I want to give up

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

We rescued a collie almost 6 years ago. He has always been a finicky eater. In those 6 years I think we have tried just about every brand of dog food. He doesn't seem to be thrilled about any of them. There are days he refuses to eat anything and most of the time he only eats a portion of his food. We give him a combination of 4 different foods. One portion dry food, two portions wet food (two different brands) and fresh cooked chicken breast.

The past few weeks it seemed like every other day he was not eating. We would put liverwurst, fresh salmon, whatever meat we had for lunch and dinner. He still did not touch his food. I even took him to the Vet. His blood workup was fine and the Vet thought he was fine too. So the other day we ordered different food (one brand Merrick, he reluctantly ate before) and one brand we have not tried (Canidae).

I swear as soon as we hit the submit button for the order, the dog has been eating every bit of whatever we are feeding him.!?!?!?!?! I don't understand this dog at all. I would sit on the floor and try and feed him. He would stand up and walk away like I was feeding him something horrible. And now he acts like he likes the food that we have been trying to feed him the past few months. And of course we did not order his old food because we ended up throwing it out most of the time.

I don't get it.

m0rgan · ‎09-30-2012

Just enjoy the fact that he is eating.

Mesmerized169 · ‎03-09-2010

@drizzellla - one thing I will suggest looking further into that most people may not think to research into further, is to closely examine and maybe even do an xray on the dog's jaw/teeth (check that they don't have an infection, a cavity, a break in the enamal, etc). Reason I mention this is because my parents had adopted an older dog who apeared to be an extremely fussy eater and some days wouldn't eat at all (your rescription of your dog sounded very similar to their experience, so reason why I'm mentioning this for whatever it's worth). Then it got to the point where the dog appeared totally disinterested in food altogether and for days on end would not eat. She also appeared depressed or sickly. I don't know who figured out the teeth problem, but someone found out that their dog had a bad infection/cavity in one rear tooth, and when she had that tooth pulled, she did a 180 turnaround shortly thereafter and suddenly became a happier dog and one who ate a lot afterwards too! Good luck with your pups!

Love my grandkids · ‎11-24-2013

PLEASE get his mouth and teeth thoroughly checked.

I knew someone whose cat started doing this. Turned out the poor kitty needed some bad, really bad, teeth pulled. Once that was done, all was well!!!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@drizzellla. I, too, was going to suggest a tooth problem. If he starts acting finicky again, I'd have his teeth x-rayed. I have one that goes through spells when she doesnt want to eat. I give her a couple tablespoons of plain yogurt on her food and she dives in. With the price of premium dog food being what it is, I'm not throwing it away.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

@Mesmerized169 wrote:
@drizzellla - one thing I will suggest looking further into that most people may not think to research into further, is to closely examine and maybe even do an xray on the dog's jaw/teeth (check that they don't have an infection, a cavity, a break in the enamal, etc). Reason I mention this is because my parents had adopted an older dog who apeared to be an extremely fussy eater and some days wouldn't eat at all (your rescription of your dog sounded very similar to their experience, so reason why I'm mentioning this for whatever it's worth). Then it got to the point where the dog appeared totally disinterested in food altogether and for days on end would not eat. She also appeared depressed or sickly. I don't know who figured out the teeth problem, but someone found out that their dog had a bad infection/cavity in one rear tooth, and when she had that tooth pulled, she did a 180 turnaround shortly thereafter and suddenly became a happier dog and one who ate a lot afterwards too! Good luck with your pups!

You are so right!

Before we got him he must have been kept in a cage. He tried to chew his way out. He doesn't have all his teeth and his jaw is worn down in a spot where he tried to get out of the cage. His front teeth are worn down to the gum.

We had been giving him puppy dry food. The Vet recommended it because the kibble is smaller and softer. But I think we threw out 3/4 of the bag. It didn't matter the brand. We ordered senior food this time. The Canidae has small kibble. So that is why I picked it.

That is why we give him alot of wet food. But he still won't eat the wet food. But his favorite treat is sweet potato with dried duck wrapped around it. It is a tough chew but he likes it.

The Vet looks at his teeth each visit. But next visit I will stress that the Vet pay extra attention to the back teeth.

He also had many health issues. So we were always hiding pills in his food. He would pick out the pills, bite into the capsule and drop the broken capsule on the floor. So I think that was another reason he would not eat.

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

How are your dog's teeth? Sometimes, they appear fine on the surface, but abscesses can form under the gums and can cause pain?

Any possible tummy, digestive problems? Could the dog have swallowed something that won't pass through the digestive tract? Is there some sort of food allergy causing digestive upset? Any vomiting at all. Is the stool normal in consistency and appearance?

But, I guess you know when you change dogs' food, do it slowly mixing it with the old food a little at a time until the new is 100%. Changing it too quickly can cause stomach upsets. This could add to an existing problem.

When there were no medical issues, I always thought, when they get hungry enough, they will eat. If you keep changing the food the dog may hold out for something better.

Unless, you want to feed your dog people food all the time, don't give the dog any, but understand why you did. They may snub their noses at dog food that has all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Exception...for digestive problems, rice and chicken, then adding vegetables, peas, carrots, pumpkin, is often recommended temporarily. Had you thought of trying that with a little chicken broth?

Of course, it's not normal a dog doesn't want to eat, but there are several things you can try. I also would suggest a different vet. This one doesn't appear to be giving you suggestions you can try.

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

@drizzellla wrote:
@Mesmerized169 wrote:
@drizzellla - one thing I will suggest looking further into that most people may not think to research into further, is to closely examine and maybe even do an xray on the dog's jaw/teeth (check that they don't have an infection, a cavity, a break in the enamal, etc). Reason I mention this is because my parents had adopted an older dog who apeared to be an extremely fussy eater and some days wouldn't eat at all (your rescription of your dog sounded very similar to their experience, so reason why I'm mentioning this for whatever it's worth). Then it got to the point where the dog appeared totally disinterested in food altogether and for days on end would not eat. She also appeared depressed or sickly. I don't know who figured out the teeth problem, but someone found out that their dog had a bad infection/cavity in one rear tooth, and when she had that tooth pulled, she did a 180 turnaround shortly thereafter and suddenly became a happier dog and one who ate a lot afterwards too! Good luck with your pups!
You are so right!

Before we got him he must have been kept in a cage. He tried to chew his way out. He doesn't have all his teeth and his jaw is worn down in a spot where he tried to get out of the cage. His front teeth are worn down to the gum.

We had been giving him puppy dry food. The Vet recommended it because the kibble is smaller and softer. But I think we threw out 3/4 of the bag. It didn't matter the brand. We ordered senior food this time. The Canidae has small kibble. So that is why I picked it.

That is why we give him alot of wet food. But he still won't eat the wet food. But his favorite treat is sweet potato with dried duck wrapped around it. It is a tough chew but he likes it.

The Vet looks at his teeth each visit. But next visit I will stress that the Vet pay extra attention to the back teeth.

He also had many health issues. So we were always hiding pills in his food. He would pick out the pills, bite into the capsule and drop the broken capsule on the floor. So I think that was another reason he would not eat.

@drizzellla

Could his health issues be the problem? What about side effects from the medications? Tummy upsets?

I had the same issues with a dog taking medication. I ground them up into a powder and put them in watered down applesauce and used a large dropper to put on his tongue or you could ask the vet if they come in liquid form.

Still, I'd have his teeth checked for abscesses under the gums. Maybe he needs an xray to see what's going on.

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

@Foxxee wrote:
How are your dog's teeth? Sometimes, they appear fine on the surface, but abscesses can form under the gums and can cause pain?

Any possible tummy, digestive problems? Could the dog have swallowed something that won't pass through the digestive tract? Is there some sort of food allergy causing digestive upset? Any vomiting at all. Is the stool normal in consistency and appearance?

But, I guess you know when you change dogs' food, do it slowly mixing it with the old food a little at a time until the new is 100%. Changing it too quickly can cause stomach upsets. This could add to an existing problem.

When there were no medical issues, I always thought, when they get hungry enough, they will eat. If you keep changing the food the dog may hold out for something better.

Unless, you want to feed your dog people food all the time, don't give the dog any, but understand why you did. They may snub their noses at dog food that has all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Exception...for digestive problems, rice and chicken, then adding vegetables, peas, carrots, pumpkin, is often recommended temporarily. Had you thought of trying that with a little chicken broth?

Of course, it's not normal a dog doesn't want to eat, but there are several things you can try. I also would suggest a different vet. This one doesn't appear to be giving you suggestions you can try.

Foxxee

His teeth are a mess. He goes to the Vet at least 4 times a year and the Vet always checks his teeth. There isn't much we can do to help him. He is missing teeth, has worn down part of his jaw and his front teeth are worn down to the gum.

He has been seen by numerous Vets. There are 6 in the practice we presently go to. And there were 8 in his previous Vet's practice.

He has always had a sensitive stomach. The first few years we had him, I used my Hoover Spot cleaner alot. But he was on many medications.

We found that many of our "human" foods don't agree with his tummy. We try not to give him any "human" food but many times that is the only thing that that draws him to his bowl. That is why we give him fresh chicken - it is a starter. Or should I say we hoped it was a starter.

He used to live on fresh chicken and rice. While he was going through his tummy trouble stage.

We still have about 10 pounds of his old dry food so the transition will be slow. And all the wet food will stay the same. We would only change one type of food at a time.

Thank you for the suggestions.

Twoaces · ‎05-02-2011

Many good suggestions! A couple of other thoughts: could there be any jaw pain related to previous tooth loss? And, there are meds that can help to stimulate canine appetite.. I would ask your vet about these possibilities, just to cover all your bases. Best wishes as I know how frustrating this can be!