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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

My dog won't eat anything!

17 replies

TitsalinaBumSquash · 30/10/2018 13:04

I have an 18 month old chihuahua, I cannot find any food he is willing to eat.
He came from the breeder with a complete dried food that he was used to, but he never ate it here, I've tried wet food (gravy/pate and the Chubb roll type) and various dry brands but none of them he will happily walk over to and eat a meal of.
He will gladly take tidbits from humans and will hover under the table if the kids drop food.
He's really slim and I can see all his bones, especially his back end. I'm not sure what to do. I can take him to the vet but I don't know how they can make him eat.
We've stopped all treats (apart from when training) but to no avail.
I'm worried he'll get unwell from being so skinny.

OP posts:

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mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 30/10/2018 13:14

I would take him to the vet's. They can see if there is any medical problem causing this and advise you properly re what/how much to feed him. Perhaps he has a gastrointestinal problem (or teeth problem)?

TitsalinaBumSquash · 30/10/2018 13:53

His teeth look good and there's not smell or staining. He does go to the toilet normally from the very small amount her does eat. I will take him though just for piece of mind about his weight.

OP posts:

BrownOwlknowsbest · 30/10/2018 16:10

The amount of food a dog that small needs is tiny anyway especially if it is dry. Will he eat if you make a game of it? Hide his food for him to find, or maybe drop some of it under the table with the kids tidbits?

adaline · 30/10/2018 17:42

Could you make his food more interesting? My dog went off kibble for a while, probably because he was just fed up of eating a bowl of biscuits twice a day!

We now use things like snuffle mats, lick-e mats, kongs, and stuffed antlers to feed him. We also scatter feed him his kibble sometimes. It makes him work for his food and he finds it much more interesting now!

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 30/10/2018 18:22

I second what @adaline says - I've watched my dog ignore a bowl of food but get quite excited about a food puzzle toy that he has to work on.

Honey2468 · 30/10/2018 19:14

Chihuahua’s are the worst for this. I took ours to the pet shop with us and they let him try some things to see what he liked (loved the little trays with oily fish or the pedigree with beef and veg and pasta) they really don’t need much though but I know how stressful this is

mummyeme · 30/10/2018 19:32

Have you tried encore or high life? It's the only food my fussy shih tzu will eat. It comes in pouches or small tins and is flaked chicken breast with veg or with rice and veg (different to some of the tinned dog foods). We've tried everything from Lily's kitchen to raw and this is the most popular by far.

mummyeme · 30/10/2018 19:35

Oh and she loves oily fish (especially sardines)
Good luck.

QOD · 30/10/2018 19:35

I have a tiny fussy chi too. We hand feed her her kibble. We try to make her eat the days worth in the evening as she’ll not eat until then
Once a week I do her a bit of fish and hand feed that too
We have so many dog foods scattered around and she’s happy to just not eat
We have the chi dry food that the vet recommended and measure out the small portion every morning
She will eat if the cat comes in or if we pretend to ...

caringcarer · 30/10/2018 19:40

Try tuna steaks. The strong smell attract them. If he is pooing normally each day then he is getting food go through him but if not get him to the vets. Also try pouches with fish in jelly.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 30/10/2018 20:18

Well it's reassuring to know it's a chihuahua thing. He will happily eat out of peoples hands and will do tricks for days to get treats. (little sod!)
I will try the ones mentioned and start feeding him via games.

Does anyone know how much a male Chi his age should weight off hand?

OP posts:

QOD · 30/10/2018 21:07

Mine is 1 yr old and weighs 3.4kg
My friends is 10 weeks and he weighs 2.5kg and inhales food. He’s actually 1/8 jack so I guess that’s a strong gene!!
Apparently the perfect show standard adult chi should be 2.5kg

QOD · 30/10/2018 21:08

But look at that faccccceeee

My dog won't eat anything!

Floralnomad · 31/10/2018 08:48

Have you tried adding grated cheese to his kibble ?

TitsalinaBumSquash · 31/10/2018 12:01

Here he is! I will weigh him tonight. I haven't tried adding cheese to kibble but he does eat cheese.

My dog won't eat anything!

OP posts:

QOD · 31/10/2018 15:30

He’s gorgeous !

caringcarer · 31/10/2018 16:10

Also try warming his food. Little dogs can be a bit fussy. He looks healthy to me though.

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