At what point to worry that dog isn't eating (how much, terrier, poop) - Dogs - - City-Data Forum

DawnMTL · 04-03-2009, 06:18 PM

Soooo, Artie LOVES the Wellness Core to which I recently switched him. And that's why I was SOOOO surprised last night when he didn't eat all the food that was in his bowl. OK, I figured, he got too many treats today and he's full. No problem.

Well, this morning, he didn't touch his food. I gave him fresh food for dinner -- same deal; he didn't go near it. Finally, way late for him, he ate some of it. Maybe half.

He's his normal self -- playing with the neighbor's puppies; watching my every move lest we be going out; playing ball with me; pretty interested in what I'M eating; lying on me like he's a lap dog -- except that the pooch won't eat.

At what point should I be concerned? (I'm a bit -- OK, a lot -- of a worry-wart about my boy, so I need some guidance. My husband thinks I'm nuts.)

At what point would YOU be concerned?

Thanks,
Dawn

sdweisman · 04-03-2009, 06:21 PM

i wouldn't worry. they will eat when they are hungry. and you're not a worry wart. you're a good mommy and you care about your pup. i wish everyone were that way. if he doesn't eat for a few days, and starts to act differently, then i would call my vet and see if he needs to go in. but for now, just keep on enjoying him and i'm sure he's going to eat again soon.

DawnMTL · 04-03-2009, 06:30 PM

sdweisman -- Thanks for making me feel less anxious. He's chewing on a toy now. I'm asking him to eat his food rather than his toy. My husband is asking me why I sound like a mental patient (and he's a psychologist, I should add). Oy vey, what a day. Anyway, thanks again for calming me down. Hopefully he'll eat tomorrow and I can laugh at my nutsiness.

warren65 · 04-03-2009, 06:32 PM

i have 7 dogs and they all have their own issues. and not eating is not one of them but it my be he just might not like the food you gave him or his has a up set stomach. does he eat a lot of grass? if yes then yes he has a up set stomach and he will be just fine in a week or try changing his food that my work

DawnMTL · 04-03-2009, 06:41 PM

warren65 -- I just switched him to Wellness Core a week or so ago and he LOVES the stuff. That's why this "diet" is so bizarre. But interesting about the grass... We were out in the backyard this morning, shortly after breakfast should have been eaten, and he was eating some grass. He usually eats grass and pukes right after. This time, though, he didn't vomit. He kept grazing. I know that some dogs eat grass to make themselves vomit if their tummies are acting wonky -- I just don't know if my dog is smart enough to do that, or dumb enough to eat the grass anyway. I'll keep an eye on him and his grass eating habits, though.

leorah · 04-03-2009, 06:42 PM

I agree with SD. If the dog is acting normally in all other ways and drinking water, I would not worry. When this happens to one of mine, I just pick up the food and put it down again at the next mealtime.

Woof Woof Woof! · 04-03-2009, 07:05 PM

Tomorrow morning offer him some fried eggs and bacon with coffee and see what happens.

FiveHorses · 04-03-2009, 10:45 PM

Artie,

OIY! What do you think you're playing at?! Not eating?

Ack, man - do you realise She Indoors is growing those white hairs? No, you didn't realise? Shame, old man, shame.

What's that you say? Oh... I see. You're just not hungry? Food tank is topped off nicely then is it? What? Oh, you feel the new food is richer - well that's because your intestines are processing it so much more smoothly, isn't it? Glad to hear you've gotten rid of the previous problem.

You stay full for longer too? Umm - must be good stuff you're getting. Who's your dealer?!

Happy but not hungry, is that it old boy? I see. Okey dokey.

Well lookit here, young man; here's what you need to do. Ask Herself Indoors to cut your meals in half or less for the time being. I know, I know... such a mountain of food can be off-putting, eh? Me too. Then she can go back to see just how much of this new wonderous food it takes to keep you in fine fettle, no? Yeah, I think so too.

Well if you want her only to give you as much as you want to eat, please Artie, have a heart. She's not a mind reader. I mean, couldn't you just have TOLD her?!

Sheeesh. No consideration for others sometimes. I don't know what's happened to the youth of today.

(I go through it regularly with one of my dogs. If he's drinking and he's happy and in fine form, I ignore it. My own dog... it comes and goes. A big 85 lbs dog can live on maybe a cupful of food for quite some time. Once he's eaten it all in a sitting as he should, I add a bit more the next time, and so on and so forth until we go back to full meals for a bit and then back to square one when he just doesn't want his food. I've not found a rhyme or reason, but... mine is not to reason why!

)

gussie · 04-03-2009, 10:50 PM

I never or rarely get worried if they miss a meal.. But I just pamper them and worry if it goes on more then one day.. I always worry about bloat in the bigger dogs.....I recently adopted a rat terrier from save a pet.. she was living in the woods in the Smokey Mountain Area and has a sensitive stomach.. so I watch her very close and limit the table scraps....Feed them Purina Pro Plan and Evo

MAK802 · 04-03-2009, 11:34 PM

The more I read your posts the more I think we are somehow related! First the poop stories, now this. Sometimes PC won't eat his food, so I will put some cheese, treats, yougurt, etc. in there to entice him and sit on the floor with him while he eats. My husband thinks I'm crazy as well.