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How to get my stubborn Shih Tzu to eat dog food, not human food?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | unspayed | 9 months and 30 days old | 6.8 lbs

my shi tzuh is very stubborn and does not want to eat her kibble and i am part to blame because being a first time dog owner i did not know the proper feeding routine i gave her people food and i was able to sneak people food in her kibble and it worked for a while but now its strictly give me people food or my puperoni treats or i wont eat and when she doesn't eat she throws up this bile like foamy yellowish liquid what can i do to make her eat dog food please help!!

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on June 25th, 2018

I would try to mix dry and canned food together and see if this helps. You can then slowly decrease the amount of canned food. She may always require some canned food or a few pieces of chicken or green beans over her food to make her want to eat. I would talk to your vet about an antacid that she can take to help reduce the vomiting. You may just have to be more stubborn than her and see if she will eat after skipping a couple of meals. If the vomiting or decrease appetite continues, I would have your vet take a look at her to make sure there isn't anything else going on. I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Jennifer Witt, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 14th, 2018

    Hey there. Oh, Snowball. Really wish these guys wouldn't eat things they shouldn't. If she is acting okay I would try to feed her a bland diet. Boil some boneless chicken breasts and then shred those up and mix with some cooked rice. This will help bind around whatever she ate and maybe try to move it thru. Not knowing what it is she ate is a problem. If she were to start vomiting and not able to keep food and water down, I would recommend having her seen by your veterinarian. Whatever it was, could cause an obstruction. So, watch for vomiting and diarrhea and if she becomes lethargic. As long as she is acting normal and still seems playful you can try moving it thru with the chicken and rice. Good luck

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 22nd, 2017

    Boilded chicken and rice or lunch meat turkey is very lean and easy on the stomach to digest. You can also try low fat yogurt or baby food if you need to place some in her mouth to get her interested. You may try pedialyte or gatorade or chicken broth to get her to drink to make sure she does not get dehydrated.

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