She won't eat

[Lyndsey]

Hi guys,

Well we have had Ruby for about 1 and a half months now. When we go her she was already being fed on butchers tripe mix in the morning then JWB later. I was advised by the vet that dry is best plus she has mr whippy's off the butchers stuff. Anyway been trying two ween her off the butchers slowly, mixed it in the JWB, then just gave it her everyother day. She started to refuse the JWB and waited untill I gave her the butchers which was then everyother day.
Anyway we decided to just go cold turkey with her as she learnt to just wait for the butchers. The last butchers I gave her was friday and since then I have seen her eat very little. She has also been sick {just bile} so I know she is hungry. I've tried mixing abit of warm water with the JWB as reccomended here but she just isn't interested. Now everytime I go near the kitchen she moans for her butchers. Any idea's.
She also had raw chicken wings 2-3 times a week and no problems there so I know its the butchers that gives her mr whippys.

What should I do ?

[jools]

Bloody dogs!  I think I'd go back to mixing the JWB and Butchers together and gradually reduce the amount of Butchers and increase the amount of JWB. I wouldn't give her Butchers on it's own or she'll think it's back to stay and then start waiting for it to come around.

Poppy was being a bit fussy for a while. I realised that she just wasn't hungry enough - she was getting the odd biscuit and stuff, so her real food wasn't that important. As soon as i cut the other stuff right back, she got better.

Is she OK in every other way? Just wondering if there's any other reason she's refusing her food.

[Lyndsey]

Yep totally fine in every other way, she is just really missng her butchers.
She is laying down by the cupboard door its kept in and looking really sorry for herself.
I don't want her to be hungry so I think I'll just giver her the smallest amount mixed with the JWB.
Apart from her chicken wings she realy has't eaten much since friday and I'm getting worried she'll
keep it up till I cave in.

Any other advise is welcome though x x x

[Vivienne]

I find WHistler sometimes goes days so i either add a gravy to his Natures Best or, grated chees, only a little but he cannot resist it.

Viv

[fenn2006]

They are little devils sometimes. Before she was on steroids Fenn would eat a certain amount of her JWB mixed with Natures menu then would keep going over to the fridge wanting something else.  I have now taken to standing overher and that tends to get her to eat.

I know the vets say biscuit is best but a little of what they like is not going to do them any harm...have you thought of trying the nature diet or natures menu with the biscuit? Her belly may be able to cope with that better

[Cob-Web]

Yep totally fine in every other way, she is just really missng her butchers.
She is laying down by the cupboard door its kept in and looking really sorry for herself.
I don't want her to be hungry so I think I'll just giver her the smallest amount mixed with the JWB.
Apart from her chicken wings she realy has't eaten much since friday and I'm getting worried she'll
keep it up till I cave in.

Any other advise is welcome though x x x

She will not starve herself......so stay strong 

keep offering her the JWB with a little warm water each mealtime - lift it after 20 minutes until the next meal, and cut out training treats/rewards or use JWB for that as well 

[jools]

I'd cut out the chicken wings too, until she starts eathing again. they are a meal in themselves 

[Lyndsey]

Thanks guys, I added the smallest amount of butchers and really mixed it in with her JWB.
Little minx was at first just sucking everything off the JWB then spitting it out and moving on to the next
bit and doing the same thing !!!

I left her to it and she has now eaten everything.

Good idea about lifting the food after 20 mins or so, I take it this makes them learn "have it now or you'll go without till later" ?

If it wasn't for the mr whippys I wouldn't have a problem. I haven't herd of "natures menu/diet" ?
Any info would be appreiciated x x x

[jools]

Poppy used to do the licking the meat off the dry food too 

Natures menu / diet is all completely natural ingredients and is available in pets at home. I know the puppy one comes in a tray type thing rather than a can and it is fab.

By the way, I had to lift Poppy's food after 20 minutes and it has worked. At one stage the only way she'd eat was if I was feeding her off a fork 

[Lyndsey]

Off a fork  wow.

I'll have alook for natures menu, she seems settled now and has removed herself from laying by the kitchen cupboard.
God the things we do for our K9 family members eh........................... worth it though isn' it 

[Vivienne]

Its natures best I get it from Pet City but it is expensive its part of the Hills Science Plan stuff, really good all natural incredients.  It works for Whistler.

Viv

[jessnjimmy]

I know what you mean about Butchers, my two are fed it regularly (the tripe ones) and Jimmy howls while I'm preparing it   I'm surprised it gives your dog mr whippys though as it has the opposite effect with my two - poo like rocks