I'm babysitting a dog that won't eat?

Question

I'm babysitting a dog for a friend and he won't eat. He is very clingy to me and he obviously misses his owner. How do I get him to eat? I don't want him to get sick or anything. He's gonna be with me for a month...how long do you think before he becomes more comfortable here with me? He seems sad and bored.

Answer 1

This is kind of sad to say but he'll eat when he gets hungry. He is just upset at the moment, but rest assured he will be fine. Just make sure to get him fresh food and water everyday. He'll come around. Don't panic, he'll sense your stress. You don't need to make it any harder on him. Good luck.

Answer 2

When an owner of a pet leaves their pet behind, many times the dogs won't eat because they are missing the owner, new surroundings and nerves will all play a part on the eating. As long as he/she is drinking they will eat when they get hungry. I know sometimes when we leave our pets with a neighbor, sometimes if they take the dogs for a walk and try to alleviate the nerves they will eat and become much more playful. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

This is normal. many dogs won't eat even while their mommies and daddies are at work. The adage is, he will eat when he gets hungry enough. If you are really concerned, you can do what I did for my emaciated puppy when I first got him. Take some peanut butter, put it in a bowl, warm it up so it is melted (BUT NOT HOT) and drizzle it over the food. It doesn't have to be a lot. Just a teaspoon or two for a couple cups. You can also make a scarmbled egg (good for coat) and put that chopped up in the food. The dog may try to gulp it down, so make sure it is nice and chopped up. You can also use wet food mixed with dry, but I find it creates wet stools).

Answer 4

Skipping a day or 2 won't hurt him. Mine wouldn't eat for 3 days and then he started eating fine when he was at the handler's house.

You can add a little Goat's milk or canned food to his food if needed.

If this is a small breed then it is a bigger concern if they don't eat. Toy breeds can get hypoglycemic (low blood sugar).

Don't coddle him too much. Stick to your normal routine. Get the dog out for walks, exercise should help the appetite.
If you coo over him when he clings you can actually teach him to be neurotic. Don't push him away, but try not to worry too much either.

Offer food on his normal schedule. I feed 2x daily, puppies 3x daily. I pick up the food after 20 minutes.

Good luck, he should snap out of it soon. He's just confused by the changes.

Answer 5

I'm no expert mind you...but I have a dog that when borded at a Kennel will hardly eat. Usually they have a bit of seperation anxiety and they tend to not eat very well. Give him lots of love and affection and before you know it he will come around. Also are you feeding the same food? That is a must. Don't change anything. Good luck.

Answer 6

He is just sad and a little scared he will eat when he's ready and let him come to you don't push yourself on to him. If he doesn't start eating in a week check with the vet but he should come around soon it's most likely just being shy and nervous

Answer 7

dont worry he'll eat when he gets really hungry and he'll start getting close to u when he sees that your the only person around. I had to babysit my brother's dog for a week. The first night he cried a lot butthen he grow to like me

Answer 8

There is at least two reasons:
1. The dog might be depressed
2. Maybe the food you're giving him is a different type and the dog doesn't like it.

Answer 9

Perhaps put a picture of the owner behind or beside his food, and put on some tasty stuff, such as kibble with those sauce made just for dogs sold in drug stores and those stores that sell doggy food...although I don't see it anymore, I'll wish that you can find it.

Answer 10

Walk the dog twice a day. Offer him food after his walk. When he gets hungry he will eat.