Saturday, March 19, 2011

Hunger Strike

I can only remember a couple of times where my parents wouldn't let me leave the dinner table until I cleaned my plate. I'm pretty sure both of those times, the meal included lima beans or peas of some sort. My dad didn't like his vegetables either, and I'm pretty sure my mom was forbidden to make them ever again. Especially after his daughter, who is was too smart for her own good, pointed out that dad didn't clean his plate so he should have to sit at the table until he was done as well. Yeah, that didn't happen, but a spanking did.

Over the last three weeks, Roxy's eating habits have become really poor. It started with refusing the nightly marshmallow that I give each of them at bed time. Okay, so she doesn't want sweets, not a big deal. Then she started leaving everything in her Kong totally untouched, except the cream cheese or peanut butter. I figured Seka bullied her into giving her Kong up, which happens even in their crates sometimes. The next reject on the menu was a raw chicken back. Then came the turkey neck's turn. Three days ago, she totally gave up chicken gizzards and hamburger all together. I think she ate grass and a couple of slices of American Cheese for the last two days because nothing else would do. Maybe she's making a vegetarian statement of some sort.

There's really only one culprit: her choppers. Poor Roxy just has the bad teeth gene and despite regular brushing and a raw diet, she continues to lose teeth a pair at a time. She most recently had two pulled in August. Now, it looks like she's going to lose at least two more on the other side. We were waiting to complete an antibiotic cycle before having them pulled, but with her eating habits becoming so poor, I guess we may have to do this sooner, rather than later.

My dilemma, what do we put on Roxy's menu after she has lost most of the back teeth in her mouth? Do we move to kibble for her? It can't be easy to eat dry pebbles without back teeth. Will she be able to chew raw bones again? Are we headed down a path of canned dog food for good (ugh, please no)?

I really want to keep her on a grain-free diet, especially when she's allergic to peas (I wish I had that excuse) and eggs. Both are used in a lot of commercial kibble. We live in the country, so we lack convenient access to uppity dog food and I'm a poor planner when it comes ordering ahead of time. I guess we'll just see if she can gum the raw dishes once we get her appetite back.

Seka, on the other hand, is psyched that her sister isn't eating her daily ration. Before I really got a handle on the severity of the situation I'm 99% sure Seka ate Roxy's food too. Something Fatty McPatty didn't need. But the joke was on her tonight as Roxy wolfed down a can of Newman's Own canned dog food as she stood by drooling on the sidelines.

12 comments:

Mad Red Hare said...

A friend and fellow greyhound owner has a grey that has only 4 teeth left. They soak his kibble before they feed it to him. I think they might give him a little canned food as well. Poor baby. I have 2 right now that need dentals.

KF-in-Georgia said...

After her dental, I'd try a little warm water on kibble for the first couple of days. After that, you might be able to move to dry kibble. (My guys never chew anything but their fiber supplement; everything else is inhaled.)

For her other food, Roxy should do fine if the pieces are small. And maybe a bone with some meat on it, so she can gnaw with her front teeth?

houndstooth said...

We had Blueberry's teeth cleaned in November when we had her lump removed. They gave us some Science Diet T/D, which is a special version for keeping teeth clean. It's too expensive for me to feed all four dogs, but it does make a great treat. The pieces are really big, but rather soft. I don't know about whether there's grain in it, but it might be worth looking into. We wish your poor girl good luck!

genji said...

If you check out my post from Nov, 27, 2010, there is a picture of Allie eating kibble. She has no teeth left, but that does not stop her from wolfing down kibble. We add just a bit of water, but we do that for all the kids. Hopefully Roxy will only lose a few teeth.

IHeartDogs said...

If you want to continue raw, how about getting a grinder and making slop?

Like others have stated, wet kibble should work.

Poor Roxy, hope the dental goes well.

greygirl25 said...

I have two totally toothless hounds (bad greyhound teeth genes). The do fine on kibble.

WeeMasonMan's Mom said...

One of my two only has 5 teeth plus her canines and she eats dry kibble fine.

Hope Roxy is feeling better soon!!

WeeMasonMan's Mom said...

Also wanted to add that Daisy also still eats turkey necks and pig ears although she only has one back molar. So raw might be more challenging, but not totally out of the picture once her mouth has healed!

Greyhounds CAN Sit said...

Sorry to read about Roxy. I'm sure you'll soon find something to feed her. Lots of excellent suggestions here so I won't add to them:)

IHateToast said...

Aw, poor Roxy. And poor Seka for not getting to steal her munchies.
My guys have their teeth, but I am sure they don't use them for anything other than pulling the white blood out of the plushies. They mouth, gulp, swallow, breathe (optional), repeat as necessary.

So, is that Dr Hottie?

Hiking Hounds said...

I hope Roxy is feeling better and enjoying her meals!

Eliz said...

They make some dehydrated raw foods, like sojos and honest kitchen, it is sort of expensive though.