A friend of mine has a Chihuahua/terrier? mix who is a poor eater.
I suggested trying a higher protein food, but the dog starts having stomach problems any time she tries to switch, even slowly. He is pretty skinny right now. He actually started becoming more picky and losing weight when her other dog passed away so we thought he might be depressed but it's been a long time now so we're not sure. His health checks out ok.
He eats scheduled meals, she has to pick his food up as soon as he's done because her cat will finish it and then throw up. :/

Hmm, what kind of foods is he eating now? Canned or dry? If he's eating dry, maybe a spoonful or two of a similar canned food would help him want to eat it more. Winnie has to have that. Sometimes warming up the canned food also helps tempt them. Before Winnie was allergic to dairy, we'd use a little parmesan cheese. Easy to do and wasn't enough to upset his tummy. Sometimes he needs some treats added to his to help eat too. He has to eat within a small time frame because they have to be separated so its helped for him to figure out to get the eating over with. Bacon bits are another favorite - again just a few for taste.

If he's eating dry they could throw a little beef or chicken broth on it to entice him. Just make sure it's low/no sodium.

I forgot to add, he's also a senior dog and he has some bladder control problems.
He's eating 'Newman's Own' dry food.

I think she's tried putting some treats in the food and he will pick them out and then leave the food.

You said his health checks out, did they check his teeth well? Chi's can have horrible teeth. What about soaking his food in low sodium broth like Lori suggested? Soaked enough so that it's soft and can be crushed so he can't lap up the broth and not his food?

That's a good question. I'll ask her if she's had his teeth checked lately.

I know our senior (13) when they (have a pack of 5) were on kibble for him I would soak his kibble in a bit of warm water for a good 5 mins before feeding to make it easier on his teeth.


When I fed kibble I would also mix in a bit of wet food & water, stir & serve.

Try soaking in warm water & add a pinch of garlic powder.

Yes when I had a senior dog b4, I would soak the kibble in water to make it easier to digest and eat.

My present dog is on raw. It's supposed to be better for allergies/sensitive stomachs. I don't know if your friend is willing to try.

Ok I asked her about his teeth, she said he was at the vet a month ago and they said his teeth were fine.

I'd suggest asking her butcher for some nice marrow bones with a bit of meat on them then making her own nice healthy broth for him. A bit of that over his kibble with some tiny bits of that rich marrow might just encourage his appetite. I don't know many dogs that can resist homemade beef broth with flecks of juicy bone marrow in it. For such a small dog she could easily make up a batch and freeze it in portions to last for a couple of weeks or a month at a time (using a icecube tray works great for that). Just a second to microwave it to melt and warm it slightly, a moment to soak into his kibble and I bet the little old fella would love that.