Is it normal for a puppy not wanting to eat after three days of getting him? I mean I took him to the vet the day after I bought him and his weight was fine he said everything was fine, I am feeding him Purina Pro Plan but he smells it then walks away from it. Then all of a sudden his stool has become loose and changed in color...is it the food? My Vet said to give him a syringe full of light pancake syrup (for blood sugar) I did twice but then stopped giving it to him to see if that was making his stool loose but I have not noticed a change since...Should I wait for his appointment next week (July 28th) or should I take him immediately? I need Help its my first puppy!
2006-07-19 04:53:22 · 24 answers · asked by laguera4rmks 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It is Proplan small breed for puppies. Also just in case he is a Shiahpoo (shitzu&poodle) 2 months old
2006-07-19 05:03:00 · update #1
He has been eating but just very small portions and not three times a day like the vet advised.
2006-07-19 05:05:53 · update #2
I am the proud mother of two lab dogs. Right now they are 16 months and 6 months old. When I first brought home my oldest she didn't want to have anything to do with food and I was really worried. Turns out she wasn't interested in the food I got and I have to play around with different types until I found one she liked. If your vet says that your puppy is healthy then you could just have a picky eater. I tried Iams, Purina and finally ended up with Dick Van Pattens' Natural Dog food. Both my dog love it and it is really good for them. Also, don't be alarmed about the loose stool because that is normal with change. The stool may be loose and sometimes have a little blood in it which is totally normal. The puppy is just getting use to it's new environment and will be fine. The time to be concern is when the puppy starts throwing up a lot and just doesn't seem like it is feeling well. I also make sure to be on the save side and call the vet just in case. Good luck!!
2006-07-19 05:04:14 · answer #1 · answered by Cookie 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the vet for your peace of mind, just in case, but it probably is the food, as long as he is still drinking. Find out what the breeder was feeding, and try that. It sounds like he is not finding the food palatable. Personally, I disagree with the answerer who said Purina was a good brand. I wouldn't touch Puppy Chow with a ten foot pole, but Pro Plan is better than other supermarket brands. Loose stools are often a result of not eating much. Try the breeders brand, and if that doesn't get him eating, see if you can get into the vets sooner.
2006-07-19 05:03:20 · answer #2 · answered by Bartmooby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs can be very picky eaters. Since you just got him he may be sad or confused about where he is. Most puppies have loose stool for a while anyway. Our dog didnt like the food we got him. We tried feeding him by hand which worked for a while. We changed food and he ate it right up. We tried that gravy for dogs...they liked that. Something to make it smell better.
I would just watch him close and make him feel at home. Make sure he at least drinks water and is playing. If he is drinking water then he is probably ok for a while. When he is hungry he will eat. If it seems to get serious like he isnt drinking water or just lays around all the time then maybe take him in before your appointment.
Also, sometimes when our dogs get shots, they dont do much of anything specially when they are puppies, those are strong shots.
Good luck!
2006-07-19 05:02:21 · answer #3 · answered by Ember B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you need to take him in as soon as possible. While it is normal for brand new puppies to not eat well the first few days, loose stool is not a good thing. Keep giving him the pancake syrup if that's what your vet advised, but get him in soon. I don't think it is the food. Purina is a good brand. Make sure he's been getting his shots and stuff. Good luck
2006-07-19 04:58:50 · answer #4 · answered by puppyraiser8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is too long to go without food. Make an appointment for today, and bring in a fresh sample of his stool in a plastic baggie for them to test for parasites, bacteria, and parvo (a disease). The change of food and stress from a new home may have made him sick, and since he's just a pup, he can go downhill fast. A pup with diarrhea and/or vomitting for more than 1 day is at risk for dehydration, so don't feel like you are just being a "paranoid mom". It is much better to have him treated right away than to wait too long and feel terrible! You should tell the breeder also, in case it is something the littermates or parents could have. The breeder can also tell you what they feed so you can get that food for your pup.
2006-07-19 05:02:43 · answer #5 · answered by Emily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he may not have been properly weaned or else he may be having a reaction to the dog food. Is it puppy chow, or regular dog food? Because puppies do really need puppy chow.
Whatever it is, take him to the vet. Puppies should NOT go hungry for so long, and a week from now could be too late.
2006-07-19 05:00:05 · answer #6 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try adding some water or chicken broth to his food, or try some boiled chicken and rice, the syrup probably did cause his diarrhea, being removed from his mom definetely caused some upset, they say a dog wont starve itself if food of any kind is available, Has he has shots yet, they can also make dogs/puppies sick.
If it continues a few more days i would call the vet and ask advice or if you can come in early.
2006-07-19 05:00:33 · answer #7 · answered by debra_har 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you're feeding him dry dog food try wetting it with some water and maybe heating it up a bit in the microwave to make it easier for him to chew. You could also try putting a little bit of chicken brooth over it to make it more appealing. Or make it into a game and working on training with the treats being his dog food. If you're feeding him alot of other scraps or treats throughout the day then the dog has no reason to eat the dog food you put out for him....GOOD LUCK puppies are so much fun!
2006-07-19 04:59:56 · answer #8 · answered by boiler4ever2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a puppy, and you have taken it away from everything it has ever known. its called stress. I would call the breeder where you got him from and ask what type of food they were feeding it. If that doesnt work, I would get some canned puppy food, and put a couple of teaspoons of that in with his puppy chow. and to keep his electrolights up give him vanilla ice cream. i would keep my appointment with the vet even if he starts eating again, just to make sure everything is ok. good luck.
2006-07-19 05:18:48 · answer #9 · answered by venus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it isn't normal I just feed my puppy purina puppy chow & mix it with canned food sometimes they don't like the smell when I mix the 2 together I put his nose in it & he starts to eat.I never heard what your vet told you to do.How old is your puppy??
I raise my dogs & puppies & sell them I never have no problem.
I guess cause I've been doing it for years.Good Luck
2006-07-19 05:00:58 · answer #10 · answered by sugarbdp1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋