This Maltese refuses to eat his dry dog food, and even starves himself for days to avoid eating them. He prefers to eat fresh food such as chicken. His owner is concerned about tartar build up on the teeth which is caused by a fresh food diet and wants to know why he won’t eat his pellets.

Question:

I have a 7 year old Maltese male who refuses to eat his pellets on his own,he will only eat it if handfed. He only ate a roast chicken meal on his own. I was advised by the vet that he was not getting sufficient nourishment from chicken alone and this type of diet also created a tartar build up which had to cleaned under anesthetic.This was the reason for swopping over to pellets which he now detests.I have tried leaving the pellets in his dish which remained there for 2 days as he preferred starving than eating it himself. To leave him on his own at home is a nightmare as he barks and creates havoc as well as wee’s in the house. Please help!

Hi Renu
So what’s the problem? The boy is clearly telling you in three official languages, Doglish, Barklish and Weelish, that he hates
damned dog pellets and he won’t eat them!
He’s also telling you roast chicken is far better for him because he’s a carnivore - it also tastes great, is not processed and it’s cheaper too!
He also wants you to know that dogs who eat only pellets still get tartar on their teeth and have to have them scraped under anesthetic, unless, of course, they are given plenty of raw, meaty, beef, knuckle bones which are disposable, DIY Doggie Dental floss and Toothbrushes … and once more, raw bones have ensured cutting edge, zero defect, dental perfection ever since Grandpa Flintstone hunted dinosaurs.
So, I’m sorry to say, I can’t actually see your logic in condemning the old man to a life of pellets which he wont eat anyhow… in fact now he’s seriously undernourished, as well as anorexic and still gets tartar build up on his chompers?!
Go with the flow.
Warm wishes
Glynne