Not eating..help!

[Laylas mommy]

I posted a really long message, but for some reason it did not post =( I'm new here and I hope this one works. I have a 13 week old baby, and she will not eat or drink anything and I mean anything! I have tried everything on this board and others. She went to the vet yesterday and is healthy. I force feed and water her. I have had her for 2 weeks now and she has gained weight. She was 1.5 lbs when I got her and she is 2.15 as of yesterday. I want to be able to enjoy my baby and her enjoy me, but as of right now it is a eating battle =( I am very aware of hypoglycemia and it makes me so nervous (had a chihuahua that only weighed 2.5 full grown). I have even tried homemade food and treats with no luck! Nutri-Cal forget about it, she spits it at me. She is very loving and wants nothing else then to cuddle with me, but I am just exhausted with fighting every two hours for her to eat and consume water..argg! It's not fair for either of us, PLEASE any HELP! Has anyone else had this happen? I don't know what to do she is catching on to every trick...HELP!!

[kjc]

Hi and Welcome to YT!

A 13 week old does not need to eat every two hours. You have to let her go long enough in between so she'll feel hungry, then she'll go eat. If you keep force feeding her, she'll never feel hungry and won't eat on her own.

[Laylas mommy]

Every food source I have read is what I try to feed her. What is the average for her weight that she should eat? I have to give her water as well. I understand what you are saying, but if I go longer then 2 hours she gets in a slump and won't eat at all =( I have really tried everything. She will not eat by herself, and if I try to do the whole her eat when she wants she will not! She has already been close to going into hypoglycemic shock by feeding as you normally would. I am just at a loss as what to do. I let her nibble on her own until then, and she was taking a couple bites here and there. So what do you suggest then? If I don't every 2 to 3 her blood sugar gets low because she will only do 2 to 3 bites at a time..I'm all ears..

[Laylas mommy]

She wants nothing to do with anything I put in front of her, so I should say by force feeding I mean she will take a couple bites every 2-3 hours. Only way she will actually eat something! Thats why I do it every couple hours.

[kjc]

What food was she eating when you got her from the breeder?

[kjc]

Did the vet do any bloodwork or xrays?

[Laylas mommy]

science diet is the food she told me she was on, but did not bring any when we met up. I immed. went and bought some and she never ate one piece of it! The Vet did lots of test, but not an x-ray. She said she is healthy and knows about her not eating and me feeding her. She said it could be behavioral. Every time she knows its time to eat and I get food out she starts yawning out of control

[AngelFae]

Have you tried wetting her food? Or just another brand?
Once of Blazer's brothers was SUPER picky when it came to food in his new home. He wouldn't even eat the food that the breeder had the pups on onsite! It took a lot of tries but they finally hit on something that he liked. Have you tried raw feeding? Blazer's mom wouldn't really after having the pups unless she was given green beans, then we could sneak kibble in with them and she'd eat it that way.

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by Laylas mommy

Every time she knows its time to eat and I get food out she starts yawning out of control

Just as a little side-line - not Harry our Yorkie, but Rosie our labrador used to do uncontrollable yawning when she was nervous or anxious.....

I wonder if it's becoming a bit of a battle between you - they can FEEL your tension, and her little tummy probably tightens up too - not a happy relaxed atmosphere for mealtimes....

For the next few days, I'd make her meal (be it home-cooked, raw or whatever) and just leave it down, see what happens, let her do it at her own pace for a while.....and try not to worry!!!! Good luck! Sally x