Help! My Yorkie won't eat

[Archie's Mom]

I'm at wit's end. My 13-week-old Yorkie will not eat reliably. He has had two hypoglycemic attacks in a month's time -- the first landed him in the hospital for two days. He has no interest in his puppy kibble (Proplan puppy liver and rice, which he woofed down at the breeder) or wet dog food, but will eat my own ground beef and rice concoction sometimes (usually for about two days). After the first hypoglycemic attack, the vet said to keep Karo syrup around and give him some if he shows signs of going under, then try to feed him 15-30 minutes afterward. This worked with the second attack and we avoided a hospital stay. I now give him a little Karo each morning, which he laps down. He ate pretty well for a couple of days, but yesterday went back to his old habits. He ate very little of the ground beef and rice and turned his nose up at a scrambled egg. He has no interest in cheese, peanut butter or fruits like banana (like every other normal dog in the world!), and he ignores his healthier treats for Beggin Strips, which, strangely, he will eat right down. His vet gave me Nutrical, which he will sometimes eat if I’m desperate to get some calories in him. Friends have suggested chicken livers, Creamettes with chicken or beef broth and a sweet potato (today’s shopping list). Has anyone had a similar problem getting their pup to eat? He has been to the vet and there is nothing physically wrong with him. He stays at home all day alone in a playpen in which I have put his open crate, food, toys and piddle pads. He hates me to leave him. Could this behavior be linked to that? I am desperate to keep my little sweetie alive and well. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[JeanieK]

Being hypoglycemic in itself will cause them not to eat. If he isn't eating while you are gone his sugar might be low enough by the time you get home that he feels ill and will not eat.

My suggestion is to put karo in his water, that way if he is at least drinking he will get sugar. And if he refuses food, try giving him karo and then offer food. Once his sugar level is up he might feel like eating.

I get low sugar occasionally and the last thing I feel like doing is eating.

I hope that helps.

Welcome to YT.

[Kobesmomma]

Kobe used to have spells where he would not eat. He would usually drop weight and we would panick. We give him cooked oats (quaker quick oats), pumpkin (libby 100% pumpkin), scrambled egg, and cottage cheese or plain yogurt. Since we have started this he has not had a single episode. If left separate on the plate he will always eat the pumpkin first.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Welcome to you and Archie. I know that this is very stressful especially since they are such little babies. Georgie went through 4 different dry foods until he finally found one he likes (it's a natural food called Candidae). I say he likes it but I think it's only because his Mommy (me of course) puts a little dab about 1/4 tsp. of plain yogurt in it or cottage cheese. He also loves boiled chicken so I mix it up between those 3 things. He loved Nutrical but got wise to the game when the vet gave it to him so he could get his shots so that doesn't work anymore. I hope Archie starts eating regularly and I think trying the yogurt and/or cottage cheese will help.....Georgie actually stands over his bowl and eats it's his food like our Boxer does

[Archie's Mom]

Thanks to all for their ideas. This little guy is going to be inundated with food in the next few days. I feel like it's a battle of wills (He's very stubborn --a Yorkie trait?)!

[chachi]

When Chachi wouldnt eat I mixed his food with cottage cheese and he ate it. Also some of the pickiest eaters will eat LIl Caesars food

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by Archie's Mom

Thanks to all for their ideas. This little guy is going to be inundated with food in the next few days. I feel like it's a battle of wills (He's very stubborn --a Yorkie trait?)!

Oh definitely a Yorkie trait (stubborn).

[sondra2004]

When Peanut(7months) wont eat I give him baby food (chicken) and chicken sticks. And of course boiled chicken .He wont eat rice! My vet said to try Cream of wheat he hated it.Good luck,Sondra

[Baby Blessing]

Hi, this sounds very familiar, we went through the not eating period. I was so worried
and was hand feeding Baby Blessing which was not a good habit to form. I finally came
across the Royal Canine 33 puppyformula ( it's a dry food and is quite small) it was
so much easier for her to eat. In order to intice her into becoming a good eater, at first
I got the Pup-Roni beef sticks and placed into the container so it would absorb the dry food would absorb the smell of the Pup-Roni, it worked great. Then it wasn't long and she was happy to eat it without doing all the prep work :-) I hope your Archie gets
to eating, maybe even a bit of cooked white chicken meat mixed in at first might help.
Look forward to hearing he is adjusted to his good eating habits. Have a nice evening.
By the way I notice you are new to YT, WELCOME you are going to love this site, it is
great. Patti and ~~Baby Blessing~~