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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Dog won't eat its food - help!

19 replies

spatchcock · 16/08/2017 07:33

I'm looking after a friend's dog while she's away for a month. It's a lab cross. I'm ten days in.

My friend told me the dog has two bowls of dry food, morning and night. Then admitted that the dog really prefers "people food" and its diet probably isn't the best. It was looking overweight, but active.

I don't eat a lot of meat so I've just been giving the dog dry food and regular chews. However, she's not eating the dry food. I've also been taking her for lots of walks (dog is very happy about this) and she's lost weight over the last two weeks. She looks in good condition - really fit and healthy and active - but she's still not eating much at all, maybe 1/4 of a bowl of food each day.

I tried putting some (homemade) chicken stock in the food to tempt her but no joy. What should I try next? The dog is actually really happy with lots of energy, so I don't think she's suffering but I don't want her to lose too much more weight.

I'm asking here first before I worry my friend on her much-needed holiday.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 16/08/2017 07:37

I make slightly cheesy scrambled egg in the microwave and mix that in with my dogs dried food (very small amount of grated cheese, one egg). Before he used to just sniff at the dry stuff but now he bolts it down. Just remember to let the egg cool Grin

Original poster
spatchcock · 16/08/2017 07:54

Thank you - I will try that!

OP posts:
heavenlypink · 16/08/2017 07:55

My sister's pampered dog would often have scrambled egg in the morning and pasta with tuna later on in the day!

MimsyBorogroves · 16/08/2017 08:04

Eggs or sardines mixed in will often entice them to eat.

But if the dog is eating some, it will be eating enough if you see what I mean. Unless it looks skeletal, I wouldn't worry - being able to feel ribs and looking lean is a good weight guideline.

Veterinari · 16/08/2017 08:12

How big are the bowls? Can you check the packet to see if what you're feeding weight-wise is enough or too much?

It might be that when the owner says 'a bowl' what she means is a couple of handfuls in the bottom of the bowl (not a full bowl iyswim) so the dog is eating fine

heidiwine · 16/08/2017 08:17

I second sardines! I have a very fussy dog. I'm working on training him using high quality treats which means he won't eat his dry food in the hope that something better comes along i drizzle a tiny bit of oil from the sardine can onto his dry food and he scoffed it with gusto.
That said, if a dog is really hungry I reckon it will eat.

MarcoPoloCX · 16/08/2017 08:20

A bit of tough love?
No healthy dog will starve itself.
Once I had three day patience game with my dog.

Original poster
spatchcock · 16/08/2017 08:41

The scrambled egg worked - thank you @BiteyShark!

I think you're right, Marco. And if it was my dog I would be employing tough love. But as it's my friend's much-loved pet I am not going down that road unless really necessary. I would be panicking after three days!

Before this it was literally eating about a metric cup of biscuits each day, and going on three hours' worth of walks.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 16/08/2017 11:09

Glad it helped OP. I feed mine a good quality kibble but he always turned his nose up at it until the scrambled egg was added. I have read that it's often because kibble doesn't smell of much on its own.

usainbolt · 16/08/2017 12:06

How much kibble in grams are you giving the dog each day?

If a metric cup is about 300 grams and the dog is average lab size so about 25-35 kg if feeding a good kibble the recommended daily amount is about 300grams.

If the dog is active happy energetic I would not worry!

GeorgeTheHamster · 16/08/2017 22:57

The tiniest amount of finely grated Parmesan is enough to get my dogs to eat all their kibble if I think they need a bit of encouragement.

Original poster
spatchcock · 17/08/2017 09:03

Dog won't touch the kibble with eggs today. Confused

She hasn't eaten anything in 24 hours. The weight loss is really evident now, I've had to tighten her harness straps twice. You can just see her ribs now and she looks very healthy. But I don't want her to lose anymore.

Will go out and buy some sardines. Anything else? I don't think she likes cheese. God what a fussy dog.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 17/08/2017 09:11

Wow a dog that doesn't like cheese, I though they all did Grin

Original poster
spatchcock · 17/08/2017 10:15

I know, right?! Strange dog.

OP posts:
Therealslimshady1 · 17/08/2017 10:19

My dog is a fussy princess

I am careful not to spoil her, but add a few tidbits of my own food to make hers more interesting.

Also think your friend has been economical with the truth, and the dog may be used to eating spag bol and tuna mayo Wink, leaving you to wean her back onto kibble (the same way parents tell their nannies the kids are allowed no screen time Grin)

GrumpyGoose · 17/08/2017 10:32

My dog can't resist a bit of boiled chicken and rice if that's worth a try

NiceCuppaTeaAndASitDown · 17/08/2017 11:07

I have a lab cross and she can't resist goats yoghurt! Try putting some of that on top and I'm sure the food will vanish.

She's not good with cows though, it does terrible things to her stomach

ButFirstTea · 17/08/2017 11:12

Maybe try a raw chicken wing? Relatively easy for a dog to eat even if they aren't used to raw feeding, and really good for their teeth too!

Original poster
spatchcock · 17/08/2017 11:37

"Also think your friend has been economical with the truth, and the dog may be used to eating spag bol and tuna mayo"

I think you're right! From its sad expression when it eyes its bowl of kibble it clearly is used to finer things.

I'll try some of your suggestions, thank you.

OP posts:
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