Can't Figure This Out

luvdoodles · ‎06-19-2010

For the past few days our bichon won't eat out of his bowl. He backs away when he sees it, but if I feed him by hand, he eats all of it. What could be the problem. It's a combo of wet and dry which he has been eating for years. I know when he is hungry, he let's me know. I just don't get it.

Sammycat1 · ‎03-09-2010

We had a dog who had this problem -- turned out to be a problem with his cervical (neck) spine...a bad disc that pinched a nerve. When he lowered his head to eat from his bowl, it hurt too much -- so he backed away. When we fed him directly, where he didn't have to lower his head, he was fine.

For the short term, try elevating his bowl so that he doesn't have to lower his head too much. And it's probably a good idea to get him looked at to confirm what the specific problem is.

luvdoodles · ‎06-19-2010

On 11/4/2014 Sammycat1 said:
We had a dog who had this problem -- turned out to be a problem with his cervical (neck) spine...a bad disc that pinched a nerve. When he lowered his head to eat from his bowl, it hurt too much -- so he backed away. When we fed him directly, where he didn't have to lower his head, he was fine.

For the short term, try elevating his bowl so that he doesn't have to lower his head too much. And it's probably a good idea to get him looked at to confirm what the specific problem is.

Maybe that is the problem. I will try elevating it today and see if it makes a difference.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

My gosh does that ever make sense. Glad you posted. No problem here with that, but I wouldn't have thought of that! At least not right away!

Sammycat1 · ‎03-09-2010

Even if the bowl elevation works, I wanted to urge you again, though, to get to your vet. Ours explained to us that many things can cause that pain, from a spine problem to a benign cyst in the neck creating painful pressure, etc. You have to be sure of what's causing it so your bichon isn't in pain and it doesn't get worse with other activities.

Best wishes for you and your pup!!

OnlyShopsOnline · ‎03-09-2010

I agree that you need to get your dog checked out by the vet. I have learned, over the years, that the simplest little "oddities" that our pets develop can really indicate that something is just not right.

A few years ago, our older cat had become more playful than usual. My husband thought it was cute that she was acting like a kitten again. But, it wasn't "normal." We took her to the vet and she was hyperthyroid. Now I watch her, and if she becomes overly active, I know it's time for her medication to be increased.

"I've been here since October 2006. Wow!"

luvmyteddy4 · ‎09-04-2010

They always say you should have their food and water bowls lifted up off the floor to the right level. It's better for them eating and swallowing the food.

I must have had the laziest GS because she would lay down on her stomach to eat her food, which of course was on my bed. All my other dogs stood up to eat or at least sat down, not this one. She wasn't lazy otherwise. She didn't lay down to pee, thank goodness.