[Floyd]

The past few days Floyd has been very stubborn at eating his meals. At first I thought he was getting bored with his food, since he would gobble down any treats he got. So I changed his food and he ate it at first, but is now turning his nose up at it again. I put his food in another bowl and moved it into the living room... that worked last night, but now he's not eating again.

Pretty much any other dog I wouldn't be so worried, but he tends to get sick if he doesn't eat. Anyone have an idea? Like I said, he'll still try to get our food and take any treats given to him... in fact, he's not acting any different at all except for not eating.

Edited to add: he will eventually eat... didn't want anyone to think he's starving! He just keeps waiting so long and ends up getting sick.

 

[Betsy Iole]

First thing to do is to make sure there's not a medical reason for his pickiness--no teeth, gum or other issues.

If he's medically sound, then, you have to make a decision--do you want to spend your life buying new food to tempt him, and throwing it out as soon he tires of it?

I'd suggest picking a good quality dry feed and supplementing with a spoonful or two of good canned food, if you wish. Then you can wait him out. Put the dish down for 15-20 minutes, pick it up, and then he gets nothing until the next meal time. (Depending on their age, my are fed 2-3 times daily).

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

I would also stop giving him treats. Let him go hungry for a day. I had to do this to Rusty. He was set on not eating so I waited him out. He too would throw up the yellow bile from having an empty belly. I knew medically he was fine, so I was more stubborn than him. He went almost 3 days before he finally ate. Now, he eats great! I also did the 30 minute idea. Put it down, make sure he sees it, walk away, in 30 minutes pick it up until the next meal time. Healthy dogs won't starve themselves. They will eat eventually!

 

[Lightning&Stomps]

I'm having the same problem with Stomps. Hundreds of dollars worth of vet visits revealed that there doesn't appear to be anything physically wrong with him. He doesn't snack and is being bribed with Mighty Dog (mixed with good dry food) at vet's suggestion, and he still eats just enough to stay alive. He's always been skinny, so he can't afford to lose weight. Plus he's older, so I worry about cancer, etc. I'm very worried but hoping it's the heat. I don't know where you live, Floyd, but given that the entire country has had terrible heat this summer, maybe that's the problem.

 

[Floyd]

I'm beginning to think it's more around him not wanting us to leave in the morning. He never really took to his crate... once he's in there, he's fine; but getting him there is a whole other issue. We've tried making his crate fun with toys and things, but he really hates it. I'm thinking of trying to buy one of the airline-type ones (the one we have is a hand-me-down cage-type) to see if he likes that better.

Anyway, now that I've derailed my own thread :roll: ,in the evenings he's usually pretty good about eating. In the mornings he tends to sulk as he sees my fiance and I get ready for work. At any rate, we have a vet visit scheduled for Friday to rule out any medical issues.

 

[Mikey T]

All so make sure the food has not spoiled. In hot humid condition even dry food can mold. Often an overlooked cause of dogs refusal to eat a food that they once consumed.

 

[Elmer-n-Button]

Elmer tends to be my picky eater. He goes along fine for months, then all of a sudden, he won't eat his breakfast. I have tried all of the usual, treat dipped in peanut butter plunged down into his food, etc. I have not changed the food, though. I found out long ago with my cat that if you keep switching, they will "wait and see if somthing better" is offered. I feed them Hills Science Diet small bites, with just a hint of warm water. (Yes, I know this is not suggested) When I was feeding the larger bites, they tended to throw it up whole. Our vet told us that most dogs don't chew anyway, and that they swallow it whole. :shock:

Elmer hasn't been interested in his breakfast for the past three mornings, so we will just wait it out. He always eats well in the pm, and so I give him a bit extra then.

 

[woebgon]

As Betsy mentioned, rule out a medical reason before you do anything else. When a dog suddenly stops eating it can be a sign of many medical problems, some that can be very serious.

 

[joanr]

Maybe he's just not a breakfast person? Could he be eatting his fill at night? Maybe it is a small amount but maybe he also snacks on treats? Happy never over eats his dog food, if he skips a meal no one here puts up a fuss. See what his vet thinks befor you start to worry to much about it.
With the crate maybe one specail treat that he only gets when he goes in his crate, something extra yummy.
Joan