fruit and then he will be forced to eat dog food.

Answer 3

Don't give him fruit.That simple.

Eating dog food day after day is like eating the same sandwich day after day.Not that pleasant.If you give an alternative like tasty fruit, your dog will of course ignore his food.

Although fruit is healthy it should ONLY be given as a treat AFTER your dog eats his meal.

Leave a bowl of dog food out and he will eat if he gets hungry.He might go a day without eating but that won't hurt him.

Also, maybe there is another reason he won't eat his dog food.Try changing the food.

He needs a balanced,nutritious meal that fruit cannot offer.

Answer 4

My dog was EXACTLY the same, and the  reality is you have to be cruel to be kind. Leave their dog food out for half an hour, make a point of showng them where it is. If its not been touched within that half an hour take it away, cover over and try the same routine a while later. Dont make a big fuss when he does eat it. Dogs will never starve themselves, so leave off the fruit and just stick to the dog food, eventually they WILL eat it, i promise.

Take my advice, complete dried dog food is best, as their teeth wont rot and they contain the vits and nutrients they need. and the fruit give as an occasional treat....BUT NO GRAPES!!!! they can kill a dog. as can onions and chocolate.

Please try not to force feed your dog, this will frighten him and will not accomplish the task, it will just make this problem worse as he will be frightened of eating, and frightened of you.

He will eat eventually if you do it this way, i promise!

also dont feed raw chicken as someone else has suggested.....would you eat it raw? it  can have the same effects of poisoning on a dog as it can a human?!!!

Answer 5

you should defenitly go to the vet if he eats only fruit his food wont be in a good balance and some fruits arebt good for dogs

Answer 6

Ok i have a dog similar to yours...  do not give him fruit but keep regular dog food around the house he will get hungry and eventually eat it. You could also try feeding raw chicken or Vinson they generally prefer this over hot dogs. I hope i helped in some way.

  

Answer 7

GRAPES can KILL your dog.  They can cause renal failure which can lead to death.

NO GRAPES - NO RAISINS

Most other fruits are alright.

And c'mon, what brand of hot dog are you trying to get the dog to eat?  Many of them are a poor source/quality meat and a smart dog will eat something that smells better.

Try offering that same dog a choice between a bit of raw ground beef or the same hot dog.  He'll probably turn his nose up at the fruit as well as that hot dog.

EDIT****

You're obviously testing the dog.

In order to get him to eat his own food you need to measure the food out (hopefully a good quality kibble -not that c**p from Wal-Mart) , place it in a bowl in front of the dog, tell him to eat and walk away. IF after 10 minutes the food is not gone you should pick up the bowl and not offer it again until it's time for his next meal.  And do not offer any treats in between.

And absolutely NO GRAPES.  They are toxic to dogs.

If you have any doubt regarding this check out -http://www.aspca.org/site/News2?page=New...

And on the issue of the dog not eating.  Pick dogs are created, not born.  You actually created the problem by offering treats in place of and/or in between regular meals.  The link below says basically the same thing I provided above.

Answer 8

Mix your dog food and the fruit together to see if your dog will eat the food or just pick out the fruit

I always give my dog apples w/ her dog food and she eats it more but my dog also doesn't like certain dog foods so I switched brands