My dog hasn't eaten in 3 days?

Question

Her prev. owners did not take care of her well. She has been happy the past 3 months..put on some weight. Its cold out so we've lined her doghouse with cedar chips and have been discussing bringing her in (we have cats, so we are a littel worried) But shes not eating. It doesn't look like shes been drinking much either. She wimpers & barks like always in the morning when I'm leaving, but I don't hear her as much barking in the yard with the neighbors dogs..but maybe im just use to it. Shes excited when we go to feed her. She plays with us but still wont eat. we change her food every day, hoping she will. I don't believe she has had any shots. We decided to wait and get her adjusted here before we took her to the vet. We had a rabis scare a few weeks ago when my boyfriend was attacked by a bat on our front stoop. I'm really scared. I love this dog and I don't want to lose her or put my animals at risk. Is there anything else this could be? Is there a way to treat her without losing her

She is a beautiful brownish red mutt. about 3 yrs old. No puppies, outdoor her whole life, in a fence (terrified of leaving the yard) No puppies that I know of. Lab sized. Her name is Sadie.

Aw..we fed her some steak..and then some dog food today..she was just being finicky..probably tired of eating all the health food we've been buying her...I do think its about time to get her shots though..

Answer 1

Maybe she doesn't like her food. It might be worth giving a new food or special treat a try...

Since she isn't showing any other signs of being sick, ie. she's playful and excited, you probably don't need to be too concerned unless she starts losing a lot of weight. Definitely get her shots done asap, though - it's important.

Answer 2

Her former owners, if they were neglectful, may have fed her table food/scraps. She was happy to eat her dog food when you first got her, because it was a change. Depending on what time of area you live in, she may have just gotten sick. No cause for alarm YET. It has only been three days. My great dane didn't eat for almost a week. She was just sick. Dogs get sick just like humans. I do suggest giving her oatmeal. Why? Even with just a few bites, it will fill her up quicker, it has nutrients that most people take for granted, it will strengthen her immune system, and of course, it will warm her up. This sudden change of weather we've had may have just jarred her system. Now, don't give her just plain oatmeal. Mix a cup of oatmeal with her normal serving amount of dogfood. If she doesn't like the oatmeal, try small curd cottage cheese. Do the same (mix it with her food). The mixing does two things: it gives their food that they may not eat more flavor, and it helps for a smooth transition to just straight dog food. Remember, dogs will eat until they are too full and lay down (to rest), or until it's gone. Follow the recommended amount on the label of dog food. As for the rabies theory, she would have drove you insane with barking by the second day. Don't worry. You can get pet medications anywhere pet supplies are sold. If she hasn't eaten anything at all in a week, take her to the vet. If she has eaten a bit, or nibbled, she is just sick (like a cold) and she'll be fine. Keep her warm (best thing to use is hay or straw, but be warey; outdoor dogs with natural insulators such as wood or straw will attract spiders, possibly poisonous) Your best bet is to bring her inside. She's an outdoor dog and she's used to seeing cats, and cats will hold their own, no matter what.
So, keep her warm, and mix her food with a cup of oatmeal or cottage cheese. Hope I helped!

Answer 3

There could be any number of reasons why she has stopped eating, I know you said that you've changed her food everyday but have you tried her favorite food, mine love chicken, Salmon, cheese and Frankfurt sausages. Personally though I would ring vetfone - a company that is run 24/7 by qualified vet nurses that cover all of England. Their number is 09065 00 55 00. I hope that she is OK and its just a bug that she's got and nothing serious. As for the bat, very few bats in this country have a rabies type virus, but it isn't the same type of rabies virus that is in the film "Cujo" (dog with rabies film). Hope this helps

Answer 4

How much time to you actually spend with the dog? Dogs are emotional too. They can get sad. The dog may have been used to eating human food. I hope you've got it on a premium dog food and keep it eating only dog food. I also would feed it some food in the morning and some food at night. If you are unsure about shots, go to the vet now!

Answer 5

Please take her to the vet to get checked out. There are so many things it could be, and there are several viruses that she could have picked not being vaccinated. There are also other things that can cause these changes such as infection of some kind which in turn can cause fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. She may also have eaten something in the yard that she shouldnt have which could also cause some real problems. There is only one way to find out for sure and it is far more important to get her to the vet than to let her adjust. Good luck! Its great that you took her in and are going to give her a chance to be a part of your family.

Answer 6

First off, are you sure that the neighbors aren't feeding her? Maybe kids or someone? Sounds like she has energy when you go out to feed her. Do you spend time with her? Take her for walks, play with her? Maybe she is lonely and depressed. If she is sick you should feed her a mixture of cooked rice and cooked hamburger, no grease or ground lamb. You can buy it in cans at the store. My little hound dog has a sensitive stomach, if she eats something in the woods or "people food" she gets ill and I have to do that for her. Again if the dog is not ill you may have someone feeding her, or she just plain out misses you and needs more attention, dogs can be funny like that

Answer 7

It could be lots of things. She could be depressed and need attention. Cedar chips can cause illness in some animals. You may want to change to pine. Cats for example, will get sick around cedar and for them...even Pinesol is bad. Maybe your dog is having a reaction to the cedar oil? I'd have her checked just to be sure there's nothing going on though. I'm pretty sure you could teach her to tolerate the cats, but at 3 years old...I'm not so sure housebreaking would be easy. Good luck with her!

Answer 8

I know you may be scared but you seriously need to get Sadie to a vet ASAP. I nearly lost my dog to parvo virus, 95 % fatal, but she pulled through. It could be heaps of things, like poisoning, (which my dog also had a brush with) a bowel blockage etc. But don't delay in taking her to the vet, time is crucial and it may just be something simple. Wishing you and Sadie the best!!

Answer 9

When this happened to one of my dogs it was an intestinal blockage. She's still hungry but can't eat b/c it won't digest. She had to have surgery to repair.
I don't believe any animal should be left outside during the winter. Maybe you can separate the animals. (Dog in the basement perhaps?) Cedar chips are not enough.
Please get her to a vet.

Answer 10

well i had the same problem with my rat terrier maybe is maybe because its cooled well take her to the vet that your best bet... maybe she wants to come in you say that you have cats well you need to bring them together and let the dog smell first i have a female pit bull besides our rat terrier and she thought that she was the queen of the house and that their was no way that another dog our animal could come in our home well as soon as i introduce them she is fine with it at a time we had a fancy female rat and a cockatoos and the rat terrier and now we all live one big happy family but you need to teach them to get along trust me is easy with cats its the same thing you need to let the cat get use to the dog... but everything well work out for the vet so take your dog to the vet and maybe its nothing but just to be in the safe said ....