Hunger Strike

[Busderpuddle]

As some of you know, Ruby is a picky eater and tends to not eat for a day or two at a time. This wouldn't bother me if she wasn't losing weight. She is down to 56 lbs now and all her ribs stick out.

We have tried all kinds of mix ins, bought her higher calorie food, added parmesan, eggs, fish oil, extra treats through out the day, no treats at all, warm water on the kibble, sardines, salmon ketchup, etc......

Nothing is working. Last night she would not eat a bite, and this morning she didn't even sniff the food.

My husband and I are at the point of just saying "she will eat if she's hungry". This has been an issue from day one with her.

She literally looks like one of those dogs from the commercials who have been starving. She is happy and playful, enjoys her walks and scritches.

She has had several vet visits and there is nothing wrong, blood work looks normal, no worms. Vet just says to fatten her up a bit.

Does it sound reasonable to let her be so stinking skinny and not worry about it so much ?

[XTRAWLD]

I'm sorry she's continuing to refuse to eat. Have you tried any of those protein shakes? I can't do it for Kasey because it's allergic to the soy - but a drink like Boost or Ensure? I think last time you posted we also suggested Satin Balls. Did she eat any of that?

 

Not eating, for meals in a row is bothersome. Did you do any testing for worms/parasites or any bacterial infections?

[Guest IrskasMom]

I am there with Morty where you are with Ruby . There is nothing I could offer that sparked any kind of Interrest . It is by far most Frustrating

Edited January 18, 2015 by IrskasMom

[Busderpuddle]

I'm sorry she's continuing to refuse to eat. Have you tried any of those protein shakes? I can't do it for Kasey because it's allergic to the soy - but a drink like Boost or Ensure? I think last time you posted we also suggested Satin Balls. Did she eat any of that?

 

Not eating, for meals in a row is bothersome. Did you do any testing for worms/parasites or any bacterial infections?

no worms or parasites, she has been tested twice in the last 3 months. The satin balls are usually made with beef and she is allergic. I did make her some meatballs with ground turkey and she ate those, but I am not going to be cooking for her on a daily basis. I have made chicken jerky in my dehydrator and shredded it over her kibble and she won't eat that.

I tried a vanilla Boost but she wouldn't take a drink. I don't know what to do with her. So frustrating.

[nessa]

As mentioned in another thread with a non eating dog, there is a high calorie nutritional supplement like a paste in a tube I got at the vets office.. My dog that would not eat and had kidney disease loved it !!!!! My picky/ non eating at times dog is suddenly eating canned wet food by Merrick like it is crack??!!!

I do end up cooking for her but simple stuff like chicken breasts and ground turkey meat.

[Busderpuddle]

Here's the deal.........after skipping 3 meals, she gobbled up her bowl of kibble tonight because she had to be starving. I think she is yanking my chain and holding out for the better stuff, liked cooked chicken. I decided I was going to wait her out this time before any add ins, and it finally worked. She may be just a tad bit spoiled.

She is sleeping with a full tummy tonight. Princess.

[Guest normaandburrell]

So glad to hear she is doing better. I have been blessed with hounds that eat like they are never going to have another meal.

[Busderpuddle]

So glad to hear she is doing better. I have been blessed with hounds that eat like they are never going to have another meal.

You are LUCKY ! She has done this since day one. It is just frustrating to think she might be hungry. I never even put my children to bed without food in their tummys. Always seemed wrong to me.

No breakfast again this morning but she ate everything last night.

[XTRAWLD]

Kasey does pull this prank on me sometimes; holding out for something better.

 

You know your pup better than anyone. I would just recommend that if she is refusing to eat meal after meal after meal, there comes a point where she's not just holding out.....

 

If Kasey refused to eat anything after 2 days, (i.e. missed 4 complete meals and I'm crossing my fingers he won't refuse on the 5th) my alarms are sounding!

Edited January 19, 2015 by XTRAWLD

[kikibean]

Canned Grammys Pot Pie by Merrick is great to get them to eat. We keep it on hand just in case. It seems to agree with most of their stomachs. We've had very few dogs turn their noses up at it.

 

Grammy's Pot Pie

 

Will she eat peanut butter sandwiches?

[Busderpuddle]

She will not eat peanut butter sandwiches. She doesn't like peanut butter, which is so weird.

She ate her dinner again tonight but not breakfast. Of course I put shredded chicken on the kibble. She is just being a stinker and holding out for the better stuff.

[Hawthorn]

I wonder if she has a mild, chronic pancreatitis. Does she ever show any signs of being uncomfortable after eating, even just not being able to settle, or stretching?

[sobesmom]

Here's the deal.........after skipping 3 meals, she gobbled up her bowl of kibble tonight because she had to be starving. I think she is yanking my chain and holding out for the better stuff, liked cooked chicken. I decided I was going to wait her out this time before any add ins, and it finally worked. She may be just a tad bit spoiled.

She is sleeping with a full tummy tonight. Princess.

My Diana spent most of her life with me being that "oh my gosh your dog looks like she's starving" dog. She had Dragon-spines, and visible ribs for most of her life. I tried EVERYTHING to fatten her up for a while. The I gave up. Straight kibble, twice per day. Plus the occasional raw bone, raw that's on sale very occasionally, and dinner leftovers that we want to get rid of that I feed all greys. I quit bothering to add more than she would eat, because she wouldn't eat it. She ate what she needed. And she's been healthy, active, happy and outgoing for years and years being skinny. She went from age 2-9 as a scrawny dog. Now, she's rounded out to "normal" looking. Still thin, but not so many jutting bones.

 

If there are no medical issues - she'll eat when she's hungry. Deal with it. You might just have that skinny dog. IT HAPPENS.

 

Now - if you read a recent post of mine you'll call me a hypocrite. After YEARS of being an "eat it or leave it" person..... I'm starting to fuss a bit about Diana's eating. She's 10 now, and eating even less than normal. But after consulting GT I'm mostly sticking with "eat it or leave it". Except more add-ins of leftovers and some homecooked stuff. But only because she's older and if something happens and she drops weight quick that's not cool. But I would NOT do it for a younger dog. Heck, I wouldn't do it if we had another dog in the house.

 

Stick to your guns. Eat it or leave it. If she's healthy, it's fine.

[Busderpuddle]

HA HA ............She is on the Eat it or Leave it plan. I will occasionally break down and try something else out of guilt. but I have been trying not to worry too much. It's hard though.

[Guest GreyHawk]

Bet your dog really loves you. Would you treat a child like this ?

[greysmom]

Actually, yes. My mother would tell us to eat what she served or nothing until the next meal - no snacks, no treats.

 

(I don't know Ruby's whole history, so forgive me if I'm repeating things you've already posted about.)

 

Have you ever had any veterinary testing done for allergies or food intolerances? Had a scope or biopsy of her digestive tract? An abdominal ultrasound? Visited with an veterinary specialist? Are her stools *always* soft and mushy to diarrhea-like? Does she ever have loud stomach sounds? Any vomiting after eating or on an empty stomach? Have you ever tried a longer course of metronidazole or Tylan powder? Has she had three "clean" fecal tests over a 6 month period?

 

There are a lot of things that could be medically wrong with her that wouldn't show up just on bloodwork or fecal testing - further food intolerances, IBD, chronic pancreatitis, kidney or liver disease (though her bloodwork levels would be off), splenic tumor, and others.

 

A healthy dog - even a spoiled one - shouldn't refuse to eat long enough to lose weight. Missing a meal or two, or changing from two meals a day to one, choosing to only eat at night or in the morning, especially as the dog ages, wouldn't worry me. But refusing food enough to take weight off is concerning and should be investigated further medically.

[Feisty49]

Bet your dog really loves you. Would you treat a child like this ?

 

As said above, pretty much. I too had to eat what was on the plate or go hungry. As my mom said, and I told my son, the kitchen is not a restaurant.

 

My Annie often gets picky about eating breakfast, but she always eats supper. If she hasn't eaten her breakfast within 30 minutes after it's been put down, it gets picked up. Maybe that's why she always eats supper.

 

ETA: Ya know, I wasn't going to say anything negative, but I know Karen, the OP of this topic, and she *does really* love her dog. Who are you to judge her like that? We reach out to one another for advice and support and writing something nasty like this is neither.

Edited January 22, 2015 by Feisty49

[Guest IrskasMom]

Karen , we are on the same Page. Morty ate 5 Portions yesterday , not big ones but always with a cup of Kibbles mixed in with other Stuff. Today his Breakfast is still sitting ( it is 6:30 PM ) there untouched . Just like your Ruby , he is Skin and Bones , weighs 56 lb. I feel guilty of starving him to Death . What is there to do ??

[Busderpuddle]

 

 

ETA: Ya know, I wasn't going to say anything negative, but I know Karen, the OP of this topic, and she *does really* love her dog. Who are you to judge her like that? We reach out to one another for advice and support and writing something nasty like this is neither.

 

Thank you Marla, I appreciate the support. I have no idea what GreyHawk had in mind when he/she wrote that nasty comment. Obviously didn't read the rest of my thread where I said that I had tried all kinds of mix-ins and yummies to get her to eat. And yes, my children were also told the kitchen was not a restaurant. They actually all 3 survived and are healthy adults.

 

As for her having any tummy issues Greysmom, she has been to the vet twice in the last 2 months and had negative fecal tests each time. She also has no signs of tummy upset, her teeth look great and the vet sees nothing wrong with her many many labs she has had done.

I honestly think she is just being really picky and is going to be one of those skinny girls.

 

And Morty...........quit giving your mama so many worries !!!

[Busderpuddle]

I wonder if she has a mild, chronic pancreatitis. Does she ever show any signs of being uncomfortable after eating, even just not being able to settle, or stretching?

No, she has never looked uncomfortable at all after eating. I did ask the vet about this at her last visit and he had no concerns at all. In 4 years she has vomited once, and that was about a month ago and before she ate anything. Nothing since then though and she will eagerly gobble up treats.

[Hawthorn]

The signs of chronic pancreatitis can be very subtle.

 

"In some cases, signs may be as subtle and nonspecific as a dog not wanting to play normally, being a picky eater, or skipping a meal from time to time........Chronic pancreatitis is often subclinical and may be more common than is generally realized ......." (http://dogaware.com/articles/wdjpancreatitis.html)

 

With my Sophie, the first sign is that she will sniff her breakfast and walk away or she might eat half her breakfast and then walk away.

 

 

[Burpdog]

If she will eat cooked turkey meatballs, I would cook every day if necessary. You indicate she has lost too much weight. Something is wrong -- dogs don't personalize emotions like we do.

 

If you can't cook every day, why not make a batch and freeze them and pull them out when you need them?

 

Try cooked meat or different grain free kibbles. If there is one ingredient she doesn't like or need in a dog food, she will refuse to eat it. I rely more on their nose than my sight. Remember: they can smell every ingredient in the food, not just "dog food" like we smell.

 

Magic ate rotisserre (sp) chicken from WalMart every day for 13 months except for a few times she ate kibble and once or twice roast beef. They eat what they need, not what we want them to eat!

[Busderpuddle]

I will check with the vet again about the pancreatitis. Thanks.

[Hawthorn]

And/or you could just feed her a very low-fat, moderate protein diet for a while and see if she improves.

[Guest Lillypad]

I like your way of thinking Burpdog. I tend to agree "They eat what they need and not what we want them to eat" I don't really think they yank our chains about getting something tasty. Yes for sure they are fabulous mooches. Mine will stare me down till I share, but if she does not like it, she will sniff and walk away.

 

I want to suggest a raw diet for Ruby.... I know, I know... it is always about the raw with me. I also very well know raw is not a "cure all". But in this case seems you have tried everything, short of standing on your head... so why not give it a try.

 

I just know this.. I was pet sitting a little toy poodle for a friend, she flat out refused to eat, she wanted Lilly's raw dinner but bad. At one point I even had to chase her down the hall after she stole a chuck of beef from Lilly almost as large as she was (still giggling) . It got to the point I thought I was going to loose her before her owner returned. The only way I could convince her to eat her kibble was to take her to her own house and feed her there, then bring her back here for sitting. Can you believe that stubbornness against the kibble. I really did that, and it worked, but I felt like a fraud, a heel cause I knew in my heart what she wanted and what she needed. Her owner was not of the mind set to consider a raw diet. The poodle ate what was given pretty much just to survive.

Edited January 31, 2015 by Lillypad