I just adopted a puppy who they think is around 8 weeks from animal control yesterday. The puppy is sweet as can be, constantly wagging his tail and kissing faces, but it seems like all it wants to do is snuggle up and sleep on us almost all day long. It'll get up and sniff around for a minute or two quietly, then right back up on the couch it goes. I bought it all kinds of toys, but it has no interest in them. It hasn't eaten since I brought it home either. I'm kinda short on cash until next week, so I havent gotten a chance to take him to the vet. What do you think could be wrong with him?
2007-02-14 09:45:40 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Note to one of those responses: There is nothing wrong with me. I didn't get a book because I've raised 3 puppies before, none of them acted this way so that's why I'm concerned. And the reason I don't have money today is because last night my sister got arrested last night and I had to fork up almost all of my paycheck to bail her out (because no one else would). I get paid on Friday. Don't be so quick to judge asshole.
2007-02-14 09:56:29 · update #1
Well guys I took him to the vet today. Turns out something was wrong. He has parvo and I'm heartbroken. We're doing all we can so that he can survive.
2007-02-15 11:15:53 · update #2
nothin to worry about, still just a puppy and wants to cuddle and have a best friend.
2007-02-14 09:48:55 · answer #1 · answered by Will 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your puppy sounds like it could just be adjusting to it's new surroundings. When i adopted my dog, i asked about eating (She did not eat for 3 days) and was told not to worry about it unless she didn't eat for 4 days. My dog was 5 years old though so don't wait that long. You might try adding low sodium beef broth to the food or try canned food. Don't make soup with the broth, just enough to flavor it. Or try some peanut butter on a spoon and let the puppy lick it off. Dogs love PB and it is great for their coat. I just wouldn't force it to eat.
the playing thing might take awhile too. My obedience trainer said that a dog will play when it is comfortable with it's new surroundings. Our dog will play but only with her toys when we are busy with something else. It took her two months before she would even pay attention to anything else but us.
I would only worry if it is not drinking water and starts to seem lethargic (no energy, sick looking, etc.). If you get very worried, call the vet before you go and see if you might be able to work out some kind of payment plan for the visit. Your vet might even offer a free first visit for adoptions. That's what my vet offered. Definitely check out the site www.petplace.com. I found a lot of good info there.
2007-02-14 10:11:25 · answer #2 · answered by Halloween Crazy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I adopted my 7 week old yorkie, he slept constantly. Everone told me it was just because he was a puppy. But the food thing bothered me too. He just wouldn't eat it unless i fed it to him piece by piece. It was the food. We switched it and he just ate it up. The breeder was feeding the litter cat food as little treats so we got some of those too. He still loves his treats. They are just the right size to train him with. And don't worry about the rude people making comments. You must be a great mom to worry about the little guy.
Enjoy the calm moments while they last. I have to go get my chapstick back from my dog.
2007-02-14 10:49:35 · answer #3 · answered by ♥willow♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
8 weeks is a baby. They sleep alot. As far as eating, what kind of food are you giving? They need puppy food for the nutrients and smaller bites. You may need to moisten it with water. The puppy may never have eaten solid food since it was a shelter dog. You may have to coax it to eat. Put some moistened food of your finger and see it the puppy will lick at it from you. Whatever you do don't feed several different foods or puppy will get diarrhea. The puppy may be slightly depressed from the seperation of him mom and siblings. This will pass with love and attention.
2007-02-14 09:54:30 · answer #4 · answered by dcricket23 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 10 week old mini schnauzer. He too sleeps alot and likes to snuggle. He sleeps so much that he doesn't wake up at night. I asked his vet and he said it was normal, nothing to worry about. Eating habits will change, you might want to monitor that a little closer. He should be eating at least 3 times a day, at least this is what the vet told me.
2007-02-14 09:53:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your pup is young, fresh away from the mother, in a new environment. Depressed due to the change of faces. Let him do as is! He will snap out of it soon enough. It will eat when he gets hungry enough to forget about these changes. As well try moistening the food with a bit of milk. By snuggling, it feels safe and warmth that its mother provided before. Enjoy this time, as well take advantage of it to get a bond with your new pup. Soon enough you'll be worn out from it running and playing with its toys. I don't think you need to worry yourself about the vet yet, give it some time unless you notice some sick symptoms. Be sure to keep it up to date on its shots. VERY IMPORTANT!!!! He will warm up to its new life with you soon. Just keep comforting it!!!
2007-02-14 10:17:15 · answer #6 · answered by kid? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he might be getting used to the new place and you are his comfort. puppies do sleep a lot and if he is so young he may not be used to the solid foods yet. if you have canned food try feeding a little on a spoon. if you have dry food try adding a little water to soften it up. it sounds like he is just happy to have a home and is getting used to it. leave food out for him and take him to the bowl a couple of times a day so he knows where it is.
2007-02-14 09:53:36 · answer #7 · answered by bubbles 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you adopted this puppy from a shelter the poor thing has been stressed . he finally has a place that he can rest with out worry. plus he is a puppy, they do sleep alot, give him some time and he will have more energy than you will know what to do with. good luck with your puppy, you should notify the shelter where you got him from, they have a problem on their hands..
2007-02-14 09:53:02 · answer #8 · answered by kanniece 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if you really cant bring your pup to the vet right away try looking deep in your dogs mouth to make sure it is clear of debris .if your pups mouth and airway seem ok then, listen to it's lungs see if the lungs sound like popping or like the pups struggling to breath if so this could be life theatening. you should deworm your pup if you haven't already. if your pup has no energy give him water with a little sugar see if there's a change. he may be serverely dehydrated.if you got your pup from a PET STORE i'd be worried
2007-02-14 10:42:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he is just young and they sleep alot soon you will be wishing him to sleep lol when he is up to mischief.my kids get kinda stressed with the sleeping stage cos they want it to play!!you don't sound like vet visit is needed till shots are due.if money is short,go to library for books on dogs or look on here there are loads of good sites.good luck
2007-02-14 09:57:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's wrong with you? You didn't get a book on how to raise a puppy????? He's a baby and baby's sleep all the time! He's in a new place with new people and is afraid! If you don't have the money to care for a pet properly, then you shouldn't have one!!!!! Don't make an animal suffer just because you are selfish!!! If you aren't going to have the money to take him to the vet when he needs to go, then give him to someone who can!!!
2007-02-14 09:50:06 · answer #11 · answered by wish I were 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋