Dog Not Eating

by carol hobbs
(oshawa ontario canada)

I have a year and a half year old shi-poo. She was bottle feed as a pup as her mother didnt have any milk. I got her at 9 weeks old and she was a fussy eater right from the start.She doesnt like dog food but at least I could get some into her but now she doesnt want to eat dog food or people food. My friend tried the recipe that you have for small breeds and she ate it the one day and then didnt want to eat it again after that. I dont know what to do for her. We go to the park every day with 2 other dogs and she will eat the dog biscuits. If I give her the same biscuits at home she will not eat them. Any ideas of what i can do for her. thanks carol

My Comment:

Hi Carol

Yes - it can be a challenge with these small dogs.

First its important to find out if the weight is stable. She might not be that big a eater, but if the weight is stable, its much better compared if she is loosing weight.

My first impression reading you mail what that she might need competition. If she is eating in the company of other dogs she gets competition.

But, does she really need the food or is she just eating no matter how full she is when other dogs are around?

Well, you should be aware of possible diseases as well.

Tonsilitis can give a bad smell and decrease the appetite. Ofter dogs tend to sip water quite frequent and they are more or less tied.

Vomiting and diarrhea or other stomach and digestion diseases can also make her eat less.

You probably are aware about this - and I assume she is normal and healthy.

What to do then.

My advice is first to be the leader for her. This is not only in feeding situations but you should look in the mirror and ask your self " How often does she make decisions and how often do I decide...."

It is important that you are the leader and she know that.

Why!

It is so easy to create a situation where she feels she decide what to eat - she feels she is "on top" and therefore easy giver what ever food you serve "thumbs down"

Then try to feed her every other day. Small dog don't need that much food and especially if you give dog biscuits beside.

You should not beg her to eat - she should ask you for food, but might not be every day!

Therefore the weight is important. If she is loosing weight (not being overweight from the beginning) you should be concerned if she not eating.

If the weight is constant and she is happy, every thing is probably OK. Then you just have to find out how often you should feed her. Try, as a test every other day.

Show her the food leave it for 15-20 min. and remove it again.....and no snacks or biscuits in between.

Then you can adjust the intervals as needed later

Hope it all gets better

Per Schonbeck