My dog wont eat at home, but will at the vet!?

Question

My dog quit eating over a month ago. They think she got some fungus in her lungs so they took blood to verify. They gave me meds to give her for that in case it's positive. She absolutely WILL NOT eat at home. However, every time we bring her to the vet, they say she's eating fine there. We can't keep her meds down because she wont eat at home and the meds upset her empty stomach. But every time we take her back to the vet, she eats everything they give her. It's not the food, we tried that. I don't understand what her issue is, and why she would eat there but not at home. I'm at wits end. After 3 visits to the vet and over $500, i'm going nuts, I just want her to eat!

Answer 1

Is her food dish clean? maybe change the dish completely. Is the area in which she eats clean? Maybe try changing locations. Have you tried giving her people food to see what she does? I can understand your frustration! I hope she starts eating soon!

Answer 2

That's strange. You said you tried different food, did you try the exact same stuff the vet is feeding her? What about feeding her in a different location. For example, if you usually feed her in the kitchen, maybe try the back yard, or in the car (if she thinks she's going somewhere), down the street or at the end of your driveway, or even just another room in the house. If you can get her to eat in a different place, let her eat there for a while, and then gradually start moving her dish a few feet closer to where you want it to be. They maybe she will be able to eat normally again. It could be that she is associating eating with being sick from the medication, so don't give her the pills in the same place that she is being fed. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 3

I understand you need her to eat in order to give the medication, so you can't really wait very long. To induce her appetite, give her the food in the presence of other dogs. Sometimes dogs eat competitively. Maybe that's why she ate at the vet - there were other dogs there. Another reason she ate at the vet might be that she likes freebies, and vet food was "outside food".

Answer 4

Maybe you could try feeding her in a different location or with a different bowl. maybe she has lost some trust in you because toy are the one giving the medicine. Do you disguise the med in something that really disguise the flavor.I have found the following items good for administering meds, cream cheese, liver sausage, crunchy peanut butter. To make the dog food more appealing have you tried adding a small amount of ground beef or the doggy gravy they sell at Pet-smart or petco? That seems to work well too. I have also been known to feed my dog from a fork. Good luck..

Answer 5

Are they giving her steroids or other medication before they feed her at the vet?

It could also be something as simple as the type of dish he's being fed out of. He may have negative associations with his dishes/eating area at home because that's when he was sick.

Answer 6

I understand your frustration, but it's impossible to conjecture what is different between how you try to feed your dog and how the vet feeds the dog. It could be the type of food, where it's placed, who is around and how close, what has happened just before, etc.

Answer 7

my dog does the same thing. You leave food out for him and he'll eat it. My dog usually eats at the end of the day.

Dogs don't need 3 straight meals like us. Usually depends on their metabolism.

Your dog will eat. If she's hungry she'll eat.

Answer 8

This would be expensive, but maybe just let the vet clinic keep her for a week or so to at least get the medication in her system.

Answer 9

Maybe she feels comfortable at the vet. I would try giving her some rice mixed with beef or chicken ...no dog can resist that...even if its just so she takes her meds.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

Do you eat with the dog ? maybe the dog is feeling left out . try taking the dog for a walk along with other dogs in the park.