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Dogs that doesn’t eat
Hi.
I have some dogs who doesn’t eat their meals. The adopters have tried various different types of food but the dogs just doesn’t eat. The adopters had to force feed the meals. Even then it’s taking awhile to feed by staffing the food bit by by into the dogs mouth.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
Patrick
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6 Replies
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Hello Patrick.
The first question is, has the dog been checked by a veternarian?
Your detailed observations of the lack of eating would be very helpful and specifically what is the environmental surroundings?
What kind of food and when is food offered?
What is the dogs behavior before. During or after meals.
Does the dog have regular bowel movements?
Drinking water?
These are things at a minimum a Vet would want to know.
(No response required)
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Thanks for this contribution, @Achtung
These are great questions to consider, @Pkoh .
I am also wondering – do you mean multiple dogs that have been adopted to the same home or multiple dogs that have gone to different homes? Is there something in common with these dogs – did they all come from the same original place, for example (like a hoarding case)? Did they eat in the shelter?Not eating can have many factors, including the stress of changing environments.
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Hi.
Actually these dogs were from the same shelter being adopted out to different families. They are all rescued street dogs
Sam – Was rescued with her 2 other siblings in a drain of a construction site. They were about 3 months when rescued.
All 3 seems very skittish and fearful around people even now after about 2 years.
In the shelter, they wouldn’t eat by themselves unless there’s no body in the shelter. But due to the space constraints in the shelter, plus it’s an open shelter with 10+ other dogs, we had to feed by hand. Mostly force feeding them.
So Sam has been adopted about 2 or 3 months already and she’s still the same. According to the adopters they have tried all kinds of dog food including some raw meat but still had to force feed.
Dazzler – Rescued by the same shelter when she was about 2 years old and recently adopted about 2 months. Now she’s about 3 years old. She does eat at home on her own but not outside. Skittish and fearful outside. Hence doesn’t take treats outside.
Buddy – Rescued when he was about 3 years old by the same shelter. Now he’s about 6 years old and adopted since last year. At the shelter he eats on his own most of the time. In the new home he doesn’t eat on his own unless nobody is around. Owners tried all kinds of food but no success. Now they had to force feed him. He’ll stay at a corner in the apartment away from the adopters.
Apologies if the above is not clear.
Thank you
Regards,
Patrick
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I feel this. I have been having the hardest time with my rescue and eating for the last year+. She is high energy, nervous and was a street dog from PR. We finally got her eating instinct raw frozen and instinct kibble but not always on her own. She is very distracted and only eats a bite or two at a time but also wont eat alone in a quiet undistracted space.
I’ve found that “find it,” tossing treats, or training with treats gets her motivated to eat. The Kong Wobbler has worker wonders after wet food and mixed with small bits of treats. Puzzles work sometimes too but better if a soft treat is crumbled over the kibble. We had to start with small amounts of kibble in it at first. The wet frozen raw nuggets we toss and then she will eat some on her own. We tried frozen wet food pupsicles at one point but she lost interest quickly. Its been a hard year and I think weve tried exactly every single food and method. She liked each new food for maybe 4 or 5 days before she lost interest in eating again. Sometimes the wet food smeared in a liki bowl works. In the end we use whatever works on that given day and I am glad to say she is finally eating well and regularly (after 1 year 4 mo of trials). She is a super active dog and even more active now that she eats well.
What I’ve gathered from talking to trainers and vets is that there is no ultimate solution except what works for that dog. I’ve been told if they are hungry they will eat (and not to worry unless the vet says to) and that some graze small amounts all day and some eat late at night (which seemed to be more her mode). Its been suggested to me to take the bowl away if she isnt eating but that didnt increase her interest.
Basically what works for her is anything that feels like shes digging out of a dumpster and/or exciting play & train prior to being offered food. People food is also problematic and shifts her appetite. She did have to have a few courses of antibiotic when she first arrived.
It has taken her a long time to relax and become accustomed to being belly filled instead of starving and thin like the day we took her home. She gobbled boring kibble the first time we fed her. I think she was used to and comfortable with being hungry and having to scavenge (a guess).
Wishing you success & I hope someone here has workable advice for you!
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*she was rescued at 3.5 – 4mo
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Basically what works for her is anything that feels like shes digging out of a dumpster and/or exciting play & train prior to being offered food. – Lisa Deo
I love how you are really seeing and meeting the dog’s needs, here, Lisa – reminds me of exactly what Emily and Allie were talking about in the Enrichment chat last week. Well done.
There’s a concept called “contra-freeloading”. Basically, it means that dogs prefer to WORK for their food, rather than have it for free. I think this is an especially important concept for dogs who come from feral lines. These dogs are not the same as fluffy pet dogs. Not by a longshot. Great discussion.
@Pkoh Check out this other conversation on sniffing for some ideas on food delivery.
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