why does my border collie not eat he is in good health no sign of illness.if he does eat its very little .?

Question

my dog has never been sick.no upset tummy.full of life.always playing. so why will he not eat very much.

Answer 1

Why don't you ring a vet and find out.

Answer 2

I have a cross collie / german shephard (he's definately more of a collie though!)

He came from a rescue centre following some bad treatment as a pup. When we first got him, he used to wolf his food down, which I understand is kennel mentality but as he became more and more at home and less frightened, he is eating less and less.

We've had him for just over a year now and he only eats if really encouraged (sometimes we'll put some cheese or chicken on his food) and it's like he suddenly remembers to eat!

He's always playing and full of energy, has a very healthy shiny coat, bright eyes and good teeth so I don't worry. Have seen a few other answers from collie owners with the same kinda thing so I really wouldn't worry as long as he's healty in himself.....maybe it's just a collie thing! :o) x

Answer 3

I have a border-collie too. I found out that he wasn't eating because he had 'kennel-cough' which is a kind of 'flu.He doesn't have to have been IN a kennel to catch it, that's just the name it goes by, because it was originally discovered in a kennels, years ago! This makes their throat very sore, which makes it very difficult to swallow.
So, if your collie does have any kind of cough/sneezing, then do take him to the vet a.s.a.p., as it is very,very contagious. Also keep your collie away from other dogs,'cause they too will catch it. Your vet will put him on antibiotics, which will clear-up the problem. Also, he may be suffering from indigestion, which the vet can help with. Is he eating any grass at all? That is a sign of an upset stomach. Like I say... regardless,...
Take your dog to the vets for both your sakes. OK?

Good Luck to you both, but I am sure everyting will turn out well again.

Kindest regards from 'tottie-for-lol' ( and "Benji") who also is very hyper-active whether he is well or ill!!

if you like... you can let me know how you get on by E-mailing me
[e-mail]

Cheers!!

Answer 4

I also have a Border Collie and she doesn't eat very much at one time either. I used to feed my dogs twice a day, but when my other dog would scarf down his food then head for hers and she didn't have a chance to eat, I decided to try leaving their bowls full all day and it's worked like a charm. She's put on enough weight and she is eating, but not a lot. I think it may be the breed.

Answer 5

One of my biggest dogs eats the least. Each dog regulates to their own metabolism. As long as he is healthy and at a healthy weight don't worry about it. You know americas kids are so overweight because some parent said they don't eat enough and kept feed their kids more and more till that was the norm and their bodies couldn't regulate all the calories. Don't make an overweight border collie. With all the hair they usually look fat anyway.

Answer 6

Something wrong if a BC is off its food; they are usually ready and willing to eat anything thats not nailed down, so I would take your dog to the vet. It may be a blocked intestine or bowel, or several other things, and its better to take him early than too late!!

Answer 7

I HAVE BORDER COLLIES AND THEY NEED LOADS OF EXERCISE AND STIMULATION, FEED ONLY ONCE A DAY, IF HE DOSENT EAT PICK IT UP. GET HIM CHECKED OUT AT THE VETS FIRST THIS WILL NOCK ONE OFF THE LIST, ASK YOURSELF IS HE BORED? IS HE LEFT ALONE ALOT? IS HE ALLOWED TO SOCIALISE? TRY RUNNING HIM WITH ANOTHER DOG FOR MORE EXERCISE, I WALK MINE BETWEEN 8 AND 15 MILES A DAY, DOES HE HAVE TOYS? DO YOU PLAY WITH HIM AND HIS TOYS? IS HE SHUT IN TOO LONG? BORDER COLLIES NEED LOTS OF STIMULATION THEY HAVE TO BURN LOTS OF ENERGY BEFORE THEY EAT AND THEY SHOULD EAT VERY WELL BARE IN MIND FEED ACCORDING TO WHAT EXERCISE AND WORK HES DONE FOR THAT DAY TRY WALKING WITH ANOTHER DOG, MAKE THEIR WALKS ENJOYABLE THROW A BALL ON A ROPE THEY GO FURTHER, TAKE HIM SWIMMING TWO DOGS IF PETS WILL BURN UP MORE ENERGY TOGETHER FAR MORE THAN YOU OR I CAN EVER DO IN SUCH A SHORT TIME, TRY LEARNING AGILITY, OR FLYBALL MAKE HIS WALKS MORE FUN, SO HE BURNS UP MORE ENERGY AND HE SHOULD EAT UP BETTER ONLY FEED ONCE A DAY.

Answer 8

It could be normal for him; its more usual for dogs to be gluttons but they're not all like that!
Or he may just be a picky eater; he may eat better put in a room on his own rather than in a busy kitchen.
If he's in good health and active, don't worry.

Answer 9

hi, sounds like my dog, if he has tried your food he wont want his own an he ll only pick at it, other than that you might have to try all diffrent brands of dog food an biscuits for him if he likes it you ll know what to feed him with hope this helps as my dog is exact same very fussy :)

Answer 10

If this is new, check him for worms: Dogs sometimes won't show symptoms until the problem is very bad indeed.

Or is he getting snacks elsewhere?

Answer 11

Try a different dog food. He probably hates what you are buying