Not Eating....

ktandgable · #1 10-05-2004, 10:07 AM

My 5 month old rottie recently stopped eating. Gable is fed eukanuba puppy for large breeds two times a day. A couple weeks ago he stopped eating his dinner, I called the vet and they said not to worry about it. Now he doesnt eat his breakfast either. I know they say if he does not eat it in 20 minutes then to take it away and dont give him any treats, however I feel horrible doing this...I just wonder if he is starving. He has put on pretty good weight, gets a ton of excercise, but I still worry.
I have also heard good and bad things about Eukanuba's dog food. My vet says to stay on the food, but my thoughts of changing are increasing. I have done some research and read a lot of the forums and it sounds like Innova is a good food, but where do you buy it? Should I just hold out and not worry about this or change food or....??? Does anyone have any suggestions???

spidey · #2 10-05-2004, 10:17 AM

How long has he not been eating his breakfast? Is he normal in other respects (energy level, potty habits, etc.)? Before you start thinking about changing foods (and personally, I would), I think you need to figure out why he's not eating. I would find another vet, frankly, a couple of days of not eating isn't a big deal for some dogs, but more than that should be checked out, especially with a puppy.

And you can find stores which sell Innova here.

SonnyRott · #3 10-05-2004, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktandgable

My 5 month old rottie recently stopped eating. Gable is fed eukanuba puppy for large breeds two times a day.

How many cups at each feeding?

Quote:

A couple weeks ago he stopped eating his dinner, I called the vet and they said not to worry about it. Now he doesnt eat his breakfast either.

A couple of weeks is a long time. Have you called the vet since? Surely the vet would want to see him.

Quote:

He has put on pretty good weight, gets a ton of excercise, but I still worry.

How much does he weigh and how much weight has he put on? Also, at 5 months, I wouldn't give him a "ton" of exercise....he's still growing so I'd tend to not overdo. Call your vet a.s.a.p. to make sure your dog doesn't have some sort of blockage or something else going on that is preventing him from eating. Is he pooping regularly? I would think not if he isn't eating.

ktandgable · #4 10-05-2004, 10:38 AM

He hasn't been eating breakfast for about 3-4 days and then dinner for a couple weeks. It really bothers me because I want him to be alright. He is very active at night and pretty lazy during the day, but that's how he always is. He also normally only has a bowel movement after eating...so he isn't going too much, but he is also free to go in and out when he wants so I dont see him go out all of the time. The vet said to bring him in to get weighed, but I can tell he is getting bigger, he is in a growth spurt right now. They also said not to switch foods and that turning away at his meal is normal...but I dont think so. Any suggestions?

brunie's mom · #5 10-05-2004, 10:41 AM

He's right in the middle of teething now and sometimes their appetites go off a little at this time.
I think if he is healthy,playful and happy and he is still eating one good meal per day..then it could be the teeth.
If he really has no appetite and is lethargic, vomiting, or his bm's are runny...then there could be more to this and he should be seen by your vet.

I agree with spidey....You may want to think some more about changing him off the Eukanuba. For a bit more money...you could be feeding a higher quality food. Go to www.naturapet.com this is the company that makes Innova and they have store locators on their website. It's usually sold in small, private type of petfood stores or at groomers, or animal feed stores...not sold in any type of large petfood chainstore.

Gina

groupieindenial · #6 10-05-2004, 10:41 AM

TEETHING TEETHING! My guy was like that about a month ago, 5 months. Those back molars tend to give them some pain. Check his teeth. Vegas wouldn't eat, then I moistened his kibble and gave him ambesol for the pain, and he ate. It was only a few days he wouldn't eat. I was worried too, till I checked his teeth.

majicka · #7 10-05-2004, 10:44 AM

Is he not eating at all at this point? Will he eat cookies, people food and treats?

How much are you feeding him per day? If he hasn't stopped eating all meals perhaps he's quite full from the meal he is eating?

Is he vomiting at all? Diarrhea? Growly stomach?

I would honestly call my vet back and tell him you are super concerned. If he doesn't give you the answer you want, call another vet and have him checked over.

I would also look to change foods as well. I would think that if he's eating other things, he may be ok (again call the vet) and a food change might be in order. At 5 months you can take him off puppy food.

ktandgable · #8 10-05-2004, 10:45 AM

2.5 cups at each meal, 2 times a day. Yes, I did call the vet yesterday and they said that I should stop giving him treats and only allow him to have his meals...no other choices. He will go for our other dogs food, who is an older dog on a diet, so I know that food is not good for a growing puppy, thats why I think he does not like his food. He also eats his treats...and gets really excited about them. We are in training so treats are necessary. I did not mean that he gets a ton of excercise, just plenty, a one-two mile walk and then some times a game of catch, not everyday, but often.

ktandgable · #9 10-05-2004, 10:53 AM

The vet did not seem to be concerned and then I thought I was just being too concerned.....Yes, he is eating treats...thats why I think he does not like his food. The vet was pretty against me changing foods, but if I am going to change to a better food, then maybe its best to do it now as long as I mix it 50/50 and then 70/20 until his body gets used to it. Why would the vet be so against changing foods?

I know that his teeth are bothering him....they are constantly bleeding and he wants to chew, chew, chew. I tried puttin water in his food but then I was wasting so much because he wasnt eating it and then it would be soggy, so I would thow it out. How do you but ambesol on a dog, just rub it on his gums? I never thought of that. I can see that his back molars are coming in, he already has two, and boy are they big suckers.

majicka · #10 10-05-2004, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktandgable

. Why would the vet be so against changing foods?

By any chance do you buy the food directly from him?

ktandgable · #11 10-05-2004, 10:56 AM

Nope...but they do sell that Brand there????

majicka · #12 10-05-2004, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktandgable

Nope...but they do sell that Brand there????

I know my vet does..so thats why I was asking..

I have no idea why he would be so dead set against you changing foods.

Dave Brown · #13 10-05-2004, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majicka

By any chance do you buy the food directly from him?

That is what I was thinking. I would definately look into this further and watch his stools for any problems.

Most of what I have read indicate to not feed Rotties "puppy" food due to the fact that the puppy food encourages fast growth, this could cause problems later on.

I was having similiar problems with Tabitha and it seemed to pass, although she still is not impressed with the Canadea canned food, she tend to eat the kibble around it.

Definately keep an eye on him and if it really concerns you, get him to the vet for a check up.