not eating

[Guest Anonymous]

Just recently, Rocky (my 1 yr old Pit/Boxer mix) started to refuse his food. He's been eating the same brand (Science Diet) since he was 8 wks old. All of a sudden he doesn't want to eat it. I have no idea what could be wrong with him. Has anyone experienced this?

[Guest Anonymous]

Does he eat anything at all? If not check his teeth. Something maybe wrong with his teeth.

[GizmoRedNosePit]

maybe try another type of food, if this goes on long enough you may want to call the vet or just leave the food out, he will get hungry enough to eat it! :roll: Just being stubborn, I changed gizmo from Iams to Nutro Max and she loves it!

[Aroura]

Have you ruled out injury? He could have an object stuck in his intestines eg golf ball, I've heard of alot of dogs that get it! It is serious though, if he still doesn't eat I'd take him to the vet just incase or his intestines could start to rot where it is stuck.
Do you leave his food out all day or give him controlled mealtimes? I prefer to feed the latter, then you can moniter more closely what your dog is eating etc, also because naturally dogs only eat once or twice a week, it is unatural for them to have food out all day. If you do feed only once or twice daily never leave the food out for more than 5 minutes if it doesn't finnish it.
Have you tried tempting your dog with something like fresh meat mixed in? I used to have to do this with Lily before I switched her over to BARF, no matter what I fed her she wouldn't eat and she got so skinny I worried! I put yoghurt, mashed spuds, whatever I could to make her eat and she was still skinny. After a fortnight of BARF she is all muscle and perfect weight!
Don't panic too much about the golf ball thing though, hes probably just being stubborn1!! :lol:

[Guest roo]

How is he in himself?
Is everything else about him ok.Is it hot where you are, the heat can effect the appetite.
Is he still going to the loo ok.
Roo

[Guest Anonymous]

a few weeks ago, we changed him to the Light formula because he needed to lose a few pounds. He ate that food for about a week and a half before he started to refuse it, so I went out and bought him his regular adult formula. He was eating his regular food just fine until early yesterday. He skipped both lunch and dinner. So this morning, when he refused to eat his food again, we tried to give him the pups food (same brand...just PUPPY formula). At first he hesitated, but then he ate it. I'm not sure if it's just something is the ADULT and LIGHT formulas or if something is wrong??? He eats Milkbones with no problem. Other than his eating, he is completely normal. He's been very active and he plays with the pup like he normally does.

He's on a schedule when it comes to feeding. They eat in the morning,afternoon and evening. If they don't eat it when we put it down then we take it away. If this continues thru this afternoon, then I'll definately give the vet a call.

p.s. I hope it's nothing like the golfball thing.

[Guest Anonymous]

The last guest post was me

[Guest roo]

It sounds to me like he is a bit too intelligent,
puppy food is high in fat higher in protien and far more palatable.
light is yuk, low fat low protien....
Try just giving him less puppy, then mix it in with adult,
try soaking the puppy food it will weigh more and fill him more.
But at one year old two meals is just right,
but don't worry too much
Roo

[mouseatthebusstop]

i agree that two meals a day is plenty for a year old dog. only younger puppies need more :wink:

[Aroura]

At least if he's in need of the light formula he shouldn't stave to death!!! :lol:
Before I switched Lily completely to BARF I had her on dry food with fresh chicken every day. She wouldn't eat her dry food (PAL) and got so skinny her ribs were poking out just like those starving dogs you see on TV! I'd spend hours each morning tempting her to eat but still she got thinner. I switched her to supercoat, she loved it and put on some weight. Since putting her on BARF though she has this very strong muscle all down her back, her muscles are really strong and she is eating very well!!!
Apparently adding kelp to a dogs diet improves their appetite and digestion, a good idea for a fat dog that wont eat! Not sure how you could add it to kibble though...

[Guest Anonymous]

we do feed him 3 times a day, but the total amount of food for the day is what a dog his size should be eating. We tried to mix some puppy food with some adult and he would just eat around the adult formula (WHAT A BRAT!!!)We went out and bought Eukenuba the other day. He still hesitates a little but if you turn your back on him, he runs to the bowl and devours it. So I guess we'll try this brand for a bit.

[Carolk9s]

pitbullluva napisał(a):

we do feed him 3 times a day, but the total amount of food for the day is what a dog his size should be eating. We tried to mix some puppy food with some adult and he would just eat around the adult formula (WHAT A BRAT!!!)We went out and bought Eukenuba the other day. He still hesitates a little but if you turn your back on him, he runs to the bowl and devours it. So I guess we'll try this brand for a bit.

Hm, almost sounds like he's playing you with that 2nd to last line. If he's got energy, is able to poop ok, appears fine in other respects, he may just be testing YOU. I personally would not switch brands too often, as you say you will try the Eukenuba for a bit, I would not let him dictate too much as to what he will or will not eat. Both Science Diet and Eukenuba make a quality product, I also like Pro Plan for my pack.
Good luck and don't baby him if he's healthy but just being a brat!

[Guest Anonymous]

He's been eating the Eukenuba just fine. No more hesitating! I guess I'll just have to live with the fishy odor of that food. Why do they have to make it smell like that? uugghhhhh!!!!