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Rescue dog not eating

8 replies

Mitzi50 · 13/07/2014 20:13

We collected our new dog from a local rescue centre yesterday. She is a female staffie cross about 1-2 years old. She is underweight and during her vet check could not be spayed as she is having a false pregnancy (they have given us a spaying voucher). She had been at another rescue centre for a week before being sent to this local centre (presumably because we are rural) after a few days she came home with us - so she's had a lot of upheaval.

She has settled in with our other dog and is generally lively - she went for a long walk today and plays with our dog in the garden. However, she has not eaten in more than 24 hours - I have fed her a wet and dry food mix as instructed by the kennel. I am feeding her in a separate room to my other dog. On the 3 occasions I have tried to feed her, she has run away as soon as she sees me holding the bowl and has not even gone near it (so its not as if she doesn't like the food). This evening she ran and hid in some bushes and it took me half an hour to get her back in. She is gentle, sweet and affectionate the rest of the time although nervous if someone enters the room. I have e mailed the rescue who suggested just wet food for the time being (no luck) and she has a vet's appointment tomorrow evening.

Any other suggestions?

OP posts:
twentyten · 13/07/2014 20:40

Is it the bowl that puts her off? Will she eat from your hand? Cheese?

CMOTDibbler · 13/07/2014 20:43

I'd try a plate, or even putting the food on some newspaper - sounds like she has a really bad connection going on with the bowl Sad

One of my rescue cats took years before you could go near him with a newspaper. He'd obviously been hit with one as only that and stepping over him made him cower

Mitzi50 · 13/07/2014 20:59

Thank you both - it does appear to be the bowl. I have just hand fed her the mix. She only eaten about half of what she should but at least she has eaten something. I am now worrying whether or not she has drunk anything as obviously the water is in a bowl.

OP posts:
twentyten · 13/07/2014 21:04

Try a saucer or tray?

CMOTDibbler · 13/07/2014 21:33

How about leaving some water in a bucket?

Mitzi50 · 13/07/2014 21:44

I've put some water in a plastic lunch box. She doesn't seem interested so hopefully has been drinking from a bucket that's in the garden.

OP posts:
SpicyPear · 13/07/2014 22:44

Bless her. I was going to suggest ditching the bowl and I'm glad that has worked to some extent.

Please don't panic. My female staffie mix batch didn't eat much at all for a fortnight and lost more weight from her skinny frame. They are generally sensitive little souls. I was distraught, but it was just the stress and upheaval. We inadvertently made it worse by fussing and changing things - food etc. At this early stage I would say back right off. It's counter-intuitive from a human perspective as we want to "do something" but a stressed and nervous new dog is best given a bit of time and space to settle. Give it a good few days of a nice routine and giving her space. It often takes that long for stress hormones to leave the system and for them to regain their appetite.

LEMmingaround · 13/07/2014 22:50

Poor dog :( but now she has you so she'll be ok x

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