Bunker isn't eating a thing!
 

I have accepted a year-old Yorkie (Bunker) from a good friend who could not handle two dogs, a full-time job, and college. She was always at work or school, and fed the dogs inconsistently.

I've been taking care of Bunker since Saturday, and since then, he has not eaten a full bowl of his food. I don't know exactly what type of mix it is, as my friend just gave me a ziploc-bag full, but I was told Bunker usually eats a whole bowl-full. Sometimes I can get him to eat a few bites if he's sitting near me and I bring his bowl over. Otherwise, he won't eat voluntarily.

I am very worried! He's a bigger Yorkie, about 8-9 pounds, and I don't want him losing weight because he's starving! I can seriously hear his stomach growling but he just won't eat anything! awe...

Also, is it normal for him to be laying around so much? He seems so sad all the time, and just wanting to sleep. He sits by the door when I leave and is excited when I come home, but in between, he just lays next to me. I'm thinking he may be missing his original owner and/or maybe her other dog. Could this be contributing to Bunker's undesire to eat? And if so, how can I help my poor new sweetheart?

Please help...

Cook him some chicken and mix it up with the kibble. If he doesn't eat that, then give him the chicken straight. He really needs to eat asap!

For a quick fix, you could also buy him chicken sticks for babies by Gerber. It's called Graduates. Otis loves those and I usually feed that to him when he has loss of appetite.

With my foster dogs it took about 2 weeks to see the full personality of the dog.
They are waiting......waiting to go back home. Once they figure out that they are home they seem to accept it and do well. Some of them are afraid thinking the did something bad and so they do as little as possible. It can be a confusing time for them.
I would be concerned about the eating and would even make a little treat by adding rice or a small ammount of gravy to the food. Just keep telling the dog how wonderful it is. The dog could more depressed over missing the other dog. Our dog Comic seemed happy to see some of our foster dogs leave but would be very depressed about loosing others. I think you will see a different dog in a couple of weeks, a happy perky one. :animal-sm

Poor little guy! I am sure he is confused. He needs lots of positive happy words and gestures right now. I'm sure he'll come around after he knows everything is ok.

Sounds like he is grieving to me. Needs lots and lots of tender, loving care. Needs to eat to stay well, though.

What is his weight ? I have 4 girls and it is extremely rare that they finish their bowls of food . Sometimes , they are like humans , some have little appetite , some have big appetite .

I was thinking that if she had 2 dogs and wasn't there she can't be sure that Bunker was finishing his bowl, maybe the other dog was eating it too. He won't starve, my vet always says if they get hungry enough they will eat. But since he is also going through an emotional time a little more TLC and special food is probably the way to go. He'll come around. We always called it the "company manners" when a new dog was quiet and shy the first few days. Good luck and congrats on getting a yorkie!

How old does the dog have to be to give him the Gerber snacks?