Lack of interested in food?

Girlpantsx

Quick back story, I've taken in my friends dog as she couldn't look after him anymore. He's 12 months old, and before she had him, he was found wondering the streets.

He doesn't seem really interested in his food. He probably eats once a day, and not a lot. I put food out in the morning, and he just sniffs at it, maybe has a little nibble. I put fresh food down in the evening and he'll either eat the lot, or just nibble it again. My friend said he was eating daily at hers, and that's he's just a little underweight

He's drinking water, and managed to demolish a bone I got from the butchers for him :rotfl: but the food he's just not interested.

Any tips or advice is very much welcome.

EmptyPockets

First thing I would suggest is a dental check-up, just to give his teeth and gums a look over and make sure there are no problems which might be making him reluctant to eat.

If all is fine with his mouth, then I would try to make meal-times more interesting for him.

If we just give our Collie a bowl of food she will sniff it, look at us very unimpressed, and go to lie down! She will not touch it. So, we take the food and either a) use it as training treats, feeding it to her by hand as she learns new tricks etc or b) give her her meal in a couple of Kongs or a small round plastic ball we have. You put the food in, and the the dog has to roll the ball for the food to come out of a small hole.

It keeps them entertained and is great mental stimulation too.

EmptyPockets

Sometimes, if I haven't got the time or energy for a training session, but still want her to eat her food, I will just use it in a game of 'catch' with her - obviously this only works with dry food but she will happily play catch and then gobble the bits of food as she catches them...

hoogervaaner

My lads are on quite boring dry food, to make it more exciting for them I sometimes put a cup of warm water over it (the luxury never stops in my house!). This seems to release the smells and stimulate their appetites.

Girlpantsx

Good ideas. I'll try the cup of warm water now, and when I go out I'll have a look for one of those balls. Thanks!

Youdontseeme

I watched an episode of Its me or the dog yesterday, where Victoria whatshername advised an owner of a dog who wouldn't eat unless in the room to warm the dog food slightly as it releases the flavour and stimulates the dogs tastes buds.

This, of course, only works if you are feeding "wet" food!

YDSM

hoogervaaner

If you're feeling particularly kind add a tiny amount of non-salty chicken/beef/veg stock to the warm water. Never fails with mine

EmptyPockets

Youdontseeme wrote: »

warm the dog food slightly as it releases the flavour and stimulates the dogs tastes buds.

This, of course, only works if you are feeding "wet" food!

YDSM

I often 'warm' our dogs dry food by adding a little hot homemade stock, usually chicken, lamb or beef stock that I've saved. Let it cool to eating temperature, serve to furry friend, and watch the drooling commense

EmptyPockets

hoogervaaner wrote: »

If you're feeling particularly kind add a tiny amount of non-salty chicken/beef/veg stock to the warm water. Never fails with mine

Posted at the same time - great minds :T

Girlpantsx

Great minds indeed. I did try adding a bit of gravy which got him a little interested, I think I'll try some lamb stock tonight

Kittendreich

Are you feeding the same brand/flavour as your friend did? Might make a difference.

If your dog is happy enough, appears healthy and eats sometimes & not others - he might just be self-regulating the amount he needs/feels like (e.g. been out for a long walk will eat more or lazy day then eat less).