Newbie concerned about Yorkie

[irunnoft]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

Hi and WELCOME to YorkieTalk!

I love hearing how a Yorkie completely wins the heart of a guy who was not that in to small dogs. It has happened in our home to, my two furry girls have their skin dad wrapped around their little paws.

Sorry you're having some eating problems, and glad you are watching her closely. I am by no means an expert, but have gotten excellent advice and knowledge from other members on YT. I don't think backing off food for one day is a crisis, as long as she is still drinking water. Mine have had days when they don't eat as much, maybe associated with teething, or upset tummy when dad spoiled them with a bite of fatty people food, or can happen when they are coming in heat, or when they become bored with a particular brand of kibble. Continue to watch her for any additional symptoms, and if she absolutely refuses any food for another day, see the vet.

You might offer her something like a little boiled chicken, cottage cheese, or some scrambled egg. If you think she is constipated, give her a little canned pumpkin (plain, no spices); this is also good for diarrhea and other gastro problems.

Don't change dog foods abruptly. If you are changing kibble, do it very gradually, mixing new with the old slowly increasing over 2-3 weeks to avoid digestive problems. There is a sticky note about dog food reviews in the Health and Diet section, you might look into that if you are looking for a better quality food. My first pup came home on Eukanuba too, and I soon found out it wasn't the best.

Good luck and keep up posted.

First, I'd like to thank everybody for the WARM welcome and the good advice. So, again, thanks!

I put a tiny tiny tiny bit of chicken broth and two small pieces of boiled chicken in her food dish. She just ate half of her dish of food. Perhaps due to switching half of her kibble in her dish to Flint River (it's supposed to be a good brand), that may account for. . . um. . . how shall I say this? Her stinky gas! She's been laying on the bed beside me as I'm reading through the posts and the forum and she's just been passing one right after the other. I'm gagging over here!!!!

I never thought about the teething, but I really like the idea of breaking up her dog food in a baggie for her so that she can eat it better. Since she's at least six months (maybe six and a half), it is highly likely that she is teething. Her behavior has been normal, though. Still playful. She still does her little dance on her hind paws when I call her name. She's definitely not acting puny or sickly.

I'm just relieved she ate half a bowl of food. I just hope I didn't spoil her irreparably now that I've given her a tiny bit of broth and chicken!!!

GAG! Do they make Beano for Yorkies!!!???

[JoeyP]

I fret over mine as well ...
anytime they sneeze or cough I'm thinking about calling the Vet
But I'd watch her
Not eating can be from a lot of things
and Yorkies are VERY finicky
The sleeping? My Puppies sleep away most of the day
If she is playing with you ... and running around I think she's ok
I'd continue to watch her
lol .. as far as her gravitating to you
They go to the one with the strongest spirit
They are VERY good at that j

[MauiGirl]

Well, at least she IS eating. The gas can be from dietary changes especially the added protein of the chicken, or just her system getting ready for poo since she hasn't in over a day. Amazing how these adorable little furbabies can stink up a whole room with a fluffy (has been discussed on this forum many times).

There will be a lot more focus on dietary recommendations in the Health and Diet section (there are so many posts in the General section that they seem to get lost.)

Spoiling.... well, my Yorkie, Morkie and Schnauzer get a few tablespoons of chicken & brown rice sprinkled over their kibble every day, and sometimes a little cottage cheese, or eggs. It's not spoiling, it home-cooking for dogs, and is in keeping with my "liver challenged" Yorkie's needs for special diet. Since small dogs eat so little, it is desirable to give them the best possible food.

That's exciting that you are getting her a little sister. We did the same thing here, got a Yorkie, and fell so in love with her decided to get another when she was about 5 months old, though ended up with a Morkie girl. The 2 girls have so much fun with each other, it is awesome. They have had a few little jealousy spats, fighting over one particular toy, or over who gets to sleep on my pillow, but it is rare. I was advised that it would be better when they are both spayed, (they are 10 & 7 mo. now) but I'm waiting a while for that, and no problems. If you want lots of advice on adding a second pup, start a new post about it and you'll get lots of suggestions to make it all go smoothly.

[luvfla]

Welcome. irunnoft...did you get that from "Brother where art thou"? We love that movie!

[irunnoft]

Originally Posted by luvfla

Welcome. irunnoft...did you get that from "Brother where art thou"? We love that movie!

DING! DING! A winner! You win! You should feel very proud of yourself because so few people ever get that. One person actually thought that perhaps I was trying to say "I run no ft" or "I run no feet". I still get a chuckle out of that. A great movie. . . in fact, I think I'm going to put a certain Yorkie on my lap and watch that tonight. Provided the power stays on! It's getting cold in these mountains!

[txrosegirl]

i have nothing else to add as far as advice goes (since you got such great ideas already) but i wanted to welcome you and minnie to YT

miss buffey is quite the finicky eater too and used to go through periods of "protest" because she knew her momma would give in ... i finally found a good food she will gobble up everytime and she has been good ever since...my other kids would eat monkey snot or anything else on the floor-they are not picky!

[amandawash]

Welcome to YorkieTalk!!

I feed mine raw so I never have to worry about an off day, but when I fed kibble I always added a bit of fat-free plain yogurt or cottage cheese 2x a day to a little bit of kibble. For some reason that's just enough yummy-ness to get them to eat

Watch her tonight for vomitting and/or diarhea. She may get a little tummy upset from the switch in food so just watch for that. Good luck and we would love to see pictures!

[irunnoft]

I never thought I'd be so happy for the puppy to do her "business," but my wife just walked her and she did both! Yeah! Touchdown! I'm going to Disney World! Yippeeee!!!

[Katamami29]

I had that problem with Mia. I called the vet and this is what he advised.
First he told me this is only and only for when the dog wont eat.

He told me to buy gerber 2nd stage babyfood. Only the meat flavor ones.
This is only so they can get something in their stomach and open their appetite. Also you should only give her about two or three teaspoons.
Also Nutri-cal. The Nutrical has something that makes them eat. Usually they only need it when the're very very young but the vet told me to keep a tube around for those days Mia wont eat.

I changed her food thinking that would solve the problem but it didnt she still sometimes goes days when she wont want to eat. What I do is. (instructed by vet) when I take her for a walk I hand feed her her kibble.
The vet said that is the easiest way to force feed them. They are so eager to walk that if they see you wont let them walk until they take kibble from your and eat it. I just tell Mia. "take it" until she does.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck.

[speleogirl37]

Welcome to YT!! Hope all is well with your baby!!

HA HA!! I got it too! My husband, and I looove that movie. He knows it word for word

[Minniesmom]

Hi all,

I'm Minnie's other parent... I appreciate all the advice about our little Minnie. As both a mom and a nurse, I panic far less than my dear hubby, lol. The wait and see approach works 9 times out of 10--as was the case here. She just wolfed down (pardon the pun!) her bowl of food, which I had my hubby smash up with a rolling pin. Minnie has not lost her appetite at all--just got bored, I think! Thanks so much to all!!!!

[irunnoft]

Quick update --

It seems that, as several of you suggested, she is teething. I took her kibble and placed it in a ziplock baggie. Then I smashed it with a rolling pin (typical alpha male that I am ). I put that in her food dish and then sat down with her by her bowl. She came in just to see me and then sniffed her food dish. I encouraged her by saying "good girl" and then she started eating. Once she realized that it wasn't painful, she wolfed that food down! I was so happy I almost cried (NOT typical alpha male behavior ). So a BIG thanks to all who offered suggestions (especially about smashing her dried kibble) and that teething might be the cause of the problem. I'll certainly be better prepared when we bring "Lollipop," her new baby sister home in a few weeks.

Good grief. . . I'm going to be knee-deep in the Yorkies! But, they are just sooo cute!

My wife says it's the best present I ever got her.

[Yorkiekids]

Welcome to YT. You might try giving her some nutrical, as sometimes this starts them eating again. If it continues I'd take her to the vet.

[irunnoft]

Originally Posted by Minniesmom

Hi all,

I'm Minnie's other parent... I appreciate all the advice about our little Minnie. As both a mom and a nurse, I panic far less than my dear hubby, lol. The wait and see approach works 9 times out of 10--as was the case here. She just wolfed down (pardon the pun!) her bowl of food, which I had my hubby smash up with a rolling pin. Minnie has not lost her appetite at all--just got bored, I think! Thanks so much to all!!!!

Well. . . if it isn't the better half! And I do mean BETTER! Yeah, laugh it up honey! I was freaked out about the puppy. I've been the one complaining about all the "accidents" in the house and now God put me in a position where I was happy to clean them up today! I guess I should be careful what I wish for! Glad my wife joined the forum. Guess you all will be getting my side of the Yorkie stories as well as the truth!

[Katamami29]

Aww I feel left out. I'm going to look for that movie right now.