Not eating

[Nicola Reilly]

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Hi my 10 month old shih Tzu has not been eating lately he used to eat kibble but went of it so we tried another one which he eat for a wee while but then he stopped eating that so we were advised to try wet food which he was ok with for a couple of weeks but now he has stopped eating that i don't know what to feed him now anyone else had this issue?

 

[Caro Perry]

Is he OK in himself? I'm sure dogs get bored with their food eating the same thing. Harri started to get picky around 8/9 months.

We ring the changes constantly here - his diet is based around Butternut Box wet food which comes in 4 different flavours but for lunch 3 or 4 days a week he gets raw chicken wings. He gets the occasional meal of kibble if we are going to be out.

Presentation also helps. I used to stuff the BB in a pink plastic snake from B&M. It was much more delicious than the same food in the bowl. Same with the kibble - tastes much nicer from one of those treat dispensing balls. I've used marmite gravy, plain yoghurt and grated cheese on top of his food too.

 

[Flobo]

Have you had him checked over by vet, just incase?

 

[Nicola Reilly]

Have you had him checked over by vet, just incase?

Yeah we had him checked over couple of weeks ago when he was lethargic and just wanting to sleep all the time

 

[Nicola Reilly]

Is he OK in himself? I'm sure dogs get bored with their food eating the same thing. Harri started to get picky around 8/9 months.

We ring the changes constantly here - his diet is based around Butternut Box wet food which comes in 4 different flavours but for lunch 3 or 4 days a week he gets raw chicken wings. He gets the occasional meal of kibble if we are going to be out.

Presentation also helps. I used to stuff the BB in a pink plastic snake from B&M. It was much more delicious than the same food in the bowl. Same with the kibble - tastes much nicer from one of those treat dispensing balls. I've used marmite gravy, plain yoghurt and grated cheese on top of his food too.

I have tried putting stuff on his good like you say cheese etc but he just eats that and leaves the rest. I gave him corned beef yesterday normally gone in seconds still in the bowl

 

[JudyN]

What checks did the vet do? Is he (the dog, not the vet!) losing weight? If you're not sure, I'd start monitoring it.

If he's lethargic and turning down corned beef I'd be concerned about his health. If you can rule out health problems it's possible he's holding out till he gets something better whatever he's given and a bit of tough love might be needed. But only if you know that he's generally happy with the food. Butternut Box would be well worth checking out.

 

[merlina]

I think there may be an underlying health problem- it's unusual for a young dog to refuse food. What can your vet suggest re nutrition? (I know at the moment getting him to eat anything is better than nothing but be careful of corned beef- way too salty.)I'd really press the point with your vet. Is he drinking? Bone broth- just boil bones in pure water for half an hour and offer the cooled liquid- can keep a dog hydrated at least.

 

[Nicola Reilly]

I think there may be an underlying health problem- it's unusual for a young dog to refuse food. What can your vet suggest re nutrition? (I know at the moment getting him to eat anything is better than nothing but be careful of corned beef- way too salty.)I'd really press the point with your vet. Is he drinking? Bone broth- just boil bones in pure water for half an hour and offer the cooled liquid- can keep a dog hydrated at least.

He does drink but not a huge amount only about one bowl full a day

 

[Caro Perry]

If he's lethargic and turning down corned beef I'd be concerned about his health.

Indeed - something as high value as this is rarely refused. When Harri as at his sickest the only way I could get him to eat anything at all was to sit on the floor with him and hand feed him pieces of warm boiled chicken. Have you tried hand feeding?

 

[Nicola Reilly]

Yes sometimes takes it or just sniffs it at it walks away

 

[merlina]

If he were mine I'd ask my vet if it was time to do blood and urine tests. A puppy that's not eating well cannot grow and develop normally- so it's probably worth trying to get to the bottom of what's going on.