What do you do when your pup won't eat?

Question

my pup is almost a year old and won't eat any more, I've bought him 3 different kinds of the best dry food & he won't eat, he only eats about once or twice a day, I think he is underweight, (was told different X's not to give him any wet food, plus it upsets his stomach) I went back to giving him beneful dry, I know it may not be the best, but he'll eat it, what do I do? (I know some of you know a lot about this) thanks...

Giovanna, I started giving him tiny bites of some of my food, (I knew better) but still did it, because of the tricks they pull on you, sad eyes, etc., etc., I think that's the problem, I'll do that. thanks!!

Despistado, ha ha, it's funny you should say that, I do give him lots of love he is way too "apapachado" (what a word, lol) very good!

Answer 1

Try not to give your dog any of your food, cause in the long
run it is actually harmful. I know the look they give you, like
their will die if they can't have it, but don't do it.

My dog has stopped eating also. I have tried different kinds
of dog food, and I also tried adding a little milk to her dry
food. She liked that, but hardly touched it. Tonight, on my
way home from work, I picked up a cooked chicken and I
cut it up and gave her some. She ate it all. I mixed it with
her dry food. Chicken is ok to give your dog, but be
careful of bones. They should not eat chicken bones.

Beneful is not a good food. I gave it to my dog before
and she loved it. A few months later she had to go to the
emergency vet because it made her constipated. She was
so blocked up that she could of died. I spent 900.00, to
get her fixed up and the vet told me that beneful may taste
good, but it isn't a good food, and it does not have things
like fiber that dogs need in their diet.

Answer 2

What kind of pup? Toy breeds won't eat but a few bites at a time, many eat only a 1/4 cup of food per day, sometimes even less. I know a chihuahua who gets 13 pieces of kibble per day and is overweight on that. You should be able to feel his ribcage when you pet him, it should feel like the bones along the back of your hand. He should have nice thigh muscles and should not be bony along the hips or top of the spine. He should have a definite waistline when viewed straight from above. Here's a chart with pictures to help you tell how thin he is:

http://www.purina.ca/dogs/nutrition.asp?article=292

Beneful is not a bad food, and it's very tasty too, which is probably why he likes it. If that's what he'll eat, go with it. I've seen a lot of picky eaters thrive on this food.

Answer 3

Have you been to a lot of vets with this dog? (Your post led me to think so.) If so, you might look at the reccommendations they are giving and see if there is a better alternative to these vets, check with some breeders see who they go to, or maybe your friends who have dog could suggest other vets.

In the meantime, try a little peanut butter. You might also add some water to the food, which will soften hard food and possibly make it easier for your puppy to ingest (if this is an issue with your do - he needs to see a vet you trust.)

Answer 4

This has happened to my dog before. I took him to a vet and they checked him up. Sometimes dogs don't feel well so they stop eating. If this is happening for more than a three days, I suggest you take him to a vet that you trust and get him checked up. The vet will be able to tell you what's wrong and give you some good suggestions on what to do.

Answer 5

A couple days ago my neighbor knocked the door and told me about her little dog, she (A little female Chihuahua) had the same symptoms, like yours she mentioned that her dog was so sad and did not want to eat for a few days already...

Well... She mentioned something about her little dog been on the heat stage and want it to barrow my little Chihuahua dog...

They were by them selves all day in the back yard, doing I don't know what, but at the end of the day her little dog was eating again and my little dog was happy as hell..!!

I don't know how that works but maybe a chance, don't you think so..??

Animals are like humans, some times they get into their little world and do strange things like that...
Maybe your pup is missing something or some one...
Or he is just to "papachado" because all the love you always have for him..!!

Answer 6

my pup wouldn't eat at one time. we went to the vet and he had some kind of allergic reaction to the food so bad that we had to get some kind of food the make out of piles just for pups. they don't make a lot of it because it is rare for a pup to have it. that might be what the pup has. but hey dose the pup eat grass sometimes. if he dose then it is a miss up stomach. but when he was at less 3 years old he could eat regular dog food.

Answer 7

When my pup doesn't eat for a day or so, I take him to the vet. When a dog doesn't eat, it is because something is wrong...he may be sick or allergic to the foods you've been trying to feed him. Corn allergies are very common in dogs, and corn is a major ingredient in lower quality dog foods. I suggest you try a high quality food like Candidae, which you can't buy at Petsmart, but you'll find it at smaller pet supply stores or holistic pet supply stores. There are several different brands you can try, but Candidae seems to be a good one that is very affordable. It is highly recommended by trainers and behaviorists.

Answer 8

Have you tried Dog Chow? I have four dogs and they all eat good. If he's eating the beneful food good maybe it's what he wants. If the problem starts up again on the beneful I'd ask your vet.

Answer 9

Eating one to two times daily is normal. You can take your dog to your local vet and they can tell you if your dog is underweight. You can also look on Akc.org and go to your dog's breed and see the standard weight. If he is underweight I would recommend taking him to the vet and ask about the food they have there. We give my dog food called LA that we purchase from the vet and it makes him gain weight. Hope this helps!

Answer 10

Exercise your dog and make him feel like he is earning his food! Take him on a long walk then feed him. Don't leave his food out for him all day. Then at night, do the same thing, take him on a long walk and feed him his dinner.