What should I do?? Advice needed ASAP... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Oscar's Mummy · 08-05-2006, 07:06 AM

Ruthie came home on monday and since then she has barely eaten anything. She's 3mths and 1.7lbs - too small to go without eating! The breeder had her on Royal Canin puppy as well as canned Pedigree. She won't even touch either one. I've been feeding her chicken with rice (which she just picks out the rice) but she NEVER finishes it, only picks at it. I've been giving her LOTS of nutrical (several times a day - she loves it) because I'm so scared she's going to become hypoglycemic. Today she had some plain chicken that I hand fed her around 6:30 this morning, it's now 11 am and I tried to feed her a little more mixed with cottage cheese and she won't touch it. She doesn't have diarrhea (pooping once a day - not perfect tootsie rolls, but not runny either). I have seriously tried everything I can think of with her: Baby food, banana (she'll eat a little bit), chicken with rice, canned food, dry food, cottage cheese - I don't know what else to give her. Is she just being picky or is there something wrong with her? She seems so happy and playful most of the time, but her not eating is really concerning me. I am going to go out now and get some Pedialyte to drink, but she can't just live on Nutrical and Pedialyte... What should I do???

cchu · 08-05-2006, 07:24 AM

HOw long has she not eaten?

doortego · 08-05-2006, 07:30 AM

Is there any possibility that you are giving too much Nutrical and she's just not hungry?

chattiesmom · 08-05-2006, 07:34 AM

It might be time to talk to a vet experienced with Yorkies for a good general checkup to make sure that there are no health issues.

You don't want Ruthie to become too dependent on Nutrical..... try giving her just a tad less ans see if hunger will kick in. You might also get several types of good quality dry pupy kibbles -- samples maybe -- and try to find one one that Ruthie is interested in.

Good luck and please please keep us posted on Ruthie's progress.

LuvMySissy · 08-05-2006, 07:51 AM

Try mixing a little diced white potato or sweet potato with the chicken. Sissy won't eat cottage cheese at all - some dogs just don't like it. I also feed yogurt and old fashioned oatmeal (easy if you put in a microwave safe bowl, add water to cover and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes). Sometimes Sissy eats the brown rice, sometimes she eats around it and sometimes I just have to hand feed her. You also might want to try to Natural Balance meat roll (get a small one to try). Good luck.

Oscar's Mummy · 08-05-2006, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doortego

Is there any possibility that you are giving too much Nutrical and she's just not hungry?

I don't know? Can Nutrical make them feel full? I give it to her first thing in the morning, last thing before she goes to bed, and maybe 2 or 3 times throughout the day.

Oscar's Mummy · 08-05-2006, 08:06 AM

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions... I thought Oscar was picky when I first brought him home, but Ruthie's a whole new kinda picky!

So after I posted I managed to get her to eat about 3/4 tbs of cottage cheese from my hand (messy, but at least she ate it) and then she ate a liver treat (all natural, so I figure it's good). She's playing with Oscar now so I guess she's doing Ok. I've been trying to feed her about 3 times a day (small meals) so I guess they are spaced out about every 4 or 5 hours... Mind you, I should say I TRY to feed her that often, but she may only eat a few bites each time or half of what I give her.

JeanieK · 08-05-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doortego

Is there any possibility that you are giving too much Nutrical and she's just not hungry?

That was my thought also. they really don't eat a lot and the nutrical might be filloing her up. When Ollie wouldn't eat, I gave her cottage cheese, and scrambled eggs. Also try some Cesars.. Make sure she is playing and working up an appetite. And maybe instead of the nutrical, put some Karo in her water.

feminvstr · 08-05-2006, 08:38 AM

Janice too much nutri-cal can fill them up its a suppliment. You may want to get "pet tinic" which is vitamin B6 and 12 which will stimulate the appetite and continue feeding her by hand if you have to several meals a day.... a peice of cheese, vanilla yogurt, raw carrots pour a minor amount of chicken broth on the rice, she may like...Also you might want to get nutri-drops they are long lasting I would use this during the night in case you sleep in she is good for 6-8 hours without food.

YorkieGuru · 08-05-2006, 01:06 PM

I seen on The Dog Whisperer once that Cesar said that you have to make the dog get hungry. A lady was having the same problem but with an older dog who wouldnt eat anything but things she had to cook. Then it got to the point where all he was eatting was these certain treats that were very expensive. He told her that she needed to get him out and excercise him and that will make him hungry and make him want to eat. And she did and of course the dog started having an appetite and eatting DOG food. So maybe try a lil bit of walking. Who knows.
But I also have to agree with everyone else, that maybe the Nutrical was filling her up to where she didnt want anything else to eat.

Oscar's Mummy · 08-05-2006, 03:49 PM

She isn't fully vaccinated yet, so unfortunately I can't take her out for walks yet with Oscar. She's been running around and playing with Oscar like crazy since she got here on monday, so I really thought she would have worked up an appetite that way. But I think you guys are right - the nutrical probably was filling her up. Tonight she ate her whole dinner, so I'm happy with that.

yougetthesmiles · 08-05-2006, 07:43 PM

How is Little Ruthie doing? Is she eating for you yet? Your doing a great job, i would just hand feed her if you have to, just to get into her system!

Oscar's Mummy · 08-06-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yougetthesmiles

How is Little Ruthie doing? Is she eating for you yet? Your doing a great job, i would just hand feed her if you have to, just to get into her system!

She's eating, not kibble, but at least she's eating. I am feeding her boiled chicken with cottage cheese all mashed up together - she eats it right up (so far!) and then she gets a couple liver treats during the day. I still give her nutrical but only a couple times a day now. I've also got some pedialyte for her too. I think she's doing ok.. hopefully she'll get onto the kibble soon. I remember Oscar put me through this too when he first came hom - except his 'picky' phase lasted over a month, then one day he just started eating his kibble and has been doing so since. Hopefully she'll be the same!

Pipersmommy · 08-06-2006, 12:26 PM

Misha & Piper were both picky eaters in the beginning. It is getting better. I had to hand feed them the first couple of weeks. They both do pretty well now, Piper is better than Misha. I think having 2 now, they compete for food.

08-05-2006, 07:06 AM	#1
Oscar's Mummy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,275	What should I do?? Advice needed ASAP... Ruthie came home on monday and since then she has barely eaten anything. She's 3mths and 1.7lbs - too small to go without eating! The breeder had her on Royal Canin puppy as well as canned Pedigree. She won't even touch either one. I've been feeding her chicken with rice (which she just picks out the rice) but she NEVER finishes it, only picks at it. I've been giving her LOTS of nutrical (several times a day - she loves it) because I'm so scared she's going to become hypoglycemic. Today she had some plain chicken that I hand fed her around 6:30 this morning, it's now 11 am and I tried to feed her a little more mixed with cottage cheese and she won't touch it. She doesn't have diarrhea (pooping once a day - not perfect tootsie rolls, but not runny either). I have seriously tried everything I can think of with her: Baby food, banana (she'll eat a little bit), chicken with rice, canned food, dry food, cottage cheese - I don't know what else to give her. Is she just being picky or is there something wrong with her? She seems so happy and playful most of the time, but her not eating is really concerning me. I am going to go out now and get some Pedialyte to drink, but she can't just live on Nutrical and Pedialyte... What should I do??? __________________ Janice, Oscar and Baby Ruth "The more people I meet, the more I love my dog."

08-05-2006, 07:24 AM	#2
cchu Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,485	HOw long has she not eaten? __________________ Christine and Zoe www.dogster.com/?269135 Yes guys...Zoe is a BOY!! He finally forgave me.

08-05-2006, 07:34 AM	#4
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,674	It might be time to talk to a vet experienced with Yorkies for a good general checkup to make sure that there are no health issues. You don't want Ruthie to become too dependent on Nutrical..... try giving her just a tad less ans see if hunger will kick in. You might also get several types of good quality dry pupy kibbles -- samples maybe -- and try to find one one that Ruthie is interested in. Good luck and please please keep us posted on Ruthie's progress. __________________ Silk Step-In Harnesses www.foxypups.etsy.com

08-05-2006, 07:51 AM	#5
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,333	Try mixing a little diced white potato or sweet potato with the chicken. Sissy won't eat cottage cheese at all - some dogs just don't like it. I also feed yogurt and old fashioned oatmeal (easy if you put in a microwave safe bowl, add water to cover and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes). Sometimes Sissy eats the brown rice, sometimes she eats around it and sometimes I just have to hand feed her. You also might want to try to Natural Balance meat roll (get a small one to try). Good luck. __________________ Sissy & Angel

08-05-2006, 08:06 AM	#7
Oscar's Mummy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,275	Thank you for all the helpful suggestions... I thought Oscar was picky when I first brought him home, but Ruthie's a whole new kinda picky! So after I posted I managed to get her to eat about 3/4 tbs of cottage cheese from my hand (messy, but at least she ate it) and then she ate a liver treat (all natural, so I figure it's good). She's playing with Oscar now so I guess she's doing Ok. I've been trying to feed her about 3 times a day (small meals) so I guess they are spaced out about every 4 or 5 hours... Mind you, I should say I TRY to feed her that often, but she may only eat a few bites each time or half of what I give her. __________________ Janice, Oscar and Baby Ruth "The more people I meet, the more I love my dog."

08-05-2006, 07:30 AM	#3
doortego Little Bit & Buttons Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: US Posts: 2,160	Is there any possibility that you are giving too much Nutrical and she's just not hungry?

08-05-2006, 08:38 AM	#9
feminvstr Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 4,405	Janice too much nutri-cal can fill them up its a suppliment. You may want to get "pet tinic" which is vitamin B6 and 12 which will stimulate the appetite and continue feeding her by hand if you have to several meals a day.... a peice of cheese, vanilla yogurt, raw carrots pour a minor amount of chicken broth on the rice, she may like...Also you might want to get nutri-drops they are long lasting I would use this during the night in case you sleep in she is good for 6-8 hours without food. __________________ Kimberly

08-05-2006, 01:06 PM	#10
YorkieGuru Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 725	I seen on The Dog Whisperer once that Cesar said that you have to make the dog get hungry. A lady was having the same problem but with an older dog who wouldnt eat anything but things she had to cook. Then it got to the point where all he was eatting was these certain treats that were very expensive. He told her that she needed to get him out and excercise him and that will make him hungry and make him want to eat. And she did and of course the dog started having an appetite and eatting DOG food. So maybe try a lil bit of walking. Who knows. But I also have to agree with everyone else, that maybe the Nutrical was filling her up to where she didnt want anything else to eat. __________________ KIM Proud mom of ELLE and ABBIE and BELLE

08-05-2006, 03:49 PM	#11
Oscar's Mummy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,275	She isn't fully vaccinated yet, so unfortunately I can't take her out for walks yet with Oscar. She's been running around and playing with Oscar like crazy since she got here on monday, so I really thought she would have worked up an appetite that way. But I think you guys are right - the nutrical probably was filling her up. Tonight she ate her whole dinner, so I'm happy with that. __________________ Janice, Oscar and Baby Ruth "The more people I meet, the more I love my dog."

08-05-2006, 07:43 PM	#12
yougetthesmiles BANNED FOR NOT MAILING PRODUCTS PURCHASED Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,295 Blog Entries: 3	How is Little Ruthie doing? Is she eating for you yet? Your doing a great job, i would just hand feed her if you have to, just to get into her system!