Why isn't my dog eating?

Question

A few days ago I took my 3 month old Siberian husky to the vet for her booster shot and d-worm. The next day she wouldn't eat her food. The brand was Iams and she didn't really like it, so I had a little Science Diet left and she just ate it. That was around 9 in the morning and when it was at 4pm she just ate the Iams that was left from the bowl I put there, so I went to petsmart and bought her Purina Puppy Chow and when I came home she seemed to like it. When it was dinner time she wouldn't eat from her bowl. I had to feed her by hand for 2 days and now today she didn't seem hungry. She always eat around like 9:15 and when I tried feeding her by hand she didn't seem hungry. I tried feeding her by hand at 10:15 and she ate it, not really hungry but normally. Oh yeah I tried putting the food in another bowl and that didn't work. Any suggestions???

I feed her once in the morning and once at night

Answer 1

Your dog has you well trained. She's learned that if she holds out you'll give her something new.

Find a high quality food this includes foods such as Innova, Canidae, Solid Gold and Natural Balance. Science Diet, Iams and anything Purina are NOT high quality foods.

Feed her 3 times a day, pick up her bowl after 20 minutes whether she eats or not. No food or snacks until the next meal. At the next meal time put the bowl down for 20 minutes again, and then take it back up whether she eats or not. She will get the hint that she needs to eat whats in front of her when its in front of her or she'll be hungry for a few hours. A healthy dog will not starve itself.

Answer 2

Huskies are naturally very picky eaters, it is common for the particular breed.

There are a lot of things you could try, like adding warm water to her food, mixing it with a little bit of canned food (no more than 2 Tbls), a different bowl, or hiding it under a towel (it mimmicks buried food). If you determine that there isn't a medical problem with her, try allowing her only 1/2 hour to eat. After the time is up take her food away whether she has eaten or not...seems a little mean but she will realize quickly when mealtime is...

Btw, I am unclear if you are feeding 2xday - but that is the way to go if you aren't.

Answer 3

First, I would suggest calling the vet. Second, you are probably feeding her jsut dry food? If you are get some vet food with it. My dogs were on Iams before the whole mess with the food recall and ever since then they are on Pedigree and they love it. Get dry food and wet packets of food as well. Mix it half and half. Add a little water if you like. See what happens, if she wont eat then put a few small piecies of cheese, but hide them int he food so she wont just pick them out of there. Dont get too used to hand feeding your dog, she is a dog when she is hugry she will eat, trust me. SOmetimes when my 3 year old wont eat we give him a treat and then he goes to eat. Also, its important to switch food gradually. What i mean is dont jsut switch to another brand, slowlly introduce it to your pet by first adding the small amount to the food she is eating currently, increasing the amounts daily and only on the 4th day you can give her a full bowl of new food. But first and foremost call the vet and make sure she is not sick.

Answer 4

It is not unusual for a dog to feel punk for a few days after having it's shots, just like when people are immunized. I would think this is the problem, she's just not feeling quite up to par. My dog and cat both are not right for a few days after their shots. If she's not back to her normal self in the next 2 days I'd phone the vet and get some advise. Vets sometimes forget to tell us what to expect after our pets come home.
Good luck, I'm sure she's just fine.

Answer 5

Sure, dont feed her 'grocery store brands' these have fillers such as beet pulp,peanut hulls, or corn, they are in the as cheap sources of energy and to make the dog feel 'full'stay on one quality brand as switching so fast will definately cause digestive upset. pick a healthy choice (no corn ,soy wheat) sick to it. Add some cottage cheese,yogurt,or even some warm water to kibble,stir it up and feed:) these are very nutritious adding for her bones and hopefully she'll take a liking to it.goodluck!!!

Answer 6

Those foods you mentioned are horrible. Pedigree is disgusting also. Full of fillers and by-products. ANYTHING you buy in a grocery store if crap.

Please go to this link and try to find a food that is rated 4 and above and I'm sure you will have a good food for your dog. I personally feed my dogs Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul because it's a good food and because of it's affordability and availability in my area.

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/