My new 23 m. shaky non eater yorkie - YorkieTalk.com Forums

so_purrfect_24 · 10-13-2005, 09:33 PM

Ok I'm lost on what to do. We were given a 23 month old yorkie. he has issues, was attacked by a bigger dog that apparently ripped up his throat so he obviously cant eat bigger food. That is how the people found him in that condition rushed him to the vet and got him back on his feet. Plus he shakes all the time sometimes just when you go to pet him like he's scared of you but sometimes he dont shake at all on you i'm confused. It's like he's scared or freezing (but it's not cold)hum.....
Also, he only want's to eat soft pedigree dog food, but i heard yorkies have alot of teeth problems that they need to eat dry food. he refuses! he will eat 'people food' even right down to broken up cracker's lol. (my daughter lol) but i'm kinda worried. Am i doing him no service giving him the soft food? Or should i stand my ground and insist on dry? I'm lost. any advice i'll appreciate!!

jesscruz · 10-14-2005, 12:53 AM

WELCOME TO YT!!!!

poor little guy, after an encounter like that i would be shaking in my fur too

i'd say spoil him rotten with affection and attention, he is still scared of you and it will probabaly take him some time to adjust. but in time i am sure he will learn to trust you. about the food, you can try to maybe mix in the dry and wet and little by little pull out the wet. they will not starve themselves they will eat when they get hungry. or you can stick with dry and kinda crush some of the dry food so it;ll be easier for him to get it down his throte. also you can brush his teeth, but i wouldn't do that until you have gained his trust and until he is usto you already, since most babies hate it. but if you want you can also take him to your vet and have a scaling done on his teeth, until he starts eating his hard food, i hope i helped you even just a little.

speck103 · 10-14-2005, 02:15 AM

I agree. It's going to take quite some time and patience because of the trauma he has been through. You might want to try some different types of hard food. I used to have a picky eater but there are certain foods that different yorkies prefer. Make sure that you pet him alot always on his level and pay him lot's of attention. Avoid raising your voice or aggressive loud noises to help him not be so scared. Good luck and let us know how things go!

so_purrfect_24 · 10-14-2005, 03:43 AM

thanks so much for the advice!! very helpful. i will let you all know

schatzie · 10-14-2005, 06:01 AM

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. Your fur baby has been through so many painful experience both mentally and physically. Id shower him with love and affection and in time he should trust you.

Regarding the diet what does your vet suggest? If it's really difficult for him to eat dry kibble id give moist high quality doggie food. Since you are concerned about the well being of his teeth maybe take him in often to the vet for cleanings and checkups??

I think him shaking is he is just sooo nervous and not trusting yet of his surroundings. Patience and a lots of love should bring him around.

lovem · 10-15-2005, 06:50 PM

I have a non-eating Yorkie that I joined this forum just to get some help! I also understand the shaking. My little Christopher had a first hard year and came to me after that. I have learned that when he shakes, he is hurt, scared, or sick. He is a very independent little guy but wants to be held at those times. Once upon arriving back home, he met me with his head down, his tail tucked and shaking. It took me a little while, but I finally was able to figure that he had somehow twisted his leg, and we took a trip to the vet. I echo what the others have said, at those times, patience is needed, but give him LOTS of love and attention and those times will get further and further apart. He is a lucky little fellow to have someone who cares.

Ruth

chachi · 10-15-2005, 07:16 PM

Poor thing sounds like hes been through so much!! I would only give him dry that comes in very small kibble. Royal Canin has a small kibble as others I am sure. You could mix the moist with the dry or mix it with cottage cheese or shredded cheese. I hope he does better for you. It just breaks my heart to hear stories like yours. Oh and my female shakes too sometimes they just shake because they get too excited.

YorkieShadow · 10-15-2005, 07:26 PM

Hello and Welcome. Im mommy to Mickey and Minnie. Your fur-babies sounds like hes had a rough time so far . I agree give him all the attention you can. I would also give him both hard and soft food. a little rice and chicken too.

yorkieusa · 10-15-2005, 07:46 PM

I would be concerned that he may be hypoglycemic if he's shaking a lot. Have you tried Nutri-Cal at those times? Just food for thought.

yorkieusa · 10-15-2005, 07:53 PM

I should add that I would check with a GOOD vet to see exactly what condition his throat is in and if it might be uncomfortable for him to eat dry food before I would try to make him eat it.

milliecorrales · 10-15-2005, 08:45 PM

between wet and dry would be to feed them what I feed my boys, I give them eukanaba kibble mixed with chopped natural balance lamb and rice roll. I also heat in the microwave just enough to warm it all the way through, my Bengie was given very strong antibiotics when he was a pup and that damaged his enamel in his teeth so his teeth are very sensitive and the hard kibble is harder for him to eat. I also feed them scrambled eggs with cheese on Sunday mornings and sometimes I treat them to chopped sausages. It will take some time for him to get over his bad experiences, but with time and love it can be accomplished you will just have to be very patient and loving wiht the little guy, good luck.

blades · 10-16-2005, 04:17 PM

Well it sounds like your doggie found its guardian angel. I would tend to think that your priority right now would be to give him as secure a feeling as possible. I give my dogs a mixture of dry and wet food- maybe that would be they way to go. If he still refuses to eat the dry, I would stick with the soft and try some hard treats. Mine have had their teeth cleaned twice by the vet. Hope this helps!
Oh- mine shake too when they are very scared- especially when it thunders!

so_purrfect_24 · 10-16-2005, 05:35 PM

well he's doing better i took your advice and put some water in with his beneful and got it soft then i even chopped it all up just to be sure he could swollow easily and he eat's it!! yes! but we are going to try to get him into the vet one day this week. i'm keeping my finger's crossed!
I dont think the people who had him before took very good care of him they told me he was 5 but his vet paper's say he is 2 next month. so hum...plus i'd love to find out about his throat and shakes as well. thanks sooo much you all!

mustangbee · 10-17-2005, 08:38 PM

Oh poor little baby!!!
I'd let him eat any thing he wants,
It will take a few weeks for him to
feel loved, but I'm sure he will come around.
He hasn't had a happy life, so he's really
not sure what's next. Spoil the baby,
and in time, he will spoil you with love.

Please keep us posted!
Welcome to YT!!!!!

Wrenee4 · 10-18-2005, 11:02 AM

Perhaps you could first try to water down some kibble and mash it with a fork. Then slowly add less and less water and less mashing. Kind of like how you wean a puppy to food until he is eating hard food. It may be worth a try!

10-13-2005, 09:33 PM	#1
so_purrfect_24 Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Campbell Posts: 4	My new 23 m. shaky non eater yorkie Ok I'm lost on what to do. We were given a 23 month old yorkie. he has issues, was attacked by a bigger dog that apparently ripped up his throat so he obviously cant eat bigger food. That is how the people found him in that condition rushed him to the vet and got him back on his feet. Plus he shakes all the time sometimes just when you go to pet him like he's scared of you but sometimes he dont shake at all on you i'm confused. It's like he's scared or freezing (but it's not cold)hum..... Also, he only want's to eat soft pedigree dog food, but i heard yorkies have alot of teeth problems that they need to eat dry food. he refuses! he will eat 'people food' even right down to broken up cracker's lol. (my daughter lol) but i'm kinda worried. Am i doing him no service giving him the soft food? Or should i stand my ground and insist on dry? I'm lost. any advice i'll appreciate!!

10-14-2005, 12:53 AM	#2
jesscruz YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: seaside,ca Posts: 1,764	WELCOME TO YT!!!! poor little guy, after an encounter like that i would be shaking in my fur too i'd say spoil him rotten with affection and attention, he is still scared of you and it will probabaly take him some time to adjust. but in time i am sure he will learn to trust you. about the food, you can try to maybe mix in the dry and wet and little by little pull out the wet. they will not starve themselves they will eat when they get hungry. or you can stick with dry and kinda crush some of the dry food so it;ll be easier for him to get it down his throte. also you can brush his teeth, but i wouldn't do that until you have gained his trust and until he is usto you already, since most babies hate it. but if you want you can also take him to your vet and have a scaling done on his teeth, until he starts eating his hard food, i hope i helped you even just a little. __________________ mommy's little baby coco bear Last edited by jesscruz; 10-14-2005 at 12:56 AM.

10-14-2005, 06:01 AM	#5
schatzie *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tontitown Arkansas Posts: 4,909	Welcome to Yorkie Talk. Your fur baby has been through so many painful experience both mentally and physically. Id shower him with love and affection and in time he should trust you. Regarding the diet what does your vet suggest? If it's really difficult for him to eat dry kibble id give moist high quality doggie food. Since you are concerned about the well being of his teeth maybe take him in often to the vet for cleanings and checkups?? I think him shaking is he is just sooo nervous and not trusting yet of his surroundings. Patience and a lots of love should bring him around. __________________ ~~~~ Schatzie and Ransom ~~~~

10-15-2005, 06:50 PM	#6
lovem Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Roanoke VA Posts: 14	I relate! I have a non-eating Yorkie that I joined this forum just to get some help! I also understand the shaking. My little Christopher had a first hard year and came to me after that. I have learned that when he shakes, he is hurt, scared, or sick. He is a very independent little guy but wants to be held at those times. Once upon arriving back home, he met me with his head down, his tail tucked and shaking. It took me a little while, but I finally was able to figure that he had somehow twisted his leg, and we took a trip to the vet. I echo what the others have said, at those times, patience is needed, but give him LOTS of love and attention and those times will get further and further apart. He is a lucky little fellow to have someone who cares. Ruth

10-15-2005, 07:16 PM	#7
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 23,257	Poor thing sounds like hes been through so much!! I would only give him dry that comes in very small kibble. Royal Canin has a small kibble as others I am sure. You could mix the moist with the dry or mix it with cottage cheese or shredded cheese. I hope he does better for you. It just breaks my heart to hear stories like yours. Oh and my female shakes too sometimes they just shake because they get too excited. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

10-14-2005, 02:15 AM	#3
speck103 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Montclair, CA Posts: 249	I agree. It's going to take quite some time and patience because of the trauma he has been through. You might want to try some different types of hard food. I used to have a picky eater but there are certain foods that different yorkies prefer. Make sure that you pet him alot always on his level and pay him lot's of attention. Avoid raising your voice or aggressive loud noises to help him not be so scared. Good luck and let us know how things go!

10-14-2005, 03:43 AM	#4
so_purrfect_24 Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Campbell Posts: 4	thanks so much for the advice!! very helpful. i will let you all know

10-15-2005, 07:26 PM	#8
YorkieShadow Yorkie Shadows are the best Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 8,436 Blog Entries: 1	Hello and Welcome. Im mommy to Mickey and Minnie. Your fur-babies sounds like hes had a rough time so far . I agree give him all the attention you can. I would also give him both hard and soft food. a little rice and chicken too. __________________ Now Taking Orders Business cards, Labels, Holiday cards

10-15-2005, 07:46 PM	#9
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,841	I would be concerned that he may be hypoglycemic if he's shaking a lot. Have you tried Nutri-Cal at those times? Just food for thought. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

10-15-2005, 07:53 PM	#10
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,841	I should add that I would check with a GOOD vet to see exactly what condition his throat is in and if it might be uncomfortable for him to eat dry food before I would try to make him eat it. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

10-15-2005, 08:45 PM	#11
milliecorrales YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 516	Kinda of a cross between wet and dry would be to feed them what I feed my boys, I give them eukanaba kibble mixed with chopped natural balance lamb and rice roll. I also heat in the microwave just enough to warm it all the way through, my Bengie was given very strong antibiotics when he was a pup and that damaged his enamel in his teeth so his teeth are very sensitive and the hard kibble is harder for him to eat. I also feed them scrambled eggs with cheese on Sunday mornings and sometimes I treat them to chopped sausages. It will take some time for him to get over his bad experiences, but with time and love it can be accomplished you will just have to be very patient and loving wiht the little guy, good luck.

10-16-2005, 04:17 PM	#12
blades Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: cherry hill Posts: 69	Well it sounds like your doggie found its guardian angel. I would tend to think that your priority right now would be to give him as secure a feeling as possible. I give my dogs a mixture of dry and wet food- maybe that would be they way to go. If he still refuses to eat the dry, I would stick with the soft and try some hard treats. Mine have had their teeth cleaned twice by the vet. Hope this helps! Oh- mine shake too when they are very scared- especially when it thunders!

10-16-2005, 05:35 PM	#13
so_purrfect_24 Yorkie Talk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Campbell Posts: 4	well he's doing better i took your advice and put some water in with his beneful and got it soft then i even chopped it all up just to be sure he could swollow easily and he eat's it!! yes! but we are going to try to get him into the vet one day this week. i'm keeping my finger's crossed! I dont think the people who had him before took very good care of him they told me he was 5 but his vet paper's say he is 2 next month. so hum...plus i'd love to find out about his throat and shakes as well. thanks sooo much you all!

10-17-2005, 08:38 PM	#14
mustangbee Donating YT 9000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 10,285	Oh poor little baby!!! I'd let him eat any thing he wants, It will take a few weeks for him to feel loved, but I'm sure he will come around. He hasn't had a happy life, so he's really not sure what's next. Spoil the baby, and in time, he will spoil you with love. Please keep us posted! Welcome to YT!!!!! __________________ Friends are God's way of apologizing for our relatives. "Love & Support Our YT Members" Gina & Princess Member of the SSLS

10-18-2005, 11:02 AM	#15
Wrenee4 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,477	Perhaps you could first try to water down some kibble and mash it with a fork. Then slowly add less and less water and less mashing. Kind of like how you wean a puppy to food until he is eating hard food. It may be worth a try! __________________ ~Wendy~