What is the solution? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

b.lisa · 08-16-2005, 04:21 PM

My 14 yr old yorkie, Kiwi, suddenly has no interest in eating. He stopped eating dog food about a month ago, and agreed to eat bits of pasta, vegies and some fruits. He is loosing his sight and hearing, but is otherwise healthy. In the last 2 wks, he sniffs his food and walks away. However, if I put it in my hand, he licks it. After much coaxing, he may eat a few bites. He plays and responds to me but the vet and I are concerned about his loss of appetite. What is going on? What to do? It's almost like he has forgotten that he needs to eat! I realize he cannot eat hard food anymore because of his teeth. He still has most of them but prefers soft food. I'm worried that he will get ill if he doesn't eat. He only weighs 3 lbs(lifetime weight) and cannot afford to avoid food. Help!

mstemason · 08-16-2005, 05:24 PM

my last yorkie, Dexter, got to that point. I gave him some gerber chicKen and gravy baby food just a little at a time and starting adding it to his prescription dog food. Some day's he didn't eat much but once i got him started mixing it with the baby food he seemed to do better.

Hope that helps and that he starts eating soon.

Harley's mom

b.lisa · 08-17-2005, 03:50 PM

Dear Yorkie Yakker, Many thanks for your input for my problem. I am going to try your recommendation with the baby food and see if that helps. Sometimes I think Mr. Kiwi forgets he likes to eat , perhaps it's his age. I appreciate your concern! Thanks, Kiwi and lisa

vms1177 · 08-17-2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.lisa

My 14 yr old yorkie, Kiwi, suddenly has no interest in eating. He stopped eating dog food about a month ago, and agreed to eat bits of pasta, vegies and some fruits. He is loosing his sight and hearing, but is otherwise healthy. In the last 2 wks, he sniffs his food and walks away. However, if I put it in my hand, he licks it. After much coaxing, he may eat a few bites. He plays and responds to me but the vet and I are concerned about his loss of appetite. What is going on? What to do? It's almost like he has forgotten that he needs to eat! I realize he cannot eat hard food anymore because of his teeth. He still has most of them but prefers soft food. I'm worried that he will get ill if he doesn't eat. He only weighs 3 lbs(lifetime weight) and cannot afford to avoid food. Help!

I wish I could help. But from what I know about older dogs sometimes they really hang in there.. I had to put my 16yr old beagle Maisey to sleep last year it was so so difficult because she was still eating but she was wasting away. The cancer was really taken over. It doesnt sound like that is your issue. But you are right your baby cannot afford to lose much weight. Good luck and welcome to YT

Jack and Mandy's Mom

jenni · 08-17-2005, 05:16 PM

Boy I sympathize with you. I have this little one that has got to be the worlds worst eater. There is nothing that she really likes. Never once has she just woofed down food. It is a bite of this or a bite of that.
Since her bout yesterday with hypoglycemia I am now so scared. I am giving her a pea size bit of nutracal every couple of hours to try to stimulate her appetite. Every single thing that has been suggested she just flat out will not eat.
Today I mixed baby cereal with baby meat and used a syringe to get it into her.
It is so frustrating I was almost in tears.
Never in my life and all the dogs I have had have I ever had one like this, ever.
So take some comfort in knowing that there is someone else that is fighting this battle with you!!

b.lisa · 08-21-2005, 08:38 AM

jennie, Well, I think you have reason for concern. Hopefully your baby is going to grow out of that phase and enjoy her food without a struggle. Kiwi continues to select vegetables and fruit but only certain ones and he only takes one bite and is finished. I'm going to go the liquid route and at least he gets the vitamins that way. This is a serious problem I hope we can all solve somehow! Thanks for your input. Kiwi and lisa

b.lisa · 08-21-2005, 08:42 AM

dear vms1177, Thanks for your kind words. kiwi and lisa

vms1177 · 08-21-2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.lisa

dear vms1177, Thanks for your kind words. kiwi and lisa

Your very welcome Lisa

Verena

dianne · 08-21-2005, 06:35 PM

Sorry lisa I cant help you as I dont have an elderly dog but was wondering how you came to name your dog kiwi? hope everything works out for you

dianne and prudence

b.lisa · 08-22-2005, 01:29 PM

i Dianne, My little kiwi 's mother 's name was Kiwi and that's the story!! Interesting enough though, Kiwi looks exactly like his DAD who was small and petite. Kiwi's mom was a larger version and kiwi's 2 brothers looked like her . Both brothers went on to become show dogs and both are gone now. kIWI the smallest of the three is going to be 14 this september. If only he would get his appetite back!!!!

spydergurl · 08-23-2005, 04:16 PM

One of my six year old yorkies is very fussy....she wouldn't hardly eat anything without me coaxing. Then I discovered Natures Balance turkey and beef rolls. ( They also have lamb, but I don't promote lamb anything.) Anyway, she loves it...never refuses it. You just follow directions on the roll, it tells you how much they should eat for their weight. And it has all the nutrients they need, and is pure meat...no fillers. Petco carries it. I give it to both of my 6 yr old yorkies, twice a day, cut up in little pieces. Try it!

b.lisa · 08-24-2005, 11:26 AM

Spydergurl, Thanks for the tip. Unfortunatly Kiwi, 3lbs, is prone to kidney problems and has been somewhat of a vegetarian for a long time. I try not to give him all protein for that reason. However, I will keep it in mind for my pomeranian! I love those beautiful faces in the pic!!!lisa

yorkieusa · 08-24-2005, 11:50 AM

In the last months of Muffin's life, she wouldn't eat dry food or the canned equivalent. I was getting desperate, because I wanted so for her to eat well. She always loved to eat. One evening I picked up some Little Cesars dog food and she ate like a little pig! I didn't care if it wasn't the best thing in the world. I just wanted her to eat. She loved it and ate it the rest of her days. I don't know if their taste buds are like older humans or not, but I suspect that they are and sometimes things with more flavor taste better. Muffin would eat maybe a meal or two of boiled chicken or boiled chicken with rice and then turn her nose up at it. Muffin's favorite Little Cesar meal was Filet Mignon!

If your little one likes fruits, have you tried mashing them? Don't know if that would help, but sometimes it does. I had a little chihuahua that lived to be 17 and in her last days we fed her liquified baby food in a dropper.

Another thing I did with Muffin was to feed her off of my finger because she couldn't see well anymore. I would put her in between my knees on the floor and she loved it. Let us know if anything works.

chachi · 08-24-2005, 12:00 PM

Both of my dogs goe crazy for little caesars also. It is the one soft food they will consistently eat.

sabrinasmom · 08-24-2005, 06:25 PM

My 10 year old Yorkie wouldn't eat anything for years and years. I cooked, mashed, bought every brand in the world and worried for 10 years. Right after I jointed YT I heard about Natures Balance and she dances around and flips her plate up now when she wants food. She can't wait.

We have had a couple of days when she was "off" and I used the baby food - turkey and gravy or beef and gravy. She'd eat about 1/2 jar and then off she went to find "her" food. I swear with these little toots that the feel of the food in their mouth is as important or more so than the food itself. The Natural Balance feels just like her Puperoni's that kept her alive this long - but now she has all the vitamins etc.

Hope this helps. I know the worries. If she doesn't eat at least 2 good meals a day - I'm fit to be tied. She's too small not to eat!

08-16-2005, 04:21 PM	#1
b.lisa Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sarasota, Fl Posts: 6	What is the solution? My 14 yr old yorkie, Kiwi, suddenly has no interest in eating. He stopped eating dog food about a month ago, and agreed to eat bits of pasta, vegies and some fruits. He is loosing his sight and hearing, but is otherwise healthy. In the last 2 wks, he sniffs his food and walks away. However, if I put it in my hand, he licks it. After much coaxing, he may eat a few bites. He plays and responds to me but the vet and I are concerned about his loss of appetite. What is going on? What to do? It's almost like he has forgotten that he needs to eat! I realize he cannot eat hard food anymore because of his teeth. He still has most of them but prefers soft food. I'm worried that he will get ill if he doesn't eat. He only weighs 3 lbs(lifetime weight) and cannot afford to avoid food. Help!

08-21-2005, 08:38 AM	#6
b.lisa Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sarasota, Fl Posts: 6	picky eaters! jennie, Well, I think you have reason for concern. Hopefully your baby is going to grow out of that phase and enjoy her food without a struggle. Kiwi continues to select vegetables and fruit but only certain ones and he only takes one bite and is finished. I'm going to go the liquid route and at least he gets the vitamins that way. This is a serious problem I hope we can all solve somehow! Thanks for your input. Kiwi and lisa Last edited by b.lisa; 08-21-2005 at 08:40 AM. Reason: mispelling

08-24-2005, 11:50 AM	#13
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,825	In the last months of Muffin's life, she wouldn't eat dry food or the canned equivalent. I was getting desperate, because I wanted so for her to eat well. She always loved to eat. One evening I picked up some Little Cesars dog food and she ate like a little pig! I didn't care if it wasn't the best thing in the world. I just wanted her to eat. She loved it and ate it the rest of her days. I don't know if their taste buds are like older humans or not, but I suspect that they are and sometimes things with more flavor taste better. Muffin would eat maybe a meal or two of boiled chicken or boiled chicken with rice and then turn her nose up at it. Muffin's favorite Little Cesar meal was Filet Mignon! If your little one likes fruits, have you tried mashing them? Don't know if that would help, but sometimes it does. I had a little chihuahua that lived to be 17 and in her last days we fed her liquified baby food in a dropper. Another thing I did with Muffin was to feed her off of my finger because she couldn't see well anymore. I would put her in between my knees on the floor and she loved it. Let us know if anything works. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

08-24-2005, 12:00 PM	#14
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 22,520	Both of my dogs goe crazy for little caesars also. It is the one soft food they will consistently eat. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

08-16-2005, 05:24 PM	#2
mstemason Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: mississippi Posts: 114	my last yorkie, Dexter, got to that point. I gave him some gerber chicKen and gravy baby food just a little at a time and starting adding it to his prescription dog food. Some day's he didn't eat much but once i got him started mixing it with the baby food he seemed to do better. Hope that helps and that he starts eating soon. Harley's mom

08-17-2005, 03:50 PM	#3
b.lisa Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sarasota, Fl Posts: 6	Dear Yorkie Yakker, Many thanks for your input for my problem. I am going to try your recommendation with the baby food and see if that helps. Sometimes I think Mr. Kiwi forgets he likes to eat , perhaps it's his age. I appreciate your concern! Thanks, Kiwi and lisa

08-17-2005, 05:16 PM	#5
jenni Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Calif Posts: 92	Boy I sympathize with you. I have this little one that has got to be the worlds worst eater. There is nothing that she really likes. Never once has she just woofed down food. It is a bite of this or a bite of that. Since her bout yesterday with hypoglycemia I am now so scared. I am giving her a pea size bit of nutracal every couple of hours to try to stimulate her appetite. Every single thing that has been suggested she just flat out will not eat. Today I mixed baby cereal with baby meat and used a syringe to get it into her. It is so frustrating I was almost in tears. Never in my life and all the dogs I have had have I ever had one like this, ever. So take some comfort in knowing that there is someone else that is fighting this battle with you!!

08-21-2005, 08:42 AM	#7
b.lisa Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sarasota, Fl Posts: 6	dear vms1177, Thanks for your kind words. kiwi and lisa

08-21-2005, 06:35 PM	#9
dianne YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 999	Sorry lisa I cant help you as I dont have an elderly dog but was wondering how you came to name your dog kiwi? hope everything works out for you dianne and prudence

08-22-2005, 01:29 PM	#10
b.lisa Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sarasota, Fl Posts: 6	i Dianne, My little kiwi 's mother 's name was Kiwi and that's the story!! Interesting enough though, Kiwi looks exactly like his DAD who was small and petite. Kiwi's mom was a larger version and kiwi's 2 brothers looked like her . Both brothers went on to become show dogs and both are gone now. kIWI the smallest of the three is going to be 14 this september. If only he would get his appetite back!!!!

08-23-2005, 04:16 PM	#11
spydergurl YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 508	One of my six year old yorkies is very fussy....she wouldn't hardly eat anything without me coaxing. Then I discovered Natures Balance turkey and beef rolls. ( They also have lamb, but I don't promote lamb anything.) Anyway, she loves it...never refuses it. You just follow directions on the roll, it tells you how much they should eat for their weight. And it has all the nutrients they need, and is pure meat...no fillers. Petco carries it. I give it to both of my 6 yr old yorkies, twice a day, cut up in little pieces. Try it!

08-24-2005, 11:26 AM	#12
b.lisa Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sarasota, Fl Posts: 6	Spydergurl, Thanks for the tip. Unfortunatly Kiwi, 3lbs, is prone to kidney problems and has been somewhat of a vegetarian for a long time. I try not to give him all protein for that reason. However, I will keep it in mind for my pomeranian! I love those beautiful faces in the pic!!!lisa

08-24-2005, 06:25 PM	#15
sabrinasmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: texas Posts: 767	My 10 year old Yorkie wouldn't eat anything for years and years. I cooked, mashed, bought every brand in the world and worried for 10 years. Right after I jointed YT I heard about Natures Balance and she dances around and flips her plate up now when she wants food. She can't wait. We have had a couple of days when she was "off" and I used the baby food - turkey and gravy or beef and gravy. She'd eat about 1/2 jar and then off she went to find "her" food. I swear with these little toots that the feel of the food in their mouth is as important or more so than the food itself. The Natural Balance feels just like her Puperoni's that kept her alive this long - but now she has all the vitamins etc. Hope this helps. I know the worries. If she doesn't eat at least 2 good meals a day - I'm fit to be tied. She's too small not to eat!