Puppy with Poor Appetite

[JaniceH]

Thanks Gina.

I hear what you say about the feeding and yes, I agree, I think it has something to do with the problem.

I normally feed her twice a day at about 7.15am and 6.30pm. I can't feed her earlier in the evening during the week as I walk her straight after I finish work.

However, her feeding problem has been the subject of much discussion between behaviourists and vets. When I picked her up at 7 1/2 weeks she was a thin puppy and I had problems from the first week. She soon gets bored and is not a greedy dog, and isn't food orientated. I acted on all the advice including what you have recommended, and although it works after a while, ie. she gets hungry after about 36 hours, it is only short term and she starts picking and leaving her food again. I switched to a top quality food and although she ate that for a while, she still got bored. The vet has done tests and there is nothing physically wrong with her...she is a happy, healthy and lively puppy but with no appetite. My vet did conclude she was rather thin and underweight and that I should do whatever I can to get her to eat so that she puts the weight on which she badly needed. He admitted I have tried everything but she just didn't respond like a "normal" puppy should. She now seems to tolerate a good quality tinned puppy food, but will only eat a little at a time, taking between 1 - 2 hours to eat it all. The vet said that once she is older and her growing is slowing down, then it won't be as crucial to get the food in her as it is now, at this important stage of her life.

Puppy Shine has been a problem since I got her and has caused me a lot of stress. However, I have to persevere and be patient, as I think she is worth it.

I will keep you posted.

Big kiss to your rotties.

[07RED]

Re: Doggy friend
We've recently got a puppy and i have found that some of the friends that i thought were doggy are particularly strict when they talk about dogs and are giving advice but aren't always as strict with their own.

It sounds like Shine has found a great home and the tips you've received are appearing very helpful with our little one.

Re: The food
I found that Guinness would only eat the smaller dry food for medium size dogs up until 3 months, 2 weeks ago the vet said it wasn't a problem. He is growing fine and looking very good in comparison to other Rot's his age.

I hope you have as much fun with Shine as we are with Guinness.

Claire

[JaniceH]

Hi Claire,

I know what you mean about my doggy friend. It is just that I want to do what is best for Shine, and she says I have spoilt her by giving her too much attention when I first got her at 7 1/2 weeks. Hence she is a fussy eater and whines at 5.00am.

However, I think I have only done what a puppy needs and will just have to take her critisizm.

As far as the eating is concerned, I have tried what you have suggested, in fact I have tried everything. The only strategy left is for me to decide whether to give her a good quality dry complete food or tinned puppy food, and then hope she will eat when she is hungry. I know for a fact this is what I will have to do in the next day or two, and that she will therefore not eat anything for 24 - 36 hours which is what happened last time. When she went so thin, I took her to the vets who agreed I should do whatever it takes to get the weight on her. The trouble is, she has got bored with everything I have offered and I have now run out of ideas which was inevitable. So I have to become extra hard hearted and only offer one type of food and let her go hungry (and thin)...more stress !!!!!

I will keep you posted.

Kisses to your rottie.