Refusing to eat

[OntarioSheltie]

Melissa, I know you had your vet look at her teeth. But with the initial yelp and the continued not wanting to eat desprite being hungery and otherwise being alert and healthy. I am just wondering if there could be an injured tooth that is being overlooked. I have seen dogs with just cracks in the teeth very hard to see when awake cause similar syptoms. You can take this for what you will. It is just a gut feeling. I would investigate the teeth further if your vet has dental xrays that would be great and a really good exam under sedation. If they don't find anything at least you have thoughly ruled that out. I don't remember if you have done bloodwork but considering the length of time this has gone on, it is something to look into.

Yeah, I've thought of that. But at the same time she doesn't seem to have any difficulty eating carrots or milk bones, or chewing her raw hide bone. She hasn't yelped while eating since.

Sadie yelps as if in pain for attention (mostly out of frustration) some times or if she startles herself, which could have been the case too. That first yelp occured when I fed her in her crate and she new we were getting ready for a walk. I'm beginning to think that I just jumped to conclusions because I was worried about her beginning to turn up her nose at her food, which she'd started doing before the yelp. Its not uncommon for her to yelp because we're not leaving for that walk fast enough. If it was food she really liked she'd eat it first, but she'd decided she wasn't interested in the Wellness so just refused it.

That being said, I'm still keeping an eye on her and her eating habits. Although she ate the California Natural, she's still not eating as she used to. Not sure if she's just not crazy about it or if its still something else. Having her examined under sedation is definitely an option and I just may have it done at some point to put my mind at ease.

Thanks for the suggestion Dr. Shelli.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Well Duh!

I just realized last night that I did not buy the dog food that everyone so highly recommended. That will teach me to write down the name, even though I think I know it. I did not buy California Natural, I bought Natural Balance. I bought the allergy formula, which is one of the better quality foods they have but not of the quality I intended to buy. I won't be making that mistake again. Oh well, at least Sadie is eating normally again and the new food isn't causing any stomach upset in either of the girls.

Just so much going on right now, Sadie not eating, Ginny's peeling paw pads and sound sensitivity, nasty cold keeping me up at night, grandfather in the hospital out of town, cleaning the house, fixing lawn mower, packing for and leaving for vacation, clean house, do laundry, lose mind, etc. etc.

I'll get it right the next time when all of the chaos is over!

 

[corbinam]

I just realized last night that I did not buy the dog food that everyone so highly recommended. That will teach me to write down the name, even though I think I know it. I did not buy California Natural, I bought Natural Balance.

I'll get it right the next time when all of the chaos is over!

Oops! At least you still got a high quality food. I'm happy to hear that Sadie is eating better again.

Hope all of this chaos calms down soon and that ALL start feeling better ASAP.

 

[mikebdub]

Cali is doing the same exact thing ugh.. Her problem is that she is a princess.. and she knows that Daddy is not going to let her not eat and will do whatever is in his power to make her happy. We go through this every few months when she gets bored with her food. I will make her kibble + warm water and put it in her cage where she eats. Usually she will inhale it, but when she gets bored she just turns her nose and lays down in her crate ignoring everything. I will take it back, mix in some TOTW wet with the dry and she is back to normal eating and being happy..

I used to be the person who said "they will eat when they are hungry.." Yeah that def is not how it works anymore! She has gone for the past week eating kibble + warm water without issue, but this morning she decided she needed something new.. She really does have me wrapped around her paw!

 

[BarbV]

Oh, I know the feeling! Bacca becomes a little prince(ss) from time to time with his food.

When we come back from the cottage, Indy wants to eat right away. Bacca is usually in a "huff" because of the indignity of riding in the car, that he won't eat in his usual spot. He'll normally lie in the living room about 20 feet away from his dish and refuse to move.

My head tells me to leave it, but the "mom" in me, brings his food to him so that he can eat it in the living room. What an idiot I am! I tell myself I only do it, so that the porker, Indy, won't get at Bacca's food, but deep down, I know that I'm just a sucker.