I'd say call your vet before you go. You can tell him or her about all your dog's symptoms over the phone, and if his or her condition calls for drastic measures, the vet's office can be prepared when you arrive. Things to look for: Changes in basic habits: drinking more or less, toilet habit) Changes in behavior: sleep changes, whining, irritability Physical symptoms: drooling, coughing, running eyes or nose, dry nose Hope your beastie's doing much better soon!
I hate to scare you, but your dog should go to the vet. My lab mix stopped eating a few weeks ago, We tried baby food and canned dog food to no avail. She began to have breathing problems, too, so the vet took a chest x-ray and she had a huge tumor in her chest. We had to put her to sleep. Very sad. Just get the dog checked out by the vet.
Are you just trying to get your dog to eat it's regular food? You need to try a 'treat' like cheese or deli meat. If your dog will not eat a treat that is a sure sign that something is wrong.
I lost my beloved Buster because I hadn't noticed that he had not eaten in a few days. I tried his favorite treats but he was not interested so we rushed him to the emergency vet. Turns out he had a tumor type growth in his abdomen that had burst and filled his insides with poison. He didn't get to come home.
A short while after that I had a co-worker telling me that her dog had not eaten in 2 days - treats or otherwise. I begged her to take her dog to the vet immediately. She reluctantly left work and called later to tell us that the vet had found a blockage. He had to have surgery. She sincerely thanked me later because she would have waited if I didn't push so hard.
I am not trying to scare you, but basically the only way they can tell us something is wrong is through their eating and going habits.
Please take him to the vet to rule anything out, especially if there is other abnormal behaviour. Laying in a new spot, restless, can't seem to get comfy? These could be signs of pain or discomfort.
About the ones with sensitive bellies...I give my 2 rat terriers a heaping tablespoon of yogurt every day. I have discussed with my vet. It does help to keep their systems regular. They have had to have medicines and have special foods in the past. The yogurt has eliminated the sick belly vet visits.
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Request: Dog Not Eating
Archived on 01/14/2009
My lab of 4 years has not had a appetite for the past 3 days. I was gone for a week and back but someone who watched him has left and he may be sad that he is gone now as he got very attached prior. I have put cheese and other things in the food but he just eats that. The food sits all day while I am gone. Any ideas?
Gerry
Answers:
RE: Dog Not Eating
Is it really hot there? Dogs frequently "go off their feed" when the weather is hot. (06/30/2008)
I hate to say it, but a dog that does not eat for 3 days needs to see a vet immediately. My neighbor's 4 yr old dog stopped eating when it got lymphosarcoma. Sorry to say that.
It is not a matter of using Cesar's techniques after 3 days. (06/30/2008)
A few days ago one of my dogs began to not eat her food. She coughs and acts like she needs to throw up but doesn't and she is constantly whining and wanting to play all the time with my other dog. What's wrong with her?
Daisy from Fargo, ND
Answers:
RE: Dog Not Eating
Double-check that there is nothing stuck in her throat just in case the vet missed it. She could have eaten something that is stuck in her stomach - that happened to my dog after he ate a spatula. They took X-rays to detect the blockage. In any case, another vet should be able to give a better prognosis. Best of luck to you & your dog. (10/17/2006)
First, go to the vet. My chi started a dry cough and trying to vomit w/no results. Turns out she has a heart problem, and the cough is from the heart pressing on the esophagus, triggering the cough. I'm not saying that is your problem, but it is an example of the many different things it could be, and only a vet can tell you for sure, and recommend the appropriate action to take. And find a vet that will respond and talk to you, and really cares, not one that is dismissive of your problem. (10/17/2006)
Have you checked the dogs teeth? This happened to my dog this summer. He wouldn't eat, he has abscessed teeth and he just had to take antibiotics for 2 weeks and he was doing much better. (10/17/2006)
RE: Dog Not Eating
Your dog is sick. If it were my dog, I'd take her to the vet. Animals have no way to tell us what is wrong. If shes whining (crying), shes trying to tell you. If you don't do something, your pet may die.
Best wishes,
(10/18/2006)
By Carol in PA
RE: Dog Not Eating
Has your dog been around other dogs or in areas where many other dogs go? Kennel, alley, etc. It sounds like kennel cough. Our dog had it a while back. You must keep them confined from one another because it can pass quickly. Look up home remedies for kennel cough - we did, though I don't remember what we used.. some cough syrup that did wonders for ours and got him over it. (10/18/2006)
My 2 year old chihuahua/rat terrier mix, Maxine hasn't been eating her dog food lately. She goes outside and lays there and eats grass. I know grass-eating is common but she's not acting the same. I took her to the vet yesterday and they said she just had a mild upset stomach and they said she'd start eating by the morning but she's not. Any suggestions?
Mira from DC
Answers:
RE: Dog Not Eating
Does she play? Will she eat something that is not her regular food? when ally gets an upset stomach with the diarrhea and vomit I boil chicken and rice. Very plain and I give it to her a little bit at a time. Within 2 days she is OK. Then I wean the regular food back in. Did your vet say what to feed her? This is what my vets have always said to do. (09/03/2005)
By sandy.
RE: Dog Not Eating
The miniature cocker spaniel that we adopted at the pound had the same problem. The vet says she has irritable bowel and sometimes just won't eat - the vet gave us a few suggestions: One was to pour some beef broth over her dry dog food - that worked for awhile - then she wouldn't eat again....next suggestion we still do today - we mix about a tablespoon of canned dog food - a special blend the vet only has for dogs that won't eat - It's called Prescription diet a/d and is for dogs or cats....we put this on her dry food - which is Hill's Science Diet Advanced Protection for adult dogs 1-6 and mix it up and she will eat it all up. Very fussy little dog, but she is well worth it. Hope this gives you some ideas.
Good luck with your dog. Oh, and we also give her Pedialite (like you give babies) instead of her water in her dish when she has spells where she doesn't feel too good and that helps too. (09/03/2005)
By Starlight
RE: Dog Not Eating
Did they do x-rays or bloodwork? If not, I'd call them back and request that either test be done.
Has something happened to make her upset or depressed? Any kind of changes to her diet, or in the household?
I was just wondering how they determined that she only has a mild upset stomach.
Good luck! (09/03/2005)
I agree that if this goes on for more than a couple of days, you should find another vet who will do all the necessary lab work, etc. and won't give up until the problem is identified. In the meantime, make sure that the dog gets plenty of water. If she won't drink, the vet should put her on an IV. Dehydration is more worrisome/dangerous than not eating. (09/07/2005)
By Claudia
Kennel Cough
On monday (11-7-05) i rescued my dog tiny from the Animal shelter. She was a bit shy but she was a hyper lil 2 month Terrier Mix. she's just adorable. By Tuesday Night she started coughing. I thought she has something stuck in her throat so I let it be. On Wed, she was doing it but worse. I took her to the vet. The vet said she was anemic and that she has kennel cough. Eventually, she said, she was going to be throwing up green mucus from her mouth and her eyes. I have seen it from her nose and eyes but not throat. She has stopped eating! She's not hyper all she wants to do is sleep. She likes to sleep on my bed. I am giving her medication that the vet gave me, and I'm scared it will do her bad if she does not eat. What can i do? (11/11/2005)
When she's feeling better she'll get her appetite back. Best Wishes for a full recovery and lots of fun with your new little one.
Susan from ThriftyFun (11/11/2005)
I have used many of Cesar Millan's techniques with my dog and it works. He had a dog on the show that would not eat and it was mainly because he was not exercised and had lost the desire to eat. Good luck to the owners out there and the dogs, too! (08/26/2006)
