Should I make a Vet appointment?

[ColbyJack]

Hello again everyone.


Sorry if this seems long---


I've posted this about this before. Colby will not eat again. Refuses to touch his food. This is the longest period he's gone on one food. I just don't know what to do. I've gotten suggestions in my previous posts about his but mostly I was told I was "giving" in and needed to restrict his food intake to ONLY his food and wait. "He'll eat." Once again it is not working. About two weeks ago Colby started to resist meal time. Walking away from his food. Looking at the food, then at us and walking away. During this time we restricted his intake to ONLY his food. For next 11 days we managed to get to him eat at least 1/2 - 2/3 of his normal intake. Today will make day 2 of complete refusal of his food. No people food no snacks, nothing. He won't touch it. Yesterday he ate one bite. Today he has had nothing. Started throwing up. Now he doesn't act "sick". Runs around. Plays. Wants "attention". Will gladly eat people food if he were given the change, Basically Normal. Except he is obviously hungry. Give him his food and his ears will go back and he'll just turn around and go away. My family member thinks he "gets bored" with his food. He currently east a Home Made chicken and rice mixture I found on a website linked from this website. I also mixed in Stella and Chewy's Chicken Mixers until about a month ago he'd suck off the rice off the Stellas and spit it out. I don't want to change his food again for a bunch of reasons. Mostly its not good for him and secondly $$$. Its a pretty strong will I think I am up against and the fact that He's now throwing up bile I find disturbing. I have talked with my Vet before and was told now it the time I should give in and give a mild food to help his belly. But my god, is he really that strong willed or is there some underlying cause? Has anyone else experienced their furbaby refusing to eat dog food long enough to cause vomiting? How did you get past it? I'm only joking but is there some kind of Doggy Pot to stimulate his hunger? lol

I'm worrying like crazy and at the same time aggravated like hell!!!

Thanks for reading....

[aweitzm1]

When I first rescued my dogs Thumper did not like the food I gave him (Blue Buffalo) I had to entice him with making it with yogurt or chicken stock. He would spit out the kibble. When I switched him to Natural Balance he loves the food. I dont have to put anything in the dry kibble.

I would try a different flavor food. It could be he doesn't like chicken. I understand not wanting to change the food because of $$$ I felt the same way but in the long run Thumper was happier. I would also take him to the Vet for a check up since he is throwing up just to rule out any other issues.

I hope Colby starts to eat soon.

[Maximo]

Keep in mind that our doggies are very much in tune with our feelings. Colby might be sensing your anxiety about him eating. He might associate your anxiousness with something negative about his "dog" food (along with his knowledge that if he holds out long enough, he will get the "people" food).

Maybe I was lucky getting 2 good, non-picky eaters, but I do believe a really positive attitude toward their food helped. When I feed my boys, I behave like their kibble (sometimes with fresh steamed chicken) is solid gold on a plate. We are almost this goofy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYnQQL5oB7k

When they finish eating, they come to me and I have to rub their shoulders while saying, "Mmmm, that's good stuff, isn't it?"

We also use their kibble for potty rewards and trick training.

Admittedly, Max's first year, I had to hand feed him. He chose to perform sits for each kibble. I sped up the process by devising a game of "kibble in the Kong," putting a bunch of the kibble in the Kong toy and singing a little song. Adding a second Yorkie encouraged Max to eat on his own.

You might try getting samples of other foods to see if it is a taste thing, but try to mask your concerns and make meal time fun.

If Colby is vomiting bile from not eating, I would give in and feed a little fresh chicken, or something that is close to the food you want him to eat.

[dottiesyrky]

Could it be that your dog is not feeling well or has some health issue?
I don't know if the vet has done tests on him to check if he is ok? If not I would certainly do them. Could be nothing, but this is the way my dog behaved when he got pancreatitis and acid reflux. Hope your dog is just picky but I would check him out. He could also have teeth problems that stop him eating?
Hope you solve this soon and he feels better and is eating.

[Cindy_17]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Keep in mind that our doggies are very much in tune with our feelings. Colby might be sensing your anxiety about him eating. He might associate your anxiousness with something negative about his "dog" food (along with his knowledge that if he holds out long enough, he will get the "people" food).

Maybe I was lucky getting 2 good, non-picky eaters, but I do believe a really positive attitude toward their food helped. When I feed my boys, I behave like their kibble (sometimes with fresh steamed chicken) is solid gold on a plate. We are almost this goofy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYnQQL5oB7k

When they finish eating, they come to me and I have to rub their shoulders while saying, "Mmmm, that's good stuff, isn't it?"

We also use their kibble for potty rewards and trick training.

Admittedly, Max's first year, I had to hand feed him. He chose to perform sits for each kibble. I sped up the process by devising a game of "kibble in the Kong," putting a bunch of the kibble in the Kong toy and singing a little song. Adding a second Yorkie encouraged Max to eat on his own.

You might try getting samples of other foods to see if it is a taste thing, but try to mask your concerns and make meal time fun.

If Colby is vomiting bile from not eating, I would give in and feed a little fresh chicken, or something that is close to the food you want him to eat.

LOVED the video, lol too funny!! I am blessed with two non picky babies too. We make a big deal out of it here too, not intentionally to get them to eat, it's just what we do, lol. But it does get them excited!

I hope you can figure out something quickly that will help, it has to be nerve racking! I agree with Maximo, I would probably give in a little with chicken to get something in him, good luck!

[ColbyJack]

Well I did some research and cooked a ground beef/rice/spinach//carrot/pea recipe. He gobbled it up. I am hesitant because he always eats right after a fresh batch of food is made. Then the next morning we will see for sure. I have multivitamins the he hates bit I will make him eat for added nutrients. Let's cross our fingers. Thanks for the advice all. I appreciate it.

[Wylie's Mom]

Tough one...I really feel for you.

I don't think it has to do his being "strong willed" - I just really think he has a very finicky tummy / appetite...just like some humans do.

Have you tried raw yet, either thawed frozen or freeze dried? Have you tried sprinkling Parmesan cheese on his food?

If you're willing to homecook - then I'd go to balanceit.com to get the diet correct.

Science Diet i/d is another one to perhaps try...

[matese]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Keep in mind that our doggies are very much in tune with our feelings. Colby might be sensing your anxiety about him eating. He might associate your anxiousness with something negative about his "dog" food (along with his knowledge that if he holds out long enough, he will get the "people" food).

Maybe I was lucky getting 2 good, non-picky eaters, but I do believe a really positive attitude toward their food helped. When I feed my boys, I behave like their kibble (sometimes with fresh steamed chicken) is solid gold on a plate. We are almost this goofy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYnQQL5oB7k

When they finish eating, they come to me and I have to rub their shoulders while saying, "Mmmm, that's good stuff, isn't it?"

We also use their kibble for potty rewards and trick training.

Admittedly, Max's first year, I had to hand feed him. He chose to perform sits for each kibble. I sped up the process by devising a game of "kibble in the Kong," putting a bunch of the kibble in the Kong toy and singing a little song. Adding a second Yorkie encouraged Max to eat on his own.

You might try getting samples of other foods to see if it is a taste thing, but try to mask your concerns and make meal time fun.

If Colby is vomiting bile from not eating, I would give in and feed a little fresh chicken, or something that is close to the food you want him to eat.

lol you mean there are other nuts out there that sing and fuss when it's time for their baby to eat, so glad to find out I am a NORMAL yorkie mom lol, loved the video makes me now know I have not "lost it" lol.

[mybellababy]

Bella is 2 1/2 plus and to this day we still have to throw her ball to get her to eat. We are expecting a new puppy baby in the spring and hope the new one will show her she can eat with out her ball.

Hope your boy is doing well this the new food.

[Contance]

I have little girl that is the same way. Eats today won't eat the same thing tomorrow. I have tried so many different kinds of name brand foods. Nothing works for more than three days with her. I worry so much about her , she is also pregnant which causes me to worry even more.

[Verbena]

Oh I am with you . .Galen has been like that since he was 10 weeks. . Still finicky. . .

I have tried all types of kibble. . . The only thing that works most regularly is Primal and Stella and Chewy Freeze Dried Formula. I buy four flavors and he gets a different flavor each meal. He is fed Twice a day. Primal he gets the Lamb, Duck and Beef and Salmon. . And we are going to also add in the port next week . . The Stella and Chewy we get the venison, Pheseant, surf and turf and the rabbit. . . I add a little coconut and fish oil at night. And olive oil in the morning. . It helps with their coats. .

You can contact primal. They will send samples out to you . .

[Verbena]

Also make sure you have nurtical or Dines on hand. I give it to Galen when he doesn't want to eat. . Good luck. If you have questions just ask. . .


I really feel your pain.

[Lilah Charm]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Keep in mind that our doggies are very much in tune with our feelings. Colby might be sensing your anxiety about him eating. He might associate your anxiousness with something negative about his "dog" food (along with his knowledge that if he holds out long enough, he will get the "people" food).

Maybe I was lucky getting 2 good, non-picky eaters, but I do believe a really positive attitude toward their food helped. When I feed my boys, I behave like their kibble (sometimes with fresh steamed chicken) is solid gold on a plate. We are almost this goofy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYnQQL5oB7k

When they finish eating, they come to me and I have to rub their shoulders while saying, "Mmmm, that's good stuff, isn't it?"

We also use their kibble for potty rewards and trick training.

Admittedly, Max's first year, I had to hand feed him. He chose to perform sits for each kibble. I sped up the process by devising a game of "kibble in the Kong," putting a bunch of the kibble in the Kong toy and singing a little song. Adding a second Yorkie encouraged Max to eat on his own.

You might try getting samples of other foods to see if it is a taste thing, but try to mask your concerns and make meal time fun.

If Colby is vomiting bile from not eating, I would give in and feed a little fresh chicken, or something that is close to the food you want him to eat.

Oh my gosh, you are so cute.

[Lilah Charm]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

Could it be that your dog is not feeling well or has some health issue?
I don't know if the vet has done tests on him to check if he is ok? If not I would certainly do them. Could be nothing, but this is the way my dog behaved when he got pancreatitis and acid reflux. Hope your dog is just picky but I would check him out. He could also have teeth problems that stop him eating?
Hope you solve this soon and he feels better and is eating.

I would just make sure these things are ruled out as well. Dental issues can happen earlier than we expect- my mothers Maltese had to have extractions at age two! Has your little guy had a blood panel recently? Being prone to liver issues like yorkies are can make some foods harder for their little bodies to process. I am sure there are a myriad of hidden medical causes that we as lay people could miss- I know you have spoken with your vet but maybe you should push to run a blood panel?

Lilah has a history of picky eating. Her whole first year and a half was a stressful food roller coaster of liking then disliking a food. I was at my wits end from raw and natural and grain free brand to brand when I decided to give royal canin a try. Their Yorkshire terrier formula was not the one for us but the rc mini adult was the first food she ate for an extended period of time with happiness and gusto each day. After about nine months she started acting funny again so after two weeks of vomiting on first mate we tried natural balance duck and potato small breed bites and she is doing great on that right now, it has been at least a month. We keep out free choice kibble (being a skinny picky girl like she always has been free choice is the choice at our house) and she gets the NB duck and pot canned food morning and night with coconut oil in the morning serving and a powdered supplement in the evening feeding. We may try their sweet potato and chicken formula (white potatoes are high on the glycemic index and less digestible than sweet potato) or try going back to RC in the future but right now I am glad she is eating, happy and healthy. Good luck with your special guy!

[SharonSnowbird]

I would definitely make a vet appointment! ASAP There may be a reason why Colby won't or can't eat. My Chanel stopped eating and I took her for blood tests and urine tests and she was diagnosed with being in kidney failure. Not trying to alarm, you, but there may be a medical reason. Please take him to your vet for a check up. Best of luck!