I've done it! I've discovered the trick to dachshund-free vacations!
So the notion of travel depression has been covered here time and time again. No one likes to leave the sad eyes of a dachshund behind when they leave for a trip. It truly is a challenge to enjoy yourself during time away from the lovable little noodles as I'm sure many of you can vouch for.
During my San Diego trip though I managed to conquer my feelings of guilt and my pangs of longing for a little pooch to invade my personal space and demand my attention.
The answer?
PUPPY STUNT DOUBLES!
Now I'm not saying I didn't miss MY pooches. I just hope to express how much easier it is to fill the puppy void when you at least have A dog present during your time away from your own. Seriously. It was awesome.
Miss you Tiny!
The topic of finicky eaters has come up here before. I wouldn't necessarily say that Tofu fits perfectly into that category. He seems to be the kind of dachshund that likes variety in his diet. We've only fed him high quality kibble from such brands as Wellness and Fromm since he's been living with us.
Late last summer, after experiencing an upset stomach and vomiting for several days, things changed. He would only tolerate a flavour of kibble for a few months before determining that he was going on a hunger strike. We'd leave it for a few days, hoping that he'd change his mind and so that we weren't creating a finicky eater but the most he'd manage was about half his daily intake.
Switching flavours was our solution but eventually he'd grow tired of those too. Overall, he just didn't have the same excitement for his meal times as he used to and that just didn't seem right. Being a foodie myself, I was a little disheartened that my dog was no longer enjoying his food.
There have been times that I've added canned wet food to his diet as a treat in the hopes that it would add variety. The raw food option is a little scary to me as I'm sure it is to many people. Not that I wouldn't give it a try eventually, but I'd want to consult thoroughly with our vet to ensure Tofu is getting the right balance. I have started experimenting with homemade food though as an occasional treat. That being said, a number of months ago I noticed one of the locally owned pet supply stores was carrying a new line of food. It wasn't kibble and it wasn't raw meat patties. It was dehydrated food.
The change in Tofu's appetite was immediate. He's excited at meal times again. There's no worry about him leaving behind uneaten portions (his bowl is licked clean enough that I could probably put it away without giving it a proper rinse!). The type that we're currently feeding him has dehydrated turkey pieces in with other natural ingredients. I just have to add water and let it soak overnight. For variety, I'll add a few teaspoons of other veggies into the mix. With other types of dehydrated food you can also add your own meat instead. In any case, for me this option is great because it takes the worry out of feeding the right nutritional balance while allowing Tofu a fairly fresh meal.
Here are just some of the dehydrated foods available on the market right now:
Addiction
Dr. Harvey's Canine Health
Grandma Lucy's
The Honest Kitchen
Nature's Variety
Sojos Natural
Anyone else have similar results? Have you tried or heard of dehydrated pet foods before?
[We were not paid, sponsored or otherwise rewarded for publishing this post. Please understand that purchasing products for your pet is a personal decision - we simply wish to share our experiences to show you some of the options out there. Please consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.]
Snuggling up together
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