Greyhound suddenly off her food

[ShoesJerry]

We have a retired greyhound that has been with us about 9 months. She's five and a half. Always been a good eater, but a slightly delicate stomach. We've tried lots of different foods before finding one that agrees with her, and she's happily eaten this now for several months.

For the last three days, she's suddenly not bothered at all when we put her food in the bowl. Comes to have a look, sniffs, then wanders off. Potters back and forth and eats some but not all.

We are taking it away again after 15 mins, so she is properly hungry for the next meal. We've tried giving her other things and she's her usual hungry self for porridge or fish or a bread crust, but just not interested in dry food.

I'm not sure whether this is just something that dogs go through sometimes, or if we should be concerned and taking her to the vet. She's drinking plenty and her toileting is normal. Only walks on lead, so no opportunity to have eaten something terrible.

She's using her chew toys lots and lets me clean her teeth, so I don't think it's toothache.

I'm quite concerned as it's so out of character, but being quite a new dog owner I don't want to rush to the vet if it's just typical dog behaviour.

A few days previously she had been eating too fast and kind of gagging on her food, so we gave her less at a time. I wonder if she scared herself? She was eating her dinner a bit just now, very slowly, then gagged and gave up.

Any thoughts - I'm not sure whether/when to worry! (Clearly I am already worried!)

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

Do you use a raised feeding bowl/slow feeding bowl?
Tbh, I was going to say so far so normal until you mentioned the gagging. Going off food they previously liked seems to be a Greyhound thing (usually the day after you bulk bought it), and the honking/gagging is something they sometimes do, but the two in combo and I would probably get it checked in case there’s any kind of obstruction.

[ShoesJerry]

Thanks, yes we do use a raised bowl. It's just so odd that she's typically desperate for all other food, but no longer bothered about her own.

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

My greyhound has been on/off all different kinds of foods since we got her (and delicate stomachs are common in ex racers). Sorry to tell you but the only thing that’s been long term successful stomach friendly has been me cooking fresh food for her everyday, the madam . But as I said, on balance, I’d get it checked out to be on the safe side. Also don’t rule out teeth problems, another thing ex racers suffer from, dental issues. Good luck!

[CMOTDibbler]

One of my lurchers is a total snowflake with food. He won't eat dry food on its own, but will randomly go off dry food completely and will then just look sadly at the bowl and walk off - might eat a little bit if cajoled. We just have to change to something else. Tonight is Naturo wet food and Burns pork and potato dry.

[slinkysaluki]

They are fed soaked mushy kibble in kennels, she may prefer wet food you could try that

[slinkysaluki]

Mine always liked tinned sardines

[CMOTDibbler]

My two love a tin of pilchards! The fish oil does them good I think

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

Mine loves a bit of natural yoghurt on her dry food, or a bit of raw mince, tinned fish and those little trays of wet dog food. She sometimes loves dry food sometimes looks as if I’m asking her to eat glass. They are little sods! Greyhounds do the best sad face in the world too.

[ShoesJerry]

Thanks all - might try adding some wet food and go to the vet if that doesn't work!

[Laughterisbest]

A previous greyhoundy lurcher of mine used to go off her dry food but appear fine otherwise and at first I thought she was being picky but in fact it was always the first sign of toothache. She had terrible teeth.

So yes, get her checked if the extras suggested above don't do the trick.

[ImRealHonest]

Mine has done the same in the last week. I’ll get him to the vet to check his teeth, thanks laughter

[slinkysaluki]

Bad teeth is a trait of the breed unfortunately but exacerbated in ex racers because if what they are fed in kennels

[Wishiwasrunning2]

Ours is like this, really fussy with food. Ex racer greyhound.

I've recently started spoon feeding him, which sounds bonkers but he'll eat it if you lift it out of the bowl for him. I think he likes the attention, which is fine with me but my DH thinks it's bonkers.

[ShoesJerry]

Update: after a few more fussy days, she's back to normal and eating the previously shunned food. Just in case anyone is searching for advice in future. I covered her food in yogurt for a couple of days so she would eat it, and now she's back to wolfing it down as normal. Just one of those things I guess. Thanks for all the advice.

[userxx]

Yogurt? That's a new one on me. Maybe she was just a bit off.

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

I also like to give my greyhound porridge oats and goats milk for breakfast, for her bald bum, sardines with tougher for her tea, raw chicken wings for her teeth, I Cooke her liver, mince and other cuts as she only likes chicken wings raw and then forthglade with crave dry food for the other days. She gets really bored on one food. Her poi’s are really good too because of the chicken wings. She’s very very spoilt

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

Tougher should be yoghurt