New dog won't eat, help!?

Question

We adopted a very sweet and HUGE dog yesterday. He is 6 years old and a mix of Golden Retreiver, Lab, and Chow. He weighs about 120 lbs. or better and is the sweetest dog I have ever met in my life. I love him dearly already but we are having a problem with him eating. He absolutely refuses to eat! I am worried about him. I have adopted animals before and never had this problem. I'm not sure what to do. I have tried different types of food, including the food he is used to and pieces of hot dog. Nothing. He's acting normal otherwise just refusing to eat. What can I do? I know this is a hard adjustment for him as he is used to his old owner - we adopted him from a lady who could no longer care for him and was facing taking him to the shelter - but the last thing that I want is him ending up sick from not eating. How do I coax him to eat? He has to be hungry! Here's a picture of him with me and my son - blurred faces for privacy. Thanks for any suggestions and serious answers only please

Here's his picture:
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/463697

Answer 1

He is gorgeous!!

Don't give in. Stick to dog food and do not give him people food. Rescue dogs go through a lot before they get to their forever homes. I have had fosters go for three and four days without eating. Give him time and just ignore the fact he isn't eating right now. There are too many other new things for him to digest so let him get comfy and he will eat. If he starts having diarhea or vomiting than you will want to check with the vet. Don't worry yet. He is six and he was with her for a while I presume so let him adjust.

Answer 2

He may be depressed. He's been with this woman all his life and he's suddenly take away. My golden retriever did the same thing when my roommate moved out and took her best friend (her dog) with her. Summer (my golden) was left w/o a friend and had stopped eating.

It takes time. Put him on a schedule feeding. Put the food down for 10-15 minutes then pick it back up whether he eats or not. When you put the food down put some hot water on it, and put it in the microwave for a bit. It brings out the aroma making it more alluring. Or use beef or chicken broth. It's all natural.

Don't put any canned food or anything like that in it, he may come to expect it and wont' eat on purpose holding out for the canned food. It's a bad habit to have him develop.

Give him some time and love. He'll adjust to you and your home and will not be so sad anymore.

If it continues do develop I'd talk to your vet. Watch for a drastic weight loss or if he stops playing etc.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

You have to realize that this is a 6 year old dog who's in a place he doesn't know with people he doesn't know. He needs time to get comfortable, to start to feel safe. Don't worry. Give him some time to adjust and he'll eat when he wants to. This is not a good time to be changing his food - give him what he's used to. You don't need to add diarrhea and upset stomach to his problems.

You could try adding a little cottage cheese (lo-fat) or no-sugar, no-fat yogurt (which is good for digestion) to his food to encourage him to eat. He won't get sick if he doesn't eat for a couple of days. Why not also try hand-feeding him just 1 or 2 milk bones?

Answer 4

Don't worry. He's just stressed. If he doesn't start eating in 2-3 days, then you may need to swing him by the vet to have him looked at. Dogs will commonly not eat when environments change--so moving families is definitely something that may cause him to stress out. From the looks of him, his is good condition and is in no way in fear of under nutrition. He's got plenty of "meat on his bones" to keep him healthy for a few days. Good luck and many years of happiness with Leo the Gentle Lion.

Answer 5

He is probably stressed from being separated from his old owner. Keep him on his old food, and if you know it, his old feeding schedule. Offer him food on his regular schedule and if he doesn't eat it after 10 minutes or so, pick it up and try again at the next regular time. In the meantime, give him lots of loving and support to help him settle into his new home. He will be Ok not eating for a few days. However, after 3 or more days, I might consult with a vet. He may need medication to help with the stress of the change in owners and surroundings.

Answer 6

Wow! he is huge but I'm sure that if you show him plenty of love and affection that he will soon be okay with being in his new home and start eating again. If he hasn't started eating by the end of the week call your vet and find out what you can do, explaining to him what all you've tried already. Congrats and good luck with your new family member.

Answer 7

Make him some meatballs with chicken or lamb and rice. Feed them to him out of your hand.

I don't know what is wrong with him but I have a couple picky eaters who sometimes need to get jump started this way.

I think the poor thing is missing his old owner.

Make sure he is keeping hydrated. You probably already have a new dog vet appointment set up, ask the vet what to do if he still isn't eating by then.

PS Great looking dog, he will get hungry pretty soon. Pining can effect them terribly, just like us.

Answer 8

He is beautiful!
I have been a veterinary technician for almost 30 years. We do come across this problem occasionally. Stress is huge with adopted older pets. This may sound harsh, however, it will be rewarding in the end. Do not offer him food for 12 hours at a time. Put down whichever brand of dog food you want him to eat at the end of each 12 hour period for 5 minutes. If he does not eat, take it up and try again 12 hours later. Coxing him with different types of food can cause a plethora of problems the #1 problem being that you could be inadvertently causing him to become a picky eater. As long as he is drinking water you can do this up to 48 hours. There is a veterinarian on line that is always happy to answer anyones questions, his name is Dr. Robb at www.protectthepets.com. Best wishes!

Answer 9

Dogs have a natural instinct to survive no matter what.
He will eat, his body will not allow himself to starve to death. It's not in a dogs behavior to do this to himself, he'll eat...believe me.

He just has to warm up, its new for him.
I know when I am in a new place, my regular potty visits come to a halt, lol. Its true for dogs too.

I promise you, he will eat. It may take a few days, but he will. In the meantime, make sure he's is drinking. Give him a ice cube to play with, take him out in the snow (if you have any there).
Or, take him to the vet, and they can give him fluids thru a shot now too if necessary. I know because we had to do that for our pup, and he ate in 36 hours.
Although, we were scared to death/ He did it on his own;)

He'll be fine

Answer 10

Your pet sounds a bit stressed out and misses his other owner most likely,but sometimes a dog will stop eating ,because it needs to be wormed.Check with owner to see if it has been wormed lately.Also try boiling some chicken,tear into small bites and see if it will eat this.I have been a breeder for 12 years and if a dog turns down chicken,it most likely needs to be updated on worming.Just make sure it is drining plenty of water,or try feeding it the baby non-flavored pediolyte.