Who knows best?

I feel really bad.  Why did I listen to that vet tech and to that trainer?  Kitty was doing really well.  But I had to go and try to change her eating plan.  Sad to say, I woke up to the sound of her vomiting this morning.  For such a small dog, her stomach can make big sounds when she is sick.  It pains me to have to watch her suffer.  I feel like her little body should not have to endure such huge discomfort.  It’s too much for her!  Ay yay yay…

Kitty has been eating PRESCIPTION DIET dog food for a few months now.  But she eats the canned food.  I had not introduced her to the kibble for a couple of reasons:  1) Because it only comes in a ten pound bag, and Kitty weighs less than four pounds, 2) the bag costs $30, and I could not see spending that amount of money on something that she might end up getting sick from or not being able to eat after all. 

The other day, however, I stopped by the clinic where I purchase Kitty’s heartworm medicine, and they happened to have an open bag of Kitty’s prescription food.  So I asked if I could have a little handful of kibble to see if my dog could eat it or if she even liked it.  They gave me about a half a cup in a small baggie.  I was surprised to discover that Kitty LOVED it.  I gave her just a couple, and she started to beg for more!  I guess she thought they were treats.  Like I said, she only gets canned dog food and bits of apple from time to time.  So, a crunchy kibble probably had her thinking it was party time.

I gave her a few more. She ate about 12 total, and seemed fine the next day.  So, after her training class I went ahead and bought her the large bag of dog food.  I brought it home and read on the bag that dogs that are five pounds should eat half a cup of food a day.  Does that seem right to you?  Only a half a cup of food for a five pound dog for an ENTIRE DAY???

Anyhoo, I measured out Kitty’s portion a little less than that since she only weighs 3.8 pounds.  I got three tiny containers and tried to divide the kibbles evenly.  I still was going to try to go with the idea of feeding Kitty small meals throughout the day because I just did not feel that she could (or should) eat a whole half a cup of food in one sitting.  But even in measuring the food out to three portions, it still looked like too much to be eating in one portion, especially since I figured I would be adding about a teaspoon of canned food to moisten it all. 

I served Kitty her first “measured and scheduled” meal last night at around 8 PM , and it just looked like too much.  I am not used to giving her that much food at one time. But I figured the professionals knew better.  Kitty ate all her food and went on her merry way.  Then at nine o’clock this morning, guess what happened? 

Again, I feel so bad.  I am not sure whether it was the amount of food I gave her at one time that made her sick, or the fact that I didn’t wean her onto the kibble properly.  Maybe it was both???  Either way, I should’ve followed my instincts, and I should’ve known better.  I should’ve left well enough alone.  There are two sayings that come to mind here:  1) Mother always knows best, and 2) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!