Should I hand feed a new dog?

P

Petrocelli

Forums Regular
We got our Sheltie Sara 8 days ago.

She will not eat much from her bowl and we have been concerned about her losing weight.

However, she will eat out of my hand, and I have been hand feeding her kibble from the palm of my hand.

Do you think this is OK? Am I creating a bad habit?

Thanks.

Bob
 
I would contact the place where you got your dog from, it might just be that you are feeding him/her a different food than what she/he is use to eating.

When I brought Beau home, Beau didn't eat for almost a week and then when I called the ASPCA, they said, that they fed them chicken and rice, so, that's what I fed him, and then I mixed it in with his regular food.

Now, he's an excellent eater

And, she/he might not be eating, because he's adjusting to a new home
 
dblock said:
I would contact the place where you got your dog from, it might just be that you are feeding him/her a different food than what she/he is use to eating.
Click to expand...

We got that information when we purchased her. She is eating the same food, so that can't be it.

Bob
 
Try moistening it and putting it on a saucer. The breeder may not have gotten to dry kibble yet and Sara is used to semi soft. Your breeder should be happy to help you through this - use her/his knowledge.
 
If you feed her kibble dry, give her 20 minutes in her crate with her food. After that, take it away.
When she goes down for the night, put the bowl in her crate with her, along with water in a coop cup, that can't be spilled.
We find when dogs have to acclimate to new surroundings, they are sometimes hesitant to eat. This is very common. Through the night, when the house is quiet they will eat....because they ARE hungry.
Continue this program, and she will get more and more comfortable in your home. Then she will just eat all her food at mealtime.
 
missjenneygirl said:
If you feed her kibble dry, give her 20 minutes in her crate with her food. After that, take it away.
When she goes down for the night, put the bowl in her crate with her, along with water in a coop cup, that can't be spilled.
We find when dogs have to acclimate to new surroundings, they are sometimes hesitant to eat. This is very common. Through the night, when the house is quiet they will eat....because they ARE hungry.
Continue this program, and she will get more and more comfortable in your home. Then she will just eat all her food at mealtime.
Click to expand...

I did exactly what missjennygirl suggests with one of my dogs when she first came home and wouldn't eat. She only ate once a day every single night overnight in her crate for nearly a month. She lost three pounds but eventually she figured it out and now waits for her food with the rest of the pack and eats like she's been here forever.
 
I hand fed Bella for about 2wks. She would NOT eat otherwise. I started sitting on the floor by the bowl and she started to eat out of it. She was VERY strange about eating when we first brought her home. She still is very particular about her bowl and the food. When she is not eating she covers her food up with blankets or toys. She won't eat a whole lot at one time either. She grazes like a cat.
 
Although some hand feeding is a 'treat' IMO. Just not as a method of feeding.

My previous dog was a picky eater and when I went on travel never ate the first day I was gone. After a bit everyone figured out that day 2 he was fine. Oh and this was with my brother or parents both of whom he loved and in the parents case went over there frequently.
 
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