Advice with not eating please

[Franksmum01]

Hi all any advice would be welcome.....Frank is slightly off his food.

He had been on the grain free food Applaws which he loved but sadly didn't agree with him out the other end....sloppy poos all the time, so thinking it was too rich for him and on advice we have tried james wellbeloved. He loved this initially and his poos are so much better firm easy to pick up but since Monday he has shown no interest in his food......he has eaten other things sausages, treats bits and bobs. He shows no signs of being poorly still up to naughty teenage tricks, running around the garden loves his walks drinking well but not anymore than usual.

I put tuna in his food this morning thinking he would woof it down but he just was not interested. Off we went to school as usual he did poo fine waited about an hour or so and tried him again this time the only way I could get him to eat it was hand feeding him and he ate almost all of it but he won't do it himself.....I left him to finish it off but he just walked away until I hand fed him the rest.

I know I shouldn't do it but I am so worried about his eating.....do you think he knows that and is trying it on?

Will a tastier dry food help I must admit the wellbeloved smells vile.....and if so which one? I have been thinking of Acana but am worried that will also be too rich for him.

Thanks all

 

[Anthony99]

I would keep him grain free.....add a tad of ground beef to his food maybe.

 

[Jeannie]

IMO you are doing this all wrong. From experience I have learned that they learn quickly that if they hold out they get goodies. I'd try this for a few days. In the morning put the food down and show it to him. 15 minutes later pick it up. NO treats or goodies at all. Of course keep water available at all times. At the time of the next meal do the same. Put the food down, 15 minutes later pick up what is not eaten. He can go as long as 7 days without eating and not cause health issues. Believe me that is true. I've talked to my vet many times about how long a dog can survive not eating. Usually they will eat within a few days. As long as you are offering food they will not let themselves starve. Do not give any treats or goodies until he eats.

 

[Franksmum01]

Thanks Jeannie

Will do....now I know there is no harm for up to 7 days I will be strict with him. No treats whatsoever. I may well try acana anyhow as I really like the look of it and the independent reviews are so good. Thanks guys

 

[littlerosieuk]

I agree with Jeannie. Take away the food he had not eaten and then nothing until the next meal. They soon learn.
Fish 4 dogs is a good food if you are in the uk.

 

[Puppypeoplenj]

He can go as long as 7 days without eating and not cause health issues. Believe me that is true. I've talked to my vet many times about how long a dog can survive not eating. Usually they will eat within a few days. As long as you are offering food they will not let themselves starve. Do not give any treats or goodies until he eats.

Is this true even with a young puppy?

 

[Franksmum01]

Thanks all, success......Frank has got his appertite back with gusto woofed his diner down although it did have sardines in it so maybe fish 4 dogs could be the way forward. I have looked at their website and seems very good......I have never fed non large breed food as I like the glucoscermine littlerosie do you add a supplement?

 

[wrknnwf]

How old is he? It's not unusual for a young (around 7 mo) old to go off his food for a while. Don't worry. Dogs will eat when they are hungry unless they are sick.

 

[Franksmum01]

He is 13 months, ate breakfast again today so think he was just being a fuss pot testing mum to see if he got richer pickings (which he did) next time I am prepared for this sneaky Newf even with the please mum super cute face he makes.

 

[chumleysma]

When was his stool last checked for ova and parasites? I would get it checked if not done recently.

 

[nelson ireland]

Hi I have my 6 month old on James wellbeloved have you tried to wet the food a little to help bring out the taste

 

[Franksmum01]

Hi all chumleysma the vets don't routinely do that over here, I have checked his poop for any signs and nothing I can see he is on advocate monthly but will take him and ask them to check if things don't improve. Nelson I haven't tried to wet it yet but will give it a try I normally give it a min in the microwave to help bring out the smell. He has been fine for a few days but this morning is refusing his breakfast.....he is fine though happily stealing the throw for the sofa not to mention umpteen teddies off the kids beds so I think he is just being fussy....I will not pander to him today he will have nothing until tea time no treats.