My Dog Won’t Eat Her Mix Veggies

Nubia is a 4 year old (adolescent) Chow-Labrador mix. I got her from the ASPC as a puppy. She was rescued from a puppy mill along with eight siblings. She had the cutest face, and still does. I’m sorry I didn’t get two pups at the time. I listened to my husband, who said one was enough. I often wonder what happen to the litter.

My dog eats very well, and always did. Her diet includes all natural foods with no wheat, by-products or soy. I spend time reading labels on dog food like I do on regular food for the rest of the family. Store personnel come by every 15 minutes or so to find me standing in the same spot. “Sure I can’t help you?” With a shake of my head no, they walk off to report to co-workers I have not progressed since the last check. Nubia’s gotten tired stiffing bags of food, and has fallen asleep at my feet. Every so often she’ll lift her head with a look that says, “It’s not that deep. Just get a bag of food.”

“OMG mom you ended up with the same dog food you always get.” Yes I know I spent what seemed like hours, could have been, only to buy the same two brands I usually buy – Castor & Pollux Natural Ultra Mix and The Blue Company Wilderness Natural Evolutionary Diet. Both brands are dry food and have peas, carrots, blueberries, sweet potatoes that can be seen right in the mix. That’s the problem – I can see the fruits and veggies and so can the dog.

Nubia anxiously awaits her bowl of food as soon as she hears me pick-up the food bag. No matter where she is in the house, she comes running. How does she do that? I don’t make a sound! Anyway, she sits obediently until I place her food bowl on the floor, and then begins to eat. Nubia seems to be really enjoying the meal as I stand and watch her like I do the kids when they eat. Then it happens, she steps back from her bowl and spits out the first green pea. This is quickly followed by the carrots and another pea. Next comes the look, “I’m not eating these veggies!” My kids add to the chaos, “Mommy, you going to make Nubia eat her veggies? Nubia, its carrots and peas – not like the nasty turnips!”

In the meantime totally ignoring the humans in the room, Nubia spit out every carrot and peas in her bowl, and happily finished her meal. The evidence is lined up to the side of her bowl in a neat heap. She drinks her water and quickly exits the kitchen.

Being concern the dog is not getting enough vitamins and nutrients, I’ve tried introducing the veggies to Nubia by hand. She’s a very obedient dog. She’ll sit quietly as I offer her the food, and in one smooth motion, turns her head away. The first time she did the head movement, I had to laugh. She acted just like the kids when I try to give them medicine. She gives me this look, “I’m not eating that.” Then she just sits and waits patiently. I try again, not believing this dog’s action.

If dogs could talk – sometimes a look says it all! The eyebrow goes up this time followed by, “What part of I am not eat that don’t you understand?” look.

“OK you can go,” as I shake my head in awe (we speak to her in complete sentences). Nubia trots off with her tail up. I can hear her getting high fives from the kids in the family room. My dog won’t eat her veggies! Where's the dog whisperer?