New dog not eating. Suggestions?

[i-need-a-martini]

Our new 'pup' (10 months) arrived a week ago and is settling in well. She seems happy and has stopped pining for her old family although every now and then there is a bit of wimpering if she can't see where we are. 

She is drinking water but she isn't eating. The only thing we have managed to get into her is small bits of BBQ chicken skin (vets idea). That is in 7 days!

We called the breeder and apparently her companion (another female her age) also stopped eating but was back on her food by day 4.

Is there anything I can do?

[dwilke33]

I know you weren't replying to me, but from past posts i believe martini has a Basset Hound pup. 🙂

[tasfleur]

"Introduce her to the rabbit.      Maybe she will see it as a companion.

No.............wait.....she's probably hungry.

I dunno"

Stawka ..... 

[Anonymous]

it seems that if the puppy is otherwise healthy,

it is not that unusual:

http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-nutrition/puppy-not-eating

[tasfleur]

Martini, I'm sure your puppy will be okay xxx

[jenni200011]

your  puppy is showing signs of seperation anxiety..Like people changes can be difficult and you need to help the dog switch its focus onto thing it likes to do..Not eating is a common factor when people go away & pets are looked after by some one else..I dont know much about your dog ( breed..ect) ..when dogs are afraid..unfamiliar with new surroundings ..or bored they display behaviours such as non eating..I have had success with a few food stimulants such as most dogs like Puppy wet foods ( pedigree puppy..ect)..Grated cheese and treats such as jerhigh chicken sticks are also a fave with mine..Feeding from your hand ( even the wet sticky food) instead of a bowl is also a good way to encourage and licking the food (ok  for a short term until things improve )Also if its a large breed make sure it can get good runs outside  and isnt inside all the time as the more energy used the more the appetite will speed up..Offer a cube toy (like a kong) stuffed with food as dogs love to keep busy with these ..Vets can provide appetite stimulants such as mentioned in an earlier reply ( nurigel) ect...

Hope some suggestions help

[k0llectable5]

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@jenni200011 wrote:

your  puppy is showing signs of seperation anxiety..Like people changes can be difficult and you need to help the dog switch its focus onto thing it likes to do..Not eating is a common factor when people go away & pets are looked after by some one else..I dont know much about your dog ( breed..ect) ..when dogs are afraid..unfamiliar with new surroundings ..or bored they display behaviours such as non eating..I have had success with a few food stimulants such as most dogs like Puppy wet foods ( pedigree puppy..ect)..Grated cheese and treats such as jerhigh chicken sticks are also a fave with mine..Feeding from your hand ( even the wet sticky food) instead of a bowl is also a good way to encourage and licking the food (ok  for a short term until things improve )Also if its a large breed make sure it can get good runs outside  and isnt inside all the time as the more energy used the more the appetite will speed up..Offer a cube toy (like a kong) stuffed with food as dogs love to keep busy with these ..Vets can provide appetite stimulants such as mentioned in an earlier reply ( nurigel) ect...

Hope some suggestions help

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Those are some good suggestions.

I was thinking have you tried her on some raw bones? Or a marrow bone cut in half down the middle and then in half again so the pieces aren't too big but she can still get the nutrients from the marrow inside the bone.  (Just ask your local butcher, they should have no problem cutting it down for you)  They are normally about for of five dollars each and should last her four meals.  My vet told me if you feed your dog bones, that is a meal they dont really need extra food on top of that for the day.  

I wouldn't stress too much about her not eating, dogs in the wild can go weeks without eating and as someone said as long as she is drinking water thats the main thing.  You could maybe try a little bit of milk or puppy milk with some weetbix and small amount of sugar.  

One thing I will say though is 10 months old is fairly old to get a puppy, she most definately would be suffering a bit of seperation anxiety no doubt.  Give her time, get her into a routine.  Like take her for a walk at the same time everyday for a week or two, spend some time trying to teach her some basic manners, sit, stay etc. Spend some time playing with her, games like fetch and tug of war etc. If you can tire her out a bit she will probably be more inclined to want a meal at the end of the day.  

Goodluck, keep us all posted as to how it is going 🙂

[tulip*place]

Martini, you said the vet suggested BBQ chicken, but has the vet actually examined the doggie.

If not that would be my first suggestion.

As she is used to a companion,  they probably were both fed together and your doggie is not use to dining on her own maybe.

Could you borrow another dog for a few hours and try feeding them together.  

I had issues with one of my **bleep**es years ago and the only food that she would eat was BBQ  chicken.

Let us know how you go.

[bright.ton42]

My dog is often slow to eat but once I've taken her out for exercise, preferably an off-leash  fenced park, she comes home with a good appetite. Is your pup getting plenty of exercise and stimulation outside? 

[azureline**]

I often have my daughter's toy poodle for sleepovers, she is a fussy eater and doesn't usually eat when she is here. I bought little sachets/foil My Dog and she gulped it down! They are small but might get him eating.

[i-need-a-martini]

Update:

Day 9 and she ate a few mouthfuls last night (a fistful of chicken). BBQ chicken is still the only thing she is interested in. We have tried just about most of everyones suggestions 

Yes I understand it is separation anxiety. We have spent a lot of time on the phone this week with the breeder and she says she spent all day with another girl pup and has done so since birth. We have had other dogs come to visit and she isn't interested.

But overall she seems well and truly settled in and is a really happy dog.So I guess we wait. I think I am surprised only because she is a a bassett and food is really (REALLY) important to bassetts.

Our next challenge is to get her to use the kennel...