Anorexic Dog

[kjd]

Sunna is a 5 year old rescue GSD. Her owners lost their home and couldn't afford to keep her. She entered rescue very thin. She is still quite thin.

I'd like to train Sunna positively -- with treats. But her interest in eating food is pretty low. She will get excited when I fill the dish, then lie down with it between her paws until she decides to wander off and do something else. Unfortunately, she recycles her food -- immediately -- which causes me to give her a treat to take the smell out of her mouth. If I pour melted butter or gravy over her food (dry), she'll eat it. Once started, she'll usually finish; although my house mate came in the room once while she was eating. She looked up at him and lost interest in the food (she didn't get up to interact with him, just remained there for a bit, then wandered off).

Right now, I am planning on putting the food down for 20 minutes, three times a day, and see if I can convince her to eat. If I have to return to adding butter, I lose the use of food treats in training. (She isn't that interested in toys either.) Even finding treats she is eager to it is hard.

Sunna is very active, about 5 pounds underweight, and healthy. She is happy and does not seem depressed at all. Her original owners had said she was "off her feed," which we thought was a euphemism for "can't afford to feed," but that is certainly not the case right now.

I've convinced dogs they can eat without gravy using this method, but those dogs weren't underweight. Sunna really needs to eat and eat well. I've been trying different additions to her food, but nothing makes her eager to eat.

Anyone have any ideas? A friend says she thinks there is something you give people with a poor appetite. Is there something for dogs? Or should I just doctor her food until she is at the correct weight and hope she will then like to eat? She should start class in two weeks, but I'm afraid it might be frustrating for us both if she doesn't care to take treats, much less work for them.

[crazycrayonmom]

Have you had her into the vet to make sure there isn't a physical problem? Maybe something with her teeth? I don't know what else it could be. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[kjd]

She has been checked out by the vet. She especially checked Sunna's teeth because the dog runs around with her mouth open most of the time. Also, Sunna had no problem chewing up my slipper's sole and does, off and on, chews rawhide. It is strange. She appears totally healthy and happy; she just isn't into food. Crazycrayon, I would think the same as you, but that doesn't seem to be the problem.

It is now 2 PM and she hasn't eaten since yesterday noon. She's been offered food twice.

kjd

[kjd]

This morning, Sunna continued to ignore her food. On a hunch, I put it on the first step of the kitchen step stool. Success! She ate it all, even though she was a little unsure of the paper bag on the stool seat above her head. When I removed the bag, she came over to thank me, then went back to eating. I added another cup and she finished that too!

I didn't elevate her food because of Zoey bloating. OTOH, all the other dogs ate from elevated bowls with no problem. Anyway, I will try again at her next regular meal. If she continues to eat, the problem has been solved!

kjd

[crazycrayonmom]

Wow! That's awesome. I love simple solutions!

[kjd]

Well, I am hoping that is all it is. She had two meals out of three offered yesterday. However, she may only be used to two.

Fingers crossed,
kjd

[kjd]

Well, putting the food up wasn't really the answer. However, though she doesn't seem to eat much to me, she seems to be getting all she needs as I'd say her weight is currently good. When I have time, I'll take her to the vet to weigh her.

As I mentioned in the thread about dog food, I have researched some dry dog foods and will be experimenting a bit to see if I can find one she is more apt to eat. Meanwhile, she is healthy, happy (as long as she doesn't have to go to a new home), and very sweet!

kjd