Worried about anorexic dog

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My MILs dog is staying with us while she's in hospital. He's a tiny cavochon mix, one of those little white fluffy dogs, abut 18 months old. He was barely trained & terribly spoiled by MIL, his entire day was pretty much sitting on her lap or sleeping on her bed.

I'm really struggling to get him to eat. I honestly don't think he's eaten since yesterday morning. I had to hand feed him some chicken & he may have scrounged a chicken nugget. I have tried a few brands of dog food, wet and dry, and he leaves them all. He seemed to like tinned fish previously but not anymore.

I know he's an anxious little soul & our house is completely different to MIL's, busy with teen boys and a cat who outweighs him & is out for blood What can I do to help him? I've never encountered a dog like him, I'm more used to working breeds -I've had springers & a Labrador! He was never a big eater but it's gotten really bad.

I'm not at all certain that MIL will be coming home, and I'm trying to get DH & BIL to agree that he needs to be rehomed, but they can't face it & think she'll get home again.

This is him with his nemesis & teen shoe pile

Oh he gorgeous!! I would just give him human food if that is what he likes. My similar breed loves chicken, pancakes, cat food!

We have a similar breed, very fussy. Chicken, ham (but not too cold from the fridge) peeled chicken nuggets (doesn't like the crispy outer) steak, sausage. Butchers! Funnily enough. I know she's spoilt etc but it all gets very tiring, she's still alive at 10 🐾

oh isn't he beautiful- i assume you have got as much info as possible from your MIL as possible on likes dislikes etc, i had a friend whos mum took a little dog in from a shelter and he was traumatised wouldn't eat much at all , she found he ate best when she was with him but was only person in room, she had another elderly dog but he wouldn't eat when that dog was about, even if asleep in her cage, she used to feed him in a space behind a couch he seemed to need a den, maybe that's all you can do for minute try get him to understand where his feeding spot is, mostly she would give him rice, chicken and fish oil - not sure if that was what he liked especially, or she was trying to feed him up and when she got him his coat was in bad condition

Some dogs get very stressed in a new environment and won’t eat. If he’ll eat chicken I’d see if he’ll do boiled chicken and rice for now?

If he's stressed, he won't eat no matter what you try and tempt him with.

What does he normally eat? I would give him that and leave him alone somewhere quiet and peaceful to eat for an hour.

Warm up the food you're offering.

I've previously offered pate, corned beef, chicken nuggets, sausages, cheese, tuna - anything that smells good to them, especially if warm.

The look on his face...and the look on the cats face! Hilarious but poor doggy.

Thanks everyone. I've tried everything... even cooked some nuggets for him this evening as he'd eaten one of my sons. He's definitely stressed in our house what with the roughhousing teen boys and the cat who seems to be stalking the poor mite. He's used to quiet and constant company. I hate that he's so anxious 😕

Anyway I'll have to be the bad guy again & look for a more suitable home for him. A friend works in a rescue & she said she'll keep an eye out for the right owner. I can keep him here as long as possible.

Dvt could give ddog advice on how to get spoiled in your house...

Sorry, don't understand?

Dcat looks well fed!. Not fat shaming your dcat.. He is gorgeous!

He's not fat! Just fluffy... I'm so fond of him but he's a terror.

The cinnamon Trust can help if you need to find somewhere else for him to stay while your MIL is in hospital. Don't seek to rehome him until you know for certain she won't be coming home.

How long has he been with you? If it's just been a couple of nights I'd give him a bit longer. Get into a routine with him - quiet time just you & him in a room on your own. Ask your boys to be quieter out of respect for an anxious animal.
Classical musical helps calms dogs.

Feliway will help calm cat so she's less provoked by him.

Have you got a jumper of your mother in laws? Something that smells of her which he can snuggle up to

Butchers tinned food is very smelly appealing to fussy dogs so he might go for that, but tbh I'd probably just give him human food from my plate throughout the day. He is possibly more used to a slice of hot buttered toast in the morning, a biscuit for his elevenses, etc ....
He might also appreciate a cosy 'den' being made for him in the corner of a bedroom so he can keep himself out of the way but gradually get used to the usual house noise.
Is he sociable? Would a teenager be bribed into cuddling him whilst gaming / chilling out in their room? He might be missing his cuddles on the sofa and being a velcro dog.

I would give him some quiet 1 on 1 time with you and a familiar scent, give hime time to adjust and lots of fuss. Poor thing, his whole world has turned upside down.

A den would probably be great for him but he is definitely a Velcro dog. He wants physical contact always & I just can't do that, I'm busy. I'll try to create a cosy nook for him xx

How about a den with a teddy and a blanket or some of your mil's clothes so it feels familiar?

When my fog had lymphoma he was off his food.He would eat corned beef and bits of chicken

Try adding a topping to his food like a bit of cheese or natural yoghurt. I have a similar breed and he's very fussy.

He looks gorgeous and so like my velcro dog, what a shame for him.