Discerning Palate

I am still so happy about the switch we made last year to the Oxbow pellets. Clovie, well, still not so happy. I compromise by mixing in a heaping tablespoon of his old favorite brand. One of these days I am going to run out and then what?  Heaven forbid he should be deprived. I'll probably buy some more.

He gets so darned excited for his pellets! He'll run around my feet as I'm filling his bowl then stop to bite the toe of my left shoe twice as if to hurry me up. Amidst his crazy eights, I slide my feet over to the rug where I feed him so I don't step on him and set his bowl down.

He dives in and his little head circles the bowl until he finds a piece of the old brand. I don't know how he knows the difference. Discerning palate I guess.  The same palate that leaves one little wilted piece of lettuce on the plate because it's a little too far gone.

Oxbow Pellets

I had a couple of readers suggest Oxbow pellets to help with the cecotrope issues Clovis was having.  I had cut back considerably on fruit and greens with limited success and had resigned myself to accepting things the way they were. It wasn't bad, just worrisome.  I hadn't seen Oxbow in our local pet stores so I ordered online hoping for the best.

Oxbow suggested I gradually add their pellets so I started with one part Oxbow and three parts current brand which is Purina. The Oxbow pellets were a bit larger and greener. I carefully measured them out and fed to Clovis.

We did not relish the Oxbow pellets! Discouraging! He will eat them but they are the last to go. I'm up to 3 parts Oxbow and 1 part Purina now. I feel a little mean taking away something he loves so much but I'm hoping that once he is completely on the Oxbow it won't really matter to him.

Did this solve the cecotrope problem?  Yes! I would say this is a successful solution.  I've been sneaking in more fruit here and there - a consolation of sorts to Clovis for having to give up a favorite. Thank you, dear readers, for your suggestion!